Nayara Bocas del Toro – Panama
Imagine a private island in an untouched corner of the Caribbean, part of a pristine archipelago of thousands of islets, surrounded by coral, mangroves and crystalline waters. Add to this a luxury boutique resort, with overwater villas, and even an overwater white sand beach, and you’re getting pretty close to paradise.
Bocas del Toro is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, thanks to its incredible biodiversity – you’re surrounded by a wonderful array of flora, fauna and marine life, and at night the bioluminescence is something else. With the resort’s Balinese style living, where the designers have created something between lofty and cosy, and a hugely welcoming resort team who are rightly proud of the beauty of their surroundings, it’s no surprise that Nayara Bocas del Toro has won a slew of awards
At A Glance
Luxury Hotel
Why We Love It:
For its eco credentials and for watching dolphins at sunset, cocktail in hand.Style:
Balinese luxe.Location:
On a private island, on Caribbean coast of northern Panama – close to the Costa Rican border.Rooms:
16 overwater villas around a mangrove lagoon and 4 treehouses, high above the canopy.Swimming:
A large resort pool and the warm Caribbean.Children:
Sorry kids, this one if for adults only!Accessibility:
There are no facilities for guests with limited mobility.rooms
There are just 16 overwater villas here, dotted around the mangrove lagoons. Designed by Bali-based interiors guru, these teak and thatched casitas have high ceilings, large windows and roomy terraces. The canopied beds are sumptuous, whilst the bathrooms are enormous. Seven of them have saltwater plunge pools, and nine come with a fresh water plunge pool and glass floors through which you can watch shoals of fish glide past. And from each one, you can swim, snorkel or kayak.
At a height of 50 feet, and built with local bamboo, the three treehouses have a bird’s eye view of the forest, mangroves and islands. They sit in their own private garden, with a free-standing copper bath in an outside bathroom, and even come with a pulley system for room service. It’s a tough choice!
food
With ingredient fresh from the sea, or organically grown on site or sourced locally, (with the mission of “cero kilómetros) guests dine on an exceptional menu of regional and international dishes. Start the day with a relaxed breakfast poolside at Coral Café, then maybe a light lunch later. The Elephant House is a 100 year old building shipped from Bali and meticulously recreated into an overwater restaurant. Dinners here could not be more idyllic.
activities
If you love the water, and you love nature, Nayara Bocas del Toro doesn’t get much better. Take a private boat (skippered, naturally) to island hop, dolphin watch and cruise through the mangroves. Your captain, who is also a trained naturalist will show you sloths, monkey, rays and turtles along the way, stopping off for some snorkeling or a picnic lunch on a deserted beach.
The diving off the reefs here is exceptional, as is the deep-sea fishing, but if you prefer something more sedate, then a gentle kayak or paddle board around the lagoons will reveal all manner of wildlife. And if you do this after sunset, and the conditions are right, experience the bioluminescent magic. The colourful Caribbean town of Bocas del Toro is just a 15 minute boat right away, and is definitely worth a visit, with its Venetian-like waterside houses, or take a flight over the islands and beyond to see their magnificence from up high. On your return, lounge by the pool, watch life swim by from your villa terrace, or set yourself on a massage table in the Spa.
sustainability
Nayara Bocas del Toro prides itself on its sustainability efforts. Built in a pristine environment, the location of the villas was only agreed after strict environmental studies, so as not to disturb coral or marine life. The resort also works closely with the locally based Caribbean Coral Restoration. Its water, power and waste systems were all specially created in consultation with ecologists, with the majority of its power coming from solar energy and all freshwater harvested from rainwater.
Location
Private island, Panama
On a private island, on Caribbean coast of northern Panama – close to the Costa Rican border. It’s just a 50 minute flight from Panama City, then a 20 minute boat transfer.
