Dinner was amazing - Carmen is an experienced chef and the results show. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming and it was a real delight to spend time with the owners and the other guests.

Stayed in August 2025

Staying at Carmen’s was an absolute highlight of our trip! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed like old friends into her home. The place is beautifully maintained, with comfortable rooms, a lovely dock, and a lush garden perfect for relaxing. The facilities are excellent, but what truly makes this place special is the warmth and hospitality of Carmen and Marcel. They went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed, always with such kindness and care. Breakfast was absolutely delicious and abundant—a perfect way to start the day. And in the evening, Carmen’s home-cooked dinners were a treat—she prepares the freshest fish of the day, and all the guests gather around the table to share a meal and great conversation. Carmen was incredibly helpful with everything, from tending to a blister on my foot to organizing day trips. This stay was more than just accommodation—it was a truly memorable experience. I can’t recommend it enough!

Stayed in March 2025

A very luxurious thing would have been an AC but only to fall asleep. Still with the fan it was completely ok.

Everything basically. Carmen, the host, runs more of a community than a bed and breakfast. Very cosy very nice details and she takes a lot of care of her guests! And she is a great cook. Staying for dinner is recommended.

Stayed in March 2025

Carmen is a great host. She takes care of every aspect including transport to other areas. She cooks both dinner and breakfast and it was very tasty.

Stayed in March 2025

Maybe this wouldn’t bother others, but the dogs are let out early in the morning maybe 5 AM, I’m not sure it was still dark. One of the dogs barks so I was woken up both mornings by this. The only reason, truly the only! for 9 out of 10 score.

There are many places to stay in the Bocas region. Some places you never even meet the owner, you just communicate through WhatsApp. Carmen’s couldn’t be different. She welcomes you with open arms. I have a restricted diet and she did everything to accommodate me. The room was so cute and clean, and the bed so comfortable. It is really a lovely place to stay and she goes above and beyond to meet your needs. Definitely have dinner there! She is a chef, and the food was outstanding and filling for $25

Stayed in February 2025

We loved this place but be aware no AC.

Very pretty location among large tropical trees. Carmen and Marcel are incredible hosts. For four days you feel like part of a family with the hosts and other guests. The breakfast is large and flavorful and the dinners combine great food with fun company. We also had two sloths hanging out in the nearby trees.

Stayed in February 2025

It was fantastic - thank you Carmen! Hope to see you again

Stayed in January 2025

The foot path to Old Bank (and the turn-off to beautiful Wizard Beach) involves crossing the mangrove swamp on thin wooden planks initially. This is not for everybody, and otherwise, you have to rely on boat taxis for every excursion. However, transport via water is a normal condition on all islands in Bocas del Toro, apart of Isla Colon. Another thing, which is not negative but good to know, is that the windows in the main house's rooms have only wooden shutters, no screens or glass panes. There are mosquito nets above the beds, though, and I had no problems with bugs.

I had a wonderful stay at Carmen's place! She and Marcel are friendly outgoing hosts, and the guesthouse has an amazing location surrounded by the jungle facing the bay. Carmen took very good care of me as a solo traveller, suggesting destinations for day-trips and activities to me and catering to small personal needs as an extra-ration of sand fly-repellent or my daily early morning tea :-) Apart of excursions to Zapatillas and Red Frog Beach, I roamed around by kayak and SUP and Carmen also organised to go out as a group for dinner and to watch some live music, which was a lot of fun! Last but not least, she prepares great dinners with different dishes and provides a generous breakfast with local fruit, pancakes, bread, jam, and your choice of eggs. Would love to come back in the future !

Stayed in November 2024

I felt right at home at Carmen's Place. I was treated like a member of the family. From the moment i arrived until the last moment that I left, I felt at home and welcome. Form the generous breakfast in the morning to a trip to another island for good food and live music in the evening, I was treated like family. Some hosts welcome you and then leave you alone. Here, I could be alone if I liked or be engaged with my host. As a solo traveler, I welcomed the opportunity. Carmen and Marcel have a marvelous property, somewhat secluded, while yet folded into the local community, a real experience.

Stayed in August 2024

Locality, amazing breakfests and dinners, friendly owners

Stayed in April 2024

Carmen and Marcel were great host. Their place is like Paradise and they were like family. Meals were excellent and highly would recommend.

Stayed in April 2024

Nights can be rough as there is no fan in the room.

We liked everything about this place, Carmen is a really big spirit, beautiful soul. Worth to mention: filtered water is provided, you also have beers, wines in the fridge and coconuts are available too. The organized tour was exceptional and Sunday night at the Bibi`s was an authentic experience.

Stayed in March 2024

Carmen’s place is between luscious jungle and a gentle bay by the sea. It has a dock where in you can sit and relax or even have breakfast. All the food is made by Carmen, and she accommodated my dietary restrictions perfectly. I really enjoyed falling asleep listening to the jungle sounds, and waking up to sun rising. Both Carmen and Marcel were excellent hosts, helping me out with anything I needed. I really enjoyed the stay especially the evening dinners with all the guests. Afterwards we would sit, drink and chat for hours.

Stayed in March 2024

Excellent location on the island. Easy to take a boat and access to others part of the island. Quiet and peaceful place to hear birds, monkeys, sea at night. Carmen and Marcel are great host. Delicious food cooked by Carmen. Really helpful and kind. Peaceful stay with a twist of magic at the sunset.

Stayed in March 2024

Carmen is very friendly and warm host. We stayed for 2 nights and in both we had dinners there with other guests and Carmen and Marcel. The food was delicious and it was like big family dinner. Carmen is very supportive with all the needs her guest have. The rooms are clean, with hot water, very comfortable beds and pillows.

Stayed in February 2024

N/A

We couldn’t ask for anything more! Carmen and Marcel were gracious hosts, Carmen’s cooking was top-notch delicious, and all the details perfectly thought about. Carmen generously went out of her way to ensure everyone had what they needed and she even went to the airport to inquire about our late departure. Who does that!? Carmen does! Thank you for the lovely and perfect stay! We will miss you!!

Stayed in February 2024

The hosts of this bed&breakfast are amazing! Really nice personal touch, great food, and stories. Felt like being part of a temporary family... a really beautiful place and wonderful hosts. Recommend it! & Thank you so much!

Stayed in February 2024

Not many swimable beaches near by.

IHosts Carmen and Marcel are great people. Definitely went out of their way to make our stay special. Our room was bright and specious. No air conditioning but nice ocean breeze blowing through. Their backyard is the Bastamento jungle and the front is waterfront dock. We had free use of a great kayak to snorkel from.

Stayed in February 2024

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Great atmosphere, great people, GREAT food!! We really enjoyed our stay so much ☺️

Stayed in February 2024

There is an additional 10% fee added to the price showed on booking

Wonderful little guesthouse with jungle hut. Simple clean rooms with sea view. Carmen is a great cook and everyone is eating together . Wonderful day trip to Zappadillo with dolphin encounters are highly raccomended!

Stayed in February 2024

To go anywhere you needed to take a boat, not really possible to walk. Our fault for not doing our research properly.

Top notch breakfast, cabins beautifully designed with lovely details, bedding & bathroom.

Stayed in January 2024

Our only complaint is completely unrelated to Carmen, Marcel and their property. We had issues sleeping both nights because of the impressively loud music coming from Old Bank town that lasted both nights past 4am. Even with ear plugs it was audible. Apparently this does not happen often (we stayed from December 29-31, so maybe it's a new-year thing), but this sound really seemed to be amplified up in the forest bungalow, and we didn't get the relaxing sounds of nature in the evenings which we were looking forward to.

Carmen and Marcel really went above and beyond to make our stay special. We enjoyed Carmen's delicious dinner (she is super willing to cater to your dietary needs, just ask that and the price of dinner in advance), Carmen and Marcel took us out to another local place for dinner and happy hour and we had a really neat experience when they brought us to the bioluminescence area and showed us the 2 types of bioluminescence afterwards. They gave great advice for where to go and what to do, arranged us water taxis whenever needed, and let us borrow the kayak and snorkel gear. We got to see different wildlife, including stingrays and nurse sharks, crabs, butterflies, geckos, armadillos (which live right under the forest cabana) and heard monkeys on our roof at night. On our day trip to Red Frog beach and Polo beach, we saw a sloth! Beautiful snorkeling too! We also really enjoyed our adventurous walk through the mangroves to Old Bank (do not boat to Old Bank when you come - go straight to their place because its a really adventurous path). Their place is really an oasis, and Carmen and Marcel made it feel like you were part of their home. The water taxi to and from their place costs $5 per person (in cash).

Stayed in December 2023

no laundry or electrical drying opportunity but that's part of the off the grid experience

Ideal location on the water, wonderful food, nice opportunities to socialize with worldwide travelers, excellent host, recreational and touring opportunities scheduled by host

Stayed in January 2024

Everything was perfect.

Carmen is a very good chef and host. They made us feel at home, having dinner all together with other guests, Carmen and her husband. She made delicious vegan options (tofu, vegan cheese..) both for dinner and breakfast with also a lot of amazing fruits and pancakes. The location in Isla Bastimento was perfect because far from the noise. You will still hear a little bit of music from old banks during the evening/night but it will not disturb your sleep. Boat taxi to Bocas Town is 5$ per person. It's also possible to use a canoa and a paddle.

Stayed in December 2023