All photos this page: ©2007 Scott Doggett, Special to WhozHereNow.com

Punta Caracol has it all: a string of romantic bungalows and a stunning thatch-roofed dining area and bar with attached sundeck, all built on stilts over crystal-clear water and linked by wide boardwalks.

The dining room and bar are situated under an enormous and elegantly crafted thatch roof. The furniture is handmade from polished local hardwoods, as is the floor, which extends out from under the roof to provide a veranda for chaise lounges and drink tables (the tropical cocktails at Punta Caracol are to die for).

Each of the guest bungalows is a joyful, two-story affair made of native hardwoods and plants, clays, leafs, bamboo and wild cane. The upper room contains a king-size bed and dreamy seaview, and the lower room two smaller beds.

The color scheme is Caribbean pastels, smartly done. The nine cabins are far enough apart to offer privacy inside and out (each has its own terrace from which to observe the sunset and dolphins).

Each thatch-roofed cabaña has a hot-water bathroom, but you won’t be needing your hair drier unless it operates on 12 volts—the amount of juice the resort’s solar panels generate. Also, you needn’t bring raincoat, umbrella, flashlight, snorkeling gear, beach towel, reading lamp or hygiene kit, as the resort provides all of this.

There is also a spectacular honeymoon cabaña, interior photographs of which appear on this page. All of the smaller cabañas were filled on my two photo shoots at Punta Caracol, so interior shots of them will have to be posted at another time.

Stunning snorkeling is a leap away, as the resort snuggles up to a coral reef. Many tours are available to guests, including beach trips, visits to indigenous communities, rainforest treks, motorized-canoe river trips in search of sloths and monkeys; expect to pay $20 to $70 per person per tour.

Scuba diving, yacht trips, airplane flights over the islands and fishing tours can also be arranged.

Rates start about $120/person/night, which are reasonable, given that they include: lodging, welcome cocktail, large breakfast, afternoon tea and biscuits, candlelight dinner (you needn’t be a guest to dine here; just call a day in advance, you’ll be glad you did), use of a dugout canoe, and transportation to and from the airport on Isla Colón.

Because of its location, children under the age of 14 are discouraged. Full payment is required in order to reserve a room. Payment is a bit of a nuisance, but well worth the effort: If you are outside Panama, you must wire money to the resort. Here are the routing instructions for the issuing bank:

Citibank, N.A. - New York City, NY.
Swift BIC Code: CITIUS33
ABA Routing Number: 021000089
For credit to Primer Banco del Istmo, S.A., Panama

Swift Bic Code: BISTPAPA UID: 225259
Account number: 36220486
For Final Credit to: Resort Punta Caracol S.A., Changuinola
Account number: 08-8-04-02198-7

Wiring questions should be emailed to Miss Eleida Stevenson of Banco del Itsmo at ofiplata08@banitsmo.com. Once at Punta Caracol, additional expenses (tips, drinks, tours, etc.) can be paid by travelers checks, cash, or Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Location

Bahia de Almirante

Off the southern shore of Isla Colón

Bocas del Toro

Panama