Casa Botanica Guidebook
Restaurants
Of course you'd expect stunning beaches, world class surfing, beautiful diving and amazing snorkeling here in Bocas del Toro but there is also a really great restaurant scene in Bocas Town, Paunch and Bluff Beach as well as the neighboring islands! Here’s some of our favorites.
An "in town" recommendation, we eat here every time we visit the island. They often have live music.
20 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
El Ultimo Refugio
An "in town" recommendation, we eat here every time we visit the island. They often have live music.
This Off Island favorite is on Isla Caranero. Its a great restaurant and place to enjoy the sunset color in the sky, or just to gorge on local shrimp. It's an easy water taxi ride away or a good place to stop if you’re headed home from Red Frog beach feeling hungry.
15 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Bibi's
This Off Island favorite is on Isla Caranero. Its a great restaurant and place to enjoy the sunset color in the sky, or just to gorge on local shrimp. It's an easy water taxi ride away or a good place to stop if you’re headed home from Red Frog beach feeling hungry.
This is off island on Caraneros so you'll need to take a water taxi to get there. A great vegetarian option and combined with a hike on the drop dead gorgeous southeast side of the island this would make a spectacular early day activity.
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Leaf Eaters Cafe
This is off island on Caraneros so you'll need to take a water taxi to get there. A great vegetarian option and combined with a hike on the drop dead gorgeous southeast side of the island this would make a spectacular early day activity.
This is a great place to go when you don't feel like making the effort to go to town to eat...bonus, it's walking distance from the villa.
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ciao Pizza
Monkey Tree DriveThis is a great place to go when you don't feel like making the effort to go to town to eat...bonus, it's walking distance from the villa.
Down the road toward Paunch and Bluff Beach you'll find some great dining/drinking spots. A super fun day is to take the golf cart and meander your way, stopping here and there for cold refreshments, to the very end of the road where you’ll find a lovely stretch of beach to enjoy in near seclusion.
Bluff Beach Road
Bluff Beach RoadDown the road toward Paunch and Bluff Beach you'll find some great dining/drinking spots. A super fun day is to take the golf cart and meander your way, stopping here and there for cold refreshments, to the very end of the road where you’ll find a lovely stretch of beach to enjoy in near seclusion.
On Bluff Beach. They do a nice job with the food and are pretty much always open and serving. It’s best to take a cab here. They are very happy to help you arrange this.
Oasis Bluff Beach
Bluff Beach RoadOn Bluff Beach. They do a nice job with the food and are pretty much always open and serving. It’s best to take a cab here. They are very happy to help you arrange this.
Lovely place, great food and vibe, the "refined" surf crowd tends to stay here, Good proximity to challenging waves.
The Hummingbird
Bluff Beach RoadLovely place, great food and vibe, the "refined" surf crowd tends to stay here, Good proximity to challenging waves.
A great place in Drago Beach to grab some food either on your way into Starfish beach or as you leave.
Yarisnori
A great place in Drago Beach to grab some food either on your way into Starfish beach or as you leave.
We will often take an ATV down the road to Bluff Beach and stop at the bars along the way. La Coralina Beach Clubs is one of the best spots, you can sit and have a great lunch and watch some serious surfing. As you go further down toward Bluff you'll see areas on the side of the road to pull off and go enjoy your own private section of beach. Where else in the world can you do that??
La Coralina Beach Club
We will often take an ATV down the road to Bluff Beach and stop at the bars along the way. La Coralina Beach Clubs is one of the best spots, you can sit and have a great lunch and watch some serious surfing. As you go further down toward Bluff you'll see areas on the side of the road to pull off and go enjoy your own private section of beach. Where else in the world can you do that??
Arboloco
Great Restaurant down the road toward Bluff Beach!
This is one of the newest additions to the in town restaurant scene. It has a higher price point so this may be your special event restaurant choice.
Pepe Chupete
This is one of the newest additions to the in town restaurant scene. It has a higher price point so this may be your special event restaurant choice.
If you’re feeling hungry for some Italian Trattoria food this is your place. Friendly owners and reliable fare.
Trattoria Pane e Vino
If you’re feeling hungry for some Italian Trattoria food this is your place. Friendly owners and reliable fare.
A new addition from the folks at Coco Fastronomy. Both spots are worth a try!
Coco Fastronomy - La Pescaderia
A new addition from the folks at Coco Fastronomy. Both spots are worth a try!
This is a close by spot, an easy walk for a good coffee and healthy breakfast/lunch fare or Sunday Brunch. They also offer Yoga on the floor above the restaurant on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30.
Dosha organic cafe
This is a close by spot, an easy walk for a good coffee and healthy breakfast/lunch fare or Sunday Brunch. They also offer Yoga on the floor above the restaurant on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30.
This is a nice section of beach to enjoy, especially as a part a fun beach bar crawl day down the road to bluff!
Bom Bom Beach Bar at Island Plantation
This is a nice section of beach to enjoy, especially as a part a fun beach bar crawl day down the road to bluff!
A local favorite for amazing tacos on Carenero Island, a two minute water taxi ride from Bocas Town.
Receta Michilá
A local favorite for amazing tacos on Carenero Island, a two minute water taxi ride from Bocas Town.
Just down the road from us on Paunch Beach is this new stunner of a resort. You can eat there, get a day pass or participate in some of the classes they offer throughout the week. The architect is the same as we used for Casa Botanica.
The Coralina
Just down the road from us on Paunch Beach is this new stunner of a resort. You can eat there, get a day pass or participate in some of the classes they offer throughout the week. The architect is the same as we used for Casa Botanica.
Raw Fusion
Calle 1aJust in case you’re craving sushi
Octo
Caribbean Grill
Amaranto
Calle 1aGood spot for grab and go coffee and breakfast.
I purchase all my bread here but it’s also a great place for some grab and go breakfast and lunch.
La Ranita Bakery Cafe
I purchase all my bread here but it’s also a great place for some grab and go breakfast and lunch.
Argentinian coffee shop and bakery, easy in and out and on the road to town.
Panis -a bakery exploration-
Argentinian coffee shop and bakery, easy in and out and on the road to town.
Rentals
Renting a bike for your entire stay can make any frustrations of getting a cab a non issue! If you’re really fit you can get a fat tire bike and ride to Bluff, otherwise an E-bike would be a good choice!
Bocas Ebikes
2nd StreetIn addition to dive school La Buga has snorkel gear, kayaks, surf board rentals, etc!
For snorkeling a nice option is to jump on a La Buga dive trip or book a private adventure on their trimaran.
Great news, the taxis are all pick up trucks so you can throw your groceries, bikes, surf boards, kayaks etc. in the back as needed!
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
La Buga Dive & Surf
In addition to dive school La Buga has snorkel gear, kayaks, surf board rentals, etc!
For snorkeling a nice option is to jump on a La Buga dive trip or book a private adventure on their trimaran.
Great news, the taxis are all pick up trucks so you can throw your groceries, bikes, surf boards, kayaks etc. in the back as needed!
ATV Rental
One of our favorite activities is to take an ATV down the road toward Bluff Beach and make a stop at all the bars along the way, Beach Bar Crawl! La Coralina Beach Club is one of the stops, you can sit and have a great lunch and watch some serious surfing. As you go further down toward Bluff you'll see areas on the side of the road to pull off and go enjoy your own private section of beach.
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Flying Pirates
ATV Rental
One of our favorite activities is to take an ATV down the road toward Bluff Beach and make a stop at all the bars along the way, Beach Bar Crawl! La Coralina Beach Club is one of the stops, you can sit and have a great lunch and watch some serious surfing. As you go further down toward Bluff you'll see areas on the side of the road to pull off and go enjoy your own private section of beach.
Flying Pirates e-bike rentals
We offer this 6 person golf cart to our guests for an additional fee. Please go to the CasaBotanicaPanama site for more information or to book the golf cart. If you are a larger group additional golf carts can be rented in town.
Casa Botanica Panama
We offer this 6 person golf cart to our guests for an additional fee. Please go to the CasaBotanicaPanama site for more information or to book the golf cart. If you are a larger group additional golf carts can be rented in town.
Nature and Eco Tours
Here’s some ideas to get you thinking about what you might want to do while visiting Bocas del Toro. We can help you fine tune your ideas and pair you with the people to help get you out and about having fun adventures and experiences. Please don’t book those boat tours in town, they do not respect the marine life or the environment. It’s really horrible and I hate the thought of supporting them.
We can do so much better!!
Take a water taxi from Bocas to Old Bank on Bastimentos Island and take the 15 minute hike up the hill to this charming organic family farm. 2 hours tours include a tasting of their cacao and a snack. You can combine this with a walking tour of the island, to truly experience the locals lifestyle. Will, our house manager, is a great guide for this trip. It’s really a delightful expereince.
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Up In The Hill
Take a water taxi from Bocas to Old Bank on Bastimentos Island and take the 15 minute hike up the hill to this charming organic family farm. 2 hours tours include a tasting of their cacao and a snack. You can combine this with a walking tour of the island, to truly experience the locals lifestyle. Will, our house manager, is a great guide for this trip. It’s really a delightful expereince.
This is a lovely homestead and chocolate farm. You can combine this with a tour to the Monkey Island Rescue and a short stop for some snorkeling and you’ve got a wonderful day. We can help you put this or other day excursions together, just ask!
Finca Montezuma
This is a lovely homestead and chocolate farm. You can combine this with a tour to the Monkey Island Rescue and a short stop for some snorkeling and you’ve got a wonderful day. We can help you put this or other day excursions together, just ask!
This is one of the causes we love to support but in order to go tour we need permissions. Just ask us and we’ll help you arrange a very educational excursion about issues that are critical to those of us on the island.
Caribbean Coral Restoration Center
This is one of the causes we love to support but in order to go tour we need permissions. Just ask us and we’ll help you arrange a very educational excursion about issues that are critical to those of us on the island.
You can find a boat tour in town or for a more private experience for your group you can inquire with Zaida for Travel Concierge Services. She will plan a trip to this island that will also include some very private and secluded snorkel spots as well as a ride through the mangroves for some essential sloth viewing. She will handle all the arrangements and make deposits for you. Our boat drivers carry all the necessary permits and safety equipment. This is an excellent all day adventure for young and old alike! If you do one thing in Bocas it must be a boat tour of the Archipelago.
Zapatilla Island, Bastimentos Island, Panama
You can find a boat tour in town or for a more private experience for your group you can inquire with Zaida for Travel Concierge Services. She will plan a trip to this island that will also include some very private and secluded snorkel spots as well as a ride through the mangroves for some essential sloth viewing. She will handle all the arrangements and make deposits for you. Our boat drivers carry all the necessary permits and safety equipment. This is an excellent all day adventure for young and old alike! If you do one thing in Bocas it must be a boat tour of the Archipelago.
Personal Chefs, On Site Wellness Services, Yoga and Private Instructors, Lessons
Please let us know what sorts of activities you’d like to do and we’ll happily provide you with all the necessary contact information so that you can book directly with the individual vendors.
If, however, if you’d prefer personal travel concierge services to curate private tours, lessons, health and wellness services please discuss the fees for this directly with Zaida. After an initial interview she’ll put together an activities itinerary for your trip and make all the necessary arrangements for you. Most vendors charge a deposit to reserve their time which we can pay on your behalf via bank transfer. We will charge this to the credit card you have on file with us (or, if you prefer you can initiate the bank transfer yourself, you can get these details from the vendor). In either case final payment in cash will be due directly to the vendor at the end of the activity.
Casa Botanica Panama
Essentials
Shopping in a foreign country can be a travel adventure in itself and can use up lots of precious vacation time, we can help to make the process of provisioning a tad easier with our shopping service. For a flat fee of $50 we will go to the several stores needed to provision and take the items to the villa. Please let us know if you’re interested and if not here are the stops to help you get the things you need. This will be charged to your credit card on file.
This is a small store where you can pick up some quality products, including meat (we do not recommend buying meat in the traditional grocery stores). Here’s you’ll find some nice things including some fine coffee beans from the Panamanian coffee growing region, Boquete. This is also the place for sandwiches if you’re interested in packing a picnic for an outing. You can also grab some nice prepared food for the fridge. On Tuesday after 10 am this is the place to pick up some organic produce.
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Super Gourmet Minimarket
Calle 3aThis is a small store where you can pick up some quality products, including meat (we do not recommend buying meat in the traditional grocery stores). Here’s you’ll find some nice things including some fine coffee beans from the Panamanian coffee growing region, Boquete. This is also the place for sandwiches if you’re interested in packing a picnic for an outing. You can also grab some nice prepared food for the fridge. On Tuesday after 10 am this is the place to pick up some organic produce.
After a shop at Super Gourmet you can come here to fill in the gaps and purchase some booze.
Super Markert ISLA Colon
Calle 3aAfter a shop at Super Gourmet you can come here to fill in the gaps and purchase some booze.
Mini Super La Cabaña
Super close to Casa Botanica for some replenishments or overlooked items.
Here’s the spot to get quality meat—- which can be a bit of a challenge at the regular grocery store, where the quality is really lacking!.
Sabroso Meats
Here’s the spot to get quality meat—- which can be a bit of a challenge at the regular grocery store, where the quality is really lacking!.
This is one of the newer market and has a nice selection of healthy and international options.
Duo2 market
This is one of the newer market and has a nice selection of healthy and international options.
Tutty n Fish Store
A good option for proteins.
La Ranita Bakery Cafe
This is a great stop on your shopping route for breads and bakery items.
Sightseeing
Take a water taxi to Old Bank Bastimento and follow the signs to Wizards Beach. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and pack in your own food and water as there are no services on this side of the island.…only miles of some of the most beautiful and undeveloped coastline, perfect for your own private beach day.
Wizards Beach, Bastimento, Panama
Take a water taxi to Old Bank Bastimento and follow the signs to Wizards Beach. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and pack in your own food and water as there are no services on this side of the island.…only miles of some of the most beautiful and undeveloped coastline, perfect for your own private beach day.
Dramatic coastline scenery, like you’ve (most likely) never seen before. Excellent beach bars and restaurants. Take a water Taxi from one of water taxi stands in town.
Red Frog Beach
Path to Wizard BeachDramatic coastline scenery, like you’ve (most likely) never seen before. Excellent beach bars and restaurants. Take a water Taxi from one of water taxi stands in town.