Los Secretos Guesthouse

Isla Bastimentos


This pretty pink-and-green Caribbean-style home sits high on a forested hill. It's a hike up the stairs from the dock, but you'll find five rooms with hardwood floors, balconies and modern comforts. Run by Frenchman Xavier and his mother, the hotel has a good restaurant too, with healthy options. Two-night minimum.

The lovely swimming pool and rancho are located by the dock. There's snorkeling equipment and kayaks to use, and a complimentary half-hour guided tour of the surrounding forest, which is full of sloths, monkeys and birds. A water taxi costs US$10 one way from Bocas Town.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Isla Bastimentos attractions

1. Nivida Bat Cave

1.56 MILES

One of Bastimentos' most fascinating natural wonders, Nivida is a massive cavern with swarms of nectar bats and a subterranean lake. The cave lies within…

2. Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos

2.11 MILES

Established in 1988, this 132-sq-km marine park was Panama's first. Protecting 130 islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, including the coral-fringed…

3. Red Frog Beach

2.38 MILES

Small but perfectly formed, Red Frog Beach is named after the rana rojo (strawberry poison-dart frog), an amphibian you're most unlikely to encounter here…

4. Playa Polo

2.58 MILES

Polo Beach wraps around a sheltered cove and is protected by a reef. It has good snorkeling. Can be reached by short hike from Red Frog Beach.

5. Playa Larga

3.46 MILES

This 6km-long beach on the southeast side of the island falls under the protection of the marine park. Hawksbill, leatherback and green sea turtles nest…

6. Wizard Beach

3.58 MILES

The most beautiful beach on Isla Bastimentos is awash in powdery yellow sand and backed by thick vine-strewn jungle. It's connected to Old Bank via a…

7. Playa El Istmito

6.11 MILES

Playa El Istmito, also called Playa La Cabaña, is the closest beach to Bocas town (2.5km away), but as it's on Bahía Sand Fly the chitras (sand flies)…

8. Playa Punch

6.68 MILES

Further up the coast from Playa El Istmito and Sand Dollar Beach is Playa Punch (or Paunch), which is dangerous for swimming but good for surfing. It's…