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Reviews of Palmar Beach Lodge

Red Frog Beach, Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro, Panama

#29 of 54 hotels in Bocas del Toro

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 301 hotel reviews

8.8

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.2

  • Comfort

    9.2

  • Location

    9.4

  • Facilities

    8.9

  • Staff

    8.9

  • Value for money

    8.4

  • Free WiFi

    7.7

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 23 August 2025

    10
    Place in Paradise. Go there, stop looking :)
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Beach Cabana with AC
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room (Biriba) smelled mouldy, we didn't spot any mould (like really, 0). I guess it's really hard to keep that smell from the rooms since they have 100% humidity every day all year long. Anyhow, just wanted to let you know.

    Palmars is right in front of red frog beach. You can roll out of bed and right into the sea. The beach is beautiful and you can enjoy it even before and after any day guests arrive, which is super cool. We loved our room and how the hotel looks, everything is super clean and staff at the reception was super friendly. Probably the best employee there is Isaac who seems to run the water taxis from and to the hotel, he is a super cool dude. Drop him a tip if you go there, he deserves it.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 August 2025

    8.0
    Great location on the beach with nice, but overpiced rooms
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Beach Cabana with Ocean Breeze
    • Stayed 3 nights

    I had to pay almost 50 dollars extra compared to what I booked at booking.com. When I complaind they said it was tax, while my reservation said it was including all taxes. They were very strict and unfriendly about it. Immersive room in the jungle (for $ 165 per night) is not really special since every room and bungalow is in the jungle and the balcony is very small. Bed was good but also too small. The best thing about it was the airco. The 600 m path to the hotel is not suitable for suitcases, so make sure they come and pick you up!

    The location is great of course! Food was very good and for a good price and the beach area for the restaurant was nice. And it was nice that were umbrella's with the rooms while it can rain heavily in the evening.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 August 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Safari Tent
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing!

    The property was gorgeous! Our family had a jungle immersion room and a canvas cabin - we loved them both. Staff were friendly and helpful. The food at the restaurant was delicious.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 August 2025

    10
    10/10
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Rainforest Tent - Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    The lodge is situated directly in the jungle, you are truely surrounded by nature and forest sounds. The architecture and design of the lodges are amazing. The staff - 10/10. Amazing customer service and all 10s. We got upgraded from the rainforest tent to a double room with air con which was a life saver. Special shout out to Gregory and the bar guy - who does the most and makes amazing pina coladas. The food was also one of the best meals we’ve even eaten.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 August 2025

    9.0
    Lovely stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Beach Cabana with AC
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Only one restaurant option for lunch and dinner which is fine but it’s the same menu for both meals

    Really secluded spot and felt like you were in the middle of a jungle

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in Premium 8-Bed Dorm with AC
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    - Resort in the middle of the jungle, great to disconnect for a few days and explore the beaches nearby. - Good beds

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 July 2025

    9.0
    We much enjoyed our stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Rainforest Tent - Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Taking a water taxi into the main island sets you back 8$ per person one-way so plan your outings

    Beautifully located on the beach

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 June 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Beach Cabana with AC
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Everything

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 June 2025

    10
    Best stay ever!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Rainforest Tent - Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing. Absolutely LOVED it!

    EVERYTHING! There is great detail to every aspect of the grounds and the staff is exceptional and the food is delicious and the location is private and secluded. Strawberry poison dart frogs everywhere and we even saw a sloth moving around like crazy! BEST STAY EVER!!

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 May 2025

    10
    Great overall vibe.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Beach Cabana with AC
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The walk from the boat to the hotel and no lights.

    Well polished, modern, and hot water.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 5 May 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in Premium 8-Bed Dorm with AC
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Sea is rough with strong currents but there is a lifeguard. Not much to do if it's raining, evening entertainment can be improved. Dorm room gets dirty easily with sand so can do with more regular cleaning.

    Very friendly restaurant staff, sun loungers on the beach with included beach towels, great food and drinks - large portions, free polo beach hike, yoga studio. Great location as no other hotels on the beach except day trippers.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 April 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Beach Cabana with Ocean Breeze
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Whereas the service was super friendly, extremely friendly in fact, it was a little bit chaotic. Not probably organised.

    Is the location is on a beautiful beach on the island. The cabins are tastefully done. The food was very very good - fresh tuna, salads, chicken.. you won't miss other restaurants

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 April 2025

    9.0
    Fantastic beach/rainforest experience!
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Beach Cabana with Ocean Breeze
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Our beach cabana was a bit dark (due to the rainy weather). Prices are high, even during the contraction works.

    Fantastic location at the beach! Nice (barefoot) dinner in the open restaurant on the beach. Lovely people. Great service. And a really nice experience to sleep in a cabana surrounded by nature.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 March 2025

    8.0
    would come back.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Dorm with AC
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    sadly the Yoga lessons weren‘t every day but apart from that I had a great stay. Besutiful location and great staff.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 26 March 2025

    8.0
    Pleasant beach-front stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in Premium 8-Bed Dorm with AC
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    My biggest disappointment was when someone was very sick with symptoms of norovirus in my dorm the first night, I informed the desk and asked if they could do extra cleaning. Several hours later no one had been in to clean the dorm. I didn’t feel that anyone took it seriously or seemed to care if anyone else got sick too. To be clear, I don’t know if the guest had norovirus, nor am I suggesting they got it at the hotel, but in a dorm, it’s important to take it seriously to protect all guests. Hotel is under renovation. They make it clear when you book to expect this so it’s not a surprise. Not a problem so much as to just be aware that there are minor inconveniences temporarily.

    The location is wonderful and all of the food is very good. I stayed in the cabin dorm which is very nice and felt private behind the curtain. Each bed has a window which is a nice touch. It rained for much of my 4 day stay, but it’s still a lovely hotel to wait out the rain.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 March 2025

    8.0
    Really nice hotel by the beach
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Rooftop Terrace Jungle Immersion with AC
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room had a bit of a moldy smell.

    The jungle immersion rooms are beautiful and well designed. Nicer in reality than in pictures.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 March 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Rainforest Tent - Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was really beautiful and a little paradise. So many little red frogs. The volunteer Leona was so nice and super helpful!

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 March 2025

    10
    Don’t hesitate to stay here. You will have a great time!
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • King Beachside Bungalow with AC
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    They were under construction but even so, it was still a great time.

    Palmar is an absolutely gorgeous facility right on a beautiful beach in Bastimentos. The room was perfect and comfortable and the staff were exceptional. Everyone was so helpful and friendly, it was a great stay. If you have time also book a massage with Leo. He is magical.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 March 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful - all round.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Beachside Bungalow with AC
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Excellent food. Outstanding location.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 March 2025

    8.0
    I had an awesome stay, would have graded it higher if price during works had been fairer
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Beach Cabana with AC
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I believe the price is just way too high. 200 dollars for a cabin that was very simply appointed is exaggerated, even in this location. They didn’t lower the price despite having works ongoing and disturbing the quietness of the surroundings. If you’re going to impose inconvenience, even for the right purpose (renovations and building a pool), at least provide some discount. Value for money wasn’t the best, but I didn’t care as I was there only for one night and I couldn’t be asked to withstand a subpar hotel on the main island. I felt the food was okay, but I mostly liked the barbecue burger, the rest was just okay and again too expensive for Panama (location premium). So were the drinks, but their happy hour is good.

    Location is absolutely stunning. The beach is beautiful, and there’s a trail that goes to a dreamy beach a 20-30 minute walk away. The room (I had a cabin) was clean and simple, with a comfortable bed and a great shower for the location (nice products too). Being in the jungle was awesome, waking up to the sound of birds and frogs. I saw several red frogs (don’t touch!) on the leaves surrounding my cabin, it felt really unspoiled. Breakfast was very simple but at least, not too expensive and with some variety. Staff was very young on average, cheerful and high energy, although sometimes a bit distracted. I really liked Ernest, Gregory and a third guy whose name I forgot (a bit shorter), they were kind and had a nice conversation (I was travelling solo). The front desk girl whose name I forgot is a sweetheart too, so great job Palmar. Very easy to get to with the boat arranged in advance, and to leave with any of the taxi boats waiting at the pier (8 dollars each way).

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 March 2025

    9.0
    One of the best places to stay in Bocas
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Beach Cabana with Ocean Breeze
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was understaffed, so sometimes a lot of waiting time, especially for dinner. I didn't like that a lot of guests from other hotels were using the sunbeds all day without much consumption, so there was not much space for the actual guests of the hotel.

    Love the beach, the facilities, the rooms were very nice. Good food and every day different activities. Very friendly staff.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 March 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in Premium 8-Bed Dorm with AC
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Food good,comfortable dorm beds,hot showers, free clean drinking water. Quiet. Excellent beaches

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 28 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Safari Tent
    • Stayed 4 nights

    The beach is terrific and the water super clear

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 February 2025

    8.0
    Lovely beach resort, directly on the beach, very very nice meals at resonable price and very kind staff. Rooms very pric
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Beach Cabana with AC
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very pricy rooms for what they offer ( at other beach location we had better equiped room for half the price) our expensive room at Palmar had no fridge or hairdryer. But it was very nice room, just smelled very moldy when we arrived. Building noise during the whole day… but had a price reduction for it The beach is very dangerous, we experienced 3 ladies nearly drawning, very strong undercurrant.

    Lovely location right on the beach, rooms/ huts in the jungle, meals at the beach bar, really good food at resonable price, very kind and helpful staff. Nice evening programm and volunteer taking us to Polobeach. Thank you catering staff ( Elio & Mathew) and thank you Pablo for the nice walk and bomfires. Thank you Alexandra at reception for your great service.

    Stayed in February 2025

Showing 1 – 25

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