Entire Resort of Bocas Beachfront Lodge "BBL" Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael N.

29 Jan 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Trip

House was as advertised and made for a great trip. Armodio was fantastic! He facilitated every aspect of our stay. I hope to visit again.

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer M.

13 Apr 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

BBL family trip

It was our first time to the Islands of Panama. The staff and communication with the property manger was 5 star! Everyone was so helpful and kind. The house was wonderful, but could use some updating. One side of the house had no hot water all week which was a little frustrating. It was more rustic than I had anticipated but overall and amazing time and a lot of memories! I would rate this overall a 4 star vacation! Thank you ely, Ari and Armodio!

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim V.

14 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

Everything was perfect about this property. Location was private with some beach goers that we shared our days with. The house was very spacious, beds comfortable, and outdoor space perfect. It was a short walk to fun eateries, or a 5 minute boat ride to town The staff was awesome, Armodio went above and beyond to make our stay pleasant. I would definitely recommend this property for anyone visiting Boca.

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janet C.

26 Mar 2019

Location, location, location!

White sand beach out the front door and beautiful views of the water from every room in the house -- This place seemed too good to be true! It was perfect for our family vacation. The staff was so helpful and kind. Catching a water taxi was easy. Our cook was amazing! ... and Bibi's restaurant, just down the beach, was a perfect place to find a refreshing fruity drink!

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2019

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lori W.

14 Jan 2016

Amazing Vacation

We had an amazing time at the Vista Azul Lodge. The house is very big and a perfect fit for large families like ours. The views and sunrise from the house were amazing. We especially like the watch full eye of Armodio, the groundskeeper who watched over our familiy. The only downside is the bugs, we got eaten alive. The kids loved taking the water taxi into town for dinner. Would love to return someday.

10/10 Excellent

Sophie T.

26 Nov 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful House in Paradise!

We had a wonderful stay at Vista Azul. Easy and friendly communication from the host and wonderful hospitality from the team on the ground (Ely and Armodio) who stayed in touch with us throughout the visit and made sure we had everything we needed. Carenero is a beautiful island with a few great restaurants and bars in easy walking distance of the house. We especially loved the laid back vibe at Coquito's, the excellent Sunday BBQ at Receta Michilá and the amazing espresso and breakfasts at Casa Aquario. The chitras (no-see-ums) are no joke on the island, so bring plenty of bug spray!

Stayed 11 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan M.

16 Mar 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Week in Bocas

Very nice property in a very nice location. It is a public beach, but that was no problem. Armodio was an excellent problem solver and provided security when we were gone. His wife makes great bread! Our group of 8 couples all had king suites with baths. Our group has travelled the Caribbean and Costa Rica and Bocas was at the top of the list in terms of beaches, activities and food options. We would highly recommend Bocas and this property. The only issue was the absence of a grill to cook our food. Overall a great trip.

Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

16 Apr 2018

A very special place, indeed!

Vista Azul is the perfect blend of Caribbean rustic luxury and oceanfront perfection. As you can see it is situated directly on the beach, and what a beach it is! Perfect white sand, crystal clear water, fantastic snorkeling just offshore and if you catch it right there are world class waves of just around the corner... although we didn’t time the waves right there were no complaints. Peter was extremely accommodating and communicative in pre-trip conversations. Both Eli and Armodio were super helpful. The ladies who came over to cook were absolutely fantastic, highly recommended! Awesome restaurants just a short walk away, a place to rent surf and paddle boards, and a five minute boat taxi puts you in the heart of Bocas town. Check out the Cosmic Crab restaurant for excellent eats. We will be back!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

18 Apr 2013

a slice of heaven

Vista Azul is the kind of home you see in a magazine but rarely get to experience firsthand. From the moment the water taxi unloads you at the private dock, you feel relaxed and overwhelmed at the beauty of the home and the surrounding area. There is a gorgeous white sandy beach right outside your front door and lush green jungle just outside your back door. The bedrooms are spacious, well appointed and comfortable. The surrounding decks upstairs and downstairs are so comfortable you never really want to leave. We had to draw straws to see who would win the hanging hammock. The kitchen is fully equipped to prepare any type of meal and Bibi's restaurant is just a short walk down the beach. Bocas town is a 2 minute boat ride away. There is a wonderful grounds keeper living nearby who checks on you regularly to see if there is anything you might need. We had a fantastic trip and are already planning a return visit to Vista Azul later this year.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

3 Aug 2011

Beautiful Home

Peter thank you so much for your hospitality, our stay at your vacation home was a wonderful experience. This 5 bedroom house is amazing, the house comes equipped with everything imaginable. We were finding new things for like two days, even water shoes for the beach :) This house is so nice people kept looking over wanting to come in thinking it was a hotel, one person even asked us how much we rented the chairs for. We were a huge group of three families totaling 14 people and we were well accommodated. There are so many things to do on the island that you will not be disappointed. The main thing that made this trip great was the care taker of the home, he went beyond his duties to make sure we were comfortable at the home, if there was anything we needed he was there to take care of it. The only negative thing about our stay at the home was that the main bathroom downstairs was out of order and the WIFI at the house needed to be reset constantly which made it a little tough to research our next adventure. However this was a small price to pay for the wonderful memories we got out of it...

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Stephen L.

23 Mar 2016

Exceptional Property

Our recent stay at Vista Azul or Trentaway's was fabulous. The house is located a mere 10 feet from the Caribbean and is situated as the last dock on this side of the island for all water taxis. The house is so spacious you can get lost trying to find others who are in the house. We were 3 couples who all had beautiful master suites with bathrooms and utter privacy within these rooms and the house. The views from everywhere are stupendous. As for the beach itself; quite clean and semi-private. During the day, many people pass in front of the house and the beach, but at night, it is quite private. Armodio, the chief security, fix-it specialist, lives next door and his trustful dog was always there at night on our porch to keep away any intruders if there were any? Bocas is genuinely a peaceful, go along get along kind of place, so there was no angst from any of us staying there. The only problem we dealt with were the insects you can't see or hear but you can tell they are there by just checking your legs or arms. Nonetheless, we had a fabulous time and ate amazing fresh fish, lobster or crab almost every day. Go, enjoy and let the sounds of the Caribbean put you at peace!!!

6/10 Okay

Lynn M.

1 Jan 2023

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Disliked: Listing accuracy

Bocas - the location, the people and the home

I wish I could write two reviews for this home and our stay in Bocas - one for the people and location and one for the home. Bocas, the place and the people are worth the adventure but the home is not. The people - from Armodio and the ladies who were with us daily cooking, shopping and cleaning for us to our water taxi drivers, the locals we shared the beach with and even the hosts Peter and Andrea - all were truly amazing! Friendly, kind, funny and beyond helpful. These folks made our stay so memorable! The location - oh my! The pictures do not do this postcard beach, palm trees and amazing weather justice. From deck to beach to ocean in 5 easy steps! We loved walking to Bibis for lunch and drinks! The home is a different story. It is truly showing its tropical age. The pictures of this home are easily a decade old - the images and the home we stayed in were quite different. We know that a tropical climate can be hard on homes (we have stayed in our share) but facets didn't work properly, the floors in a few of the bathrooms felt ready to fall through, the cushions on chairs and benches are very old and there is no place to gather a large group except around the dinning table. Outside is beautiful but the bugs (no big deal with enough bug off) made evenings more comfortable inside but indoor seating made this a challenge. The kitchen was so poorly stocked with cooking utensils and pots/pan that it was hard for us to cook even a few of our own meals. I really wish I was able to write a better review but I thought other would appreciate the honesty.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Margaret Dziadosz K.

21 Apr 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property in Caranero Island!

Great property right on the water! The kayak, surf boards, and paddle boards were endless fun for our family. Sizable home - great for a large group. Armodio - was an immense help throughout the duration of the trip. We loved Casa Acuario for breakfast and Bibi's for dinner. Escuela del Mar is amazing for surfing. We saw sloth, countless crabs and birds near the home. I recommend Starfish beach for a day trip as well!

Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

ROLAND P.

6 Jan 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

superbe lieu pour des vacances en famille

Une région à découvrir, l'ensemble correspond parfaitement à l'idée que nous nous faisons des Caraïbes

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alejandro S.

2 Dec 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good Place to stay

Is a very good place to come with friends and enjoy the 7 beds, livings, beaches. Ari cokes marvellous food Armodio is the best Guardian And Peter the best

Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maegen M.

5 Sept 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical

Vista Azul was absolutely amazing! Peter was great in answering my questions before the trip and his property manager Armodio was so helpful with everything we needed while we were there! My whole family loved our stay! It was definitely a trip we will never forget! Highly recommend! Absolutely magical

Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen R.

11 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outstanding location and people

The island, beach and people (hosts, caretaker, cook) are wonderful. Armodio (caretaker who lives next door) and his family made our stay so enjoyable and easy. Ely’s assistance with getting to and from the airport was very helpful. We hired Adi to cook a few meals for us and they were outstanding (our kids are still talking about the tacos she made). Watching the sunrise and listening to the birds on the 2nd story balcony every morning was a highlight for me. The lodge is very large and provided more than enough space for our group of 4 kids and 4 adults. The kids had a blast with easy access to swim, snorkel and play on the beach. We enjoyed an island boat tour, a trip to Green Acres Chocolate Farm (about 20-3 minute water taxi away), morning coffee at Casa Acuario (5-10 minute walk), ice cream and surf lessons at Mukundo (5 minute walk), and watching the sunset at Cosmic Crab (2-3 minute boat taxi). The lodge is rustic/tropical and Bocas is experiencing a drought which (rightly so) limits water use. If you are seeking luxurious accommodations, this is not the rental for you. If you seek comfortable accommodations with easy access to amazing people, activities, some dining and the beach…10/10 recommend. Bring bug spray.

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Caitlin B.

2 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Location

The location was absolutely perfect. Right next to the beach and an easy walk to a few restaurants. Water taxi was easy to take to different islands and the main town. This is the best spot if you want a sand beach and calm water that is easy for kids to swim in.

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer N.

23 Feb 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property

The property and property manager were amazing. Quick to help and assist with different tours and taxi rides. I would highly recommend this property to large groups.

Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen K.

25 Jan 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

wonderful trip

Our overall stay was wonderful due to the staff at Casa Azul. I rented the property to celebrate my 60th and my niece's 25 birthday. Armodio took care of us more than we could have expected, he arranged all of our local transport and our house staff was wonderful! We knew the house was on a public beach, which was not a positive, but the whole set up worked very well. Peter and Andrea were very accessible.

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark F.

7 Jul 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Very Happy Place

The property is beautiful. It is beginning to show its age in certain ways but I can't think of a better place to stay anywhere in the area.

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Peter K.

24 Mar 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great introduction to Bocas del Toro

This is a very nice house for a large group, with 6 superb en suite adult rooms and very liveable group spaces to hang out both inside the house and on the deck. Amodio lives next door, was helpful and provided some buffer from the only negative of the property, the beach in front of the house. As noted by other reviews, the house is on a public beach, which means people can set up for the day within a couple of feet from the front deck. Good news is its mostly locals, not tourists which adds charm and fun, but on the weekend its pretty busy so consider your trips to Zapatillo or one of the other island beaches for the weekend. Importantly, your stuff is secure in the house. Carenero is a great little island, about a 2.5 km walk around takes you through beach and jungle with sloths and parrots on one side, and the small local community on the other with a couple restaurants (recommend the Cosmic Crab). We were there six nites and had no trouble hooking up with water taxis to visit the archipelago or Bocas town. Had a wonderful dinner cooked in one evening for us. In sum, good enough to already be planning for a second visit.

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ruben S.

1 Mar 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation paradise

I stayed at the house for nearly a week with my family after getting married in Panama City. After a week of the hustle and bustle of the city my wife and I looked forward to having to having some quality time with our families after getting married. Ely the caretaker arranged transportation from the airport in bocas. She ensured we had a meal cooked upon arrival. We had hired two girls to cook and clean, and the food was great. The care taker Armodio was also very attentive to ensuring we had any supplies we needed as well as providing us with coconuts. Armodio truly helped us feel comfortable and was attentive to sharing information about the property and the island. He also made sure things were secure when we left the property. A couples things worth noting is that the property is about a two minute boat ride from the center of town. We did not mind it since we came to connect as a family. The beds were comfortable, with ac in each room. And the property looks better in person Our group consisted of people ages 22 to 80 and the front porch allowed us to be comfortable reconnect and truly make memories that I will always cherish. There are a few things to be aware of the mosquitos can be bad so make sure you take plenty of big spray, and even recommended brining the bug candles. And lastly if you are used to taking 30 minutes showers everyday this may not be the place to be. Water conservation is a must. Overall we would stay on the property again and my 80 year old grandmother is talking about coming back next year.

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Mackenzie S.

11 Feb 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Great for Surf Trips - Larger Groups

We had a great time at Vista Azul! It is definitely the nicest accommodations on Isla Caranero and in Bocas from what we saw. There are some small things in the house that could use fixes, but anything we needed to use(such as appliances) were promptly fixed or replaced. We went with a group of 10 for a surf trip. As stated in previous reviews, you are on a public beach so there are plenty of people on any given day and more on weekends. Most will sit on the front stairs and a couple of people daily will walk up the stairs and almost inside assuming it's a hostel. "Lost and Found Items" were left on the front deck by police a couple of times for beachgoers to retrieve later. The property should really have any kind of signage to signify its private property. For this reason, we always locked up when leaving and hid valuables inside the house as we were warned several times during our trip by locals or police of theft in the local vicinity as we had photographers with us and their equipment. It was difficult to gauge from pictures the actual size of the bed and rooms, but the house could definitely sleep 14 comfortably. The beds were good, and each room has a beautiful view and bathroom. As mentioned previously they are on a rain catch system so expect limited showers as it hadn't rained properly prior to our arrival. The property owners were very helpful leading up to the trip with what to expect in Isla Caranero as well in Bocas. Armodio, who was our onsite assistance was incredibly helpful at all times, and on night one helped show us where all the lights were as we sat inside with a pitch black patio, he was always very helpful and accommodating. We frequented Coquitos, Leaf Eaters and Bibi's, and were on the main island for surf at Paunch and Bluff most days. Just off the dock are great coffee shop and breakfast options. We did run into some trouble halfway through the trip with water taxi's charging more if we said we were going to "Vista Azul", so we usually ended up requesting a ride to Bibi's and walking the rest of the way. All in all it was a great trip, and with such a large group we had ample space which is hard to come by. Would definitely stay again!

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Debra H.

19 Jan 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house in a beautiful spot

This is a beautiful and incredibly spacious house that brings the outdoors in. The main room has soaring ceiling and windows, balconies across both levels expansively open the home to the beach. The house is on the back side of Caranero, with a magnificent view out to the ocean. Communication with the owner was easy, thank you for being so responsive and accommodating! Pickup and dropoff, as well as initial grocery shopping were made available, and much appreciated. There is a pier immediately nearby for water taxi access, and Blackrock surf spot right in front. The beach does get people / locals coming for the day, it is not isolated, this is part of the fun. We rented surfboards and SUPs from MonoLoco and kept them at the house to use right out front, and went diving with Panama Dive School based on Caranero. Convenient to everything by boat, and walking distance to 2 nearby restaurants. Really enjoyed our stay!

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

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