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

The most brilliant orange orb slips gently to the horizon. Your boatman loosens his grip on the throttle, the boat glides up beside the dock. You and your sweetheart step off and soon you are reclining in a pillowy chaise, an icy piña colada in one hand, your love’s hand in the other. Out front, rows of tiny whitecaps roll by in silent procession. A school of sardines instantly make a patch of the crystal-blue water boil as they flee a predator and just as quick they are diving and the water is calm again.

In the final rays of sunlight, a pair of talkative parrots fly home after another arduous day of eating cashews, nance and mango. In a moment, you are seated at a candle-lit table and a Spanish woman with kind eyes places a pot of the most delicious lobster paella in front of you. This description of a typical dinner at Punta Caracol doesn’t do the resort justice, because it doesn’t convey the aroma of the paella or the perfect buzz from the piña colada or the way moonbeams dance off the Caribbean. Be sure to make your dinner reservation at least a full day ahead if you’re in Bocas, and considerably farther ahead if you aren’t.

Location

Bahía de Almirante

Off the southern shore of Isla Colón

Bocas del Toro

Panama