Isla Bastimentos, Bastimentos hotel rooms at the Independent

"Loved the setting. Peaceful, quiet, beautiful surroundings. Lots of wildlife. Very comfortable lodgings. But it's not really a resort. It's a collection of villas, condos, and bungalows which are rented out. Still, a very nice place to stay. The staff was tremendous. Friendly, helpful, and always willing to go the extra mile. Restaurant food was good too. Don't miss the spa! "

"Wonderful staff, very helpful by giving directions, booking tours, and providing taxis. The attached restaurant was impressive and the staff also were very friendly and professional. Great views on the decks and the only pool in town! It just couldn’t get any better!"

"My wife and I just returned from a five night stay at Nayara. The amazing reviews you read prior to your arrival will be met with complete accuracy. We really enjoyed the uniqueness of the treehouse where we enjoyed three of our five nights. We spent our final two nights in the overwater villa which was incredible as well. We’ve traveled to many destinations in the past, but have never been met with such kindness and the willingness of the Nayara staff to go out of their way to ensure your satisfaction. Every staff member we met exceeded our expectations. Carlos, Franco, Cheryl, Jesus, Ruby, Jenny and my buddy from Venezuela all made a lasting impact on us that we will always remember. We can’t wait to see you again! "

"The staff was amazing. The food was good. The room was beautiful. I stayed in one of the above water bungalows. The only downfall is there is very little to do nearby. You are pretty much stranded on this island unless you arrange some kind of transport or tour. If you’re looking for a vacation where you can totally check out from the world this is it. If you’re looking for a place to do lots of activities, this is not. Management took care of everything I asked for, including an unexpected early arrival. "

"This was the perfect ecolodge on the water! Maria, who owns and manages the lodge, always went over and above for our family to arrange day trips/boat rides to town and provided amazing travel guidance. We needed to charge our phones at reception but it was a small price to pay for a beautiful and unique Panama experience with great rooms and gorgeous views. We ate our breakfasts and lunches on site but preferred the restaurants in town for dinner. Our teens loved it and want to go back! Highly recommend! "

"This property is a gem! We stayed a week in December and had an all around lovely stay. The bungalows were clean and so relaxing. Everyone on the staff was friendly and went out of their way to accommodate the guests. We went out several times on excursions with Alejandro and had A experiences. Don't bother booking water excursions in town. You can just book thru the resort. In December it was still raining most days, which made the water at the resort murky. However, Alejandro took us to clear locations for amazing snorkeling! We will definitely return. "