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

10/10 Excellent

Margaret Dziadosz K.

Apr 21, 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

Michael N.

Jan 29, 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

10/10 Excellent

Alejandro S.

Dec 2, 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

8/10 Good

Jennifer M.

Apr 13, 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

Maegen M.

Sep 5, 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

8/10 Good

Caitlin B.

Apr 2, 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

Kim V.

Mar 14, 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.

Mar 26, 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.

Jan 14, 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

Karen K.

Jan 25, 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

Sophie T.

Nov 26, 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.

Mar 16, 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Brandon G.

Sep 9, 2015

dream BIG

Bocas is decidedly Caribbean. Been traveling the Pacific side of Central America and you don’t need eyes to know that Caribbean smell. Save your eyes for the drop dead gorgeous Vista Azul Lodge on Isla Carenero. The archipelago Islands of Bocas del Toro is super unique and its recommended to see, stay, surf & party right here in this home. Its without a doubt the premier home that accommodates both family and friends. The staff will make sure your vacation dreams come true. I dream big so I know…

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

Apr 16, 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

George K.

Mar 23, 2017

Awesome Week!

Vista Azul has views from a post card. Unbelievable and breathtaking, the clear Caribbean waters, open ocean, and the nearby islands make every view spectacular. You walk out of the house onto a gorgeous beach with calm waters. The house has air conditioned bedrooms for comfort and sea breezes to keep comfortable in the living areas of the house. The staff is great and can prepare some really great local cuisine. Easy to get to Bocas Town via water taxi or just walk down the beach to a couple local restaurants. Huge glass windows on the back of the house allow birders and nature lovers to take in a little jungle view with sloths and a variety of birds from the comforts of the house. All the staff from the airport and back to the airport and everything in between are courteous and friendly. We will return! Thanks Peter and Andrea and all your great staff!!

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

10/10 Excellent

Apr 18, 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.

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen R.

Apr 11, 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Sandra T.

Feb 5, 2016

Beautiful Beach Front Property

Our stay at Vista Azul ws fantastic. Everyone took care of all the details to make the stay a big success, and we are very grateful. As you would expect, Ely and Armodio are already known star players. The new cook, Oraida (sp?) also delivered with aplomb. She cooked a myriad of dishes for all of us that were jaw-dropping. Among the huge winners ws a seafood curry that is to die for. It was clear, too, that she was a true professional- -everything always came together at each meal without her even breaking a sweat. Everyone including her always had a kind smile, and extra little tips to help out. The house itself is lovely and has a huge common area for guest to enjoy the floor to ceiling windows that face the backyard. The second level deck has stunning views of the sunset and sunrise and every bedroom you could be lulled to sleep with the sounds of the ocean and the night showers. Thank you to the owners of Vista Azul and the amazing staff who work there for allowing us to stay in your charming home.

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

10/10 Excellent

Aug 3, 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

Anthony L.

Jan 26, 2017

Best residence for large groups on Carenero Island! Step off front steps to the sea!

The Kent's home on Caranero Island is far and away the largest, most comfortable for large families and groups. Located right on the water on the island's windward side, you wake up every day with ocean waves in front of you and sleep to ocean sounds at night. Within sight, you will see surfers learning how to ride waves. The house is equipped to prepare meals or, better yet, have the staff coordinate cooked meals for you! Within a short walk, there is a lovely seafood restaurant, Bibis. Just be careful not to run into a land crab at night (they're terrified of people)! The Kent's local staff is highly accommodative and ably coordinated any boat travel, services (e.g., in-house massages and excursions) or housekeeping we required. We echo some comments other guests had warned regarding eager locals who walk close to the house, infringing a bit on privacy especially during the afternoon hours. But once we grew accustomed to our surroundings after Day 2, we were convinced of how fortune were were to be guests of one of the nicest accommodations in Bocas del Toro. Thank you to the Kents and staff for a wonderful booking experience and vacation stay, as well as your responsiveness whenever we had questions!

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

10/10 Excellent

R Patrick G.

Dec 9, 2017

Outstanding property, great staff, we all loved it

This is the ideal place for a medium to large group to spend time in Panama. We had 5 couples, and a 6th couple for a day. The six bedrooms with good a/c were all equally great - large with private bathrooms and king beds. There are 4 large common area inside, with a bar and a large table and dining area. The best relaxing is done on the beautiful beach or outdoor decks and balcony with lots of comfortable and varied seating. We used the very inexpensive cook and housekeeper 3 days out of eleven. All her meals were outstanding, but our final huge lobster tails and octopus ceviche with coconut rice and fried plantains was the both very inexpensive and memorably delicious. We prepared many meals in the well equipped kitchen, and walked 5 minutes to Bibi's on the Beach for 3 or 4 dinners and excellent happy hours. Armodio, the on-premise caretaker, was perfect. Everything we needed was supplied. Water taxis provided transportation to/from/around the islands, on various tours, fishing and snorkeling tripd. Our group has done many VRBO properties in the Caribbean and other island beaches, and this is simply the best we have found. The owner is a great communicator .Our highest recommendation

10/10 Excellent

Milford T.

Jan 29, 2019

Truly an island paradise

This property was certainly above and beyond our expectations, though we had seen the beautiful online pictures and read every review. Peter was so prompt in answering our questions and so patient with the details, always including even more than we had asked about. Ely twice arranged excursions for us that we felt were incomparable and you need the insider information for the contacts. She also arranged local ladies to cook for us, starting with one evening, then two, then four! These dinners became such an important and convenient part of our family experience. Peter's place is so beautiful and spacious. Everyone of us could do our own thing, and of course, being right on the water with a beautiful sandy beach was an incredible pleasure. Armodio was there to answer questions, help us get fish from locals, show us a sloth, and give us al sorts of information. Ely, Armodio, the local cooking ladies, and the water taxis fellas were all gems. We have traveled a lot, but this was definitely our most special place ever. Big resorts as a whole do not tempt us, so this was exactly our kind of place, one to dream about! Thank you, Peter! All of us agreed it could not have been better.

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019

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

10/10 Excellent

Stephen L.

Mar 23, 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!!!

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

10/10 Excellent

Bryan L.

Apr 21, 2011

Amazing vacation rental.Pictures don't do it justice

Peter has a wonderful home with everything you could ask for. He made us feel like family and provide us with any information we needed before and during our trip. He went out of his way to make sure we had a wonderful time. We had a group of eight with two families ages ranging from 29 to 70's. Every room with attached bath and private balcony was beautiful. The property care taker Arimodio was always available with a smile building us a fire on the beach one night to getting us a fresh coconut to drink out of. Ari the cook was also great she always had a smile on her face and took great care of us. The property location is perfect. Less than five minutes from town but felt like a secluded get away at night and in the mornings. The beautiful views of the jungle behind the house and the white sand beach in the front made this the perfect house. We even got to encounter a tree sloth right on the ground with in a foot of us. Peter arranged Fabian a local water taxi guy to take us around when ever we needed and took us on tours all over the islands. Peter also arranged varrious fishing tours with some of his friends. Even caught my first tarpin..150lbs!! We will definitely be coming back to this location. Bocas is a wonderful place and the secret will shortly be out on this beautiful destination. Thank you again Peter for the wonderful vacation.

6/10 Okay

Lynn M.

Jan 1, 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

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