Tropical Island Jungle Retreat

We had a great stay here. The description is accurate and it is a beautiful place. We stayed in the Hill House, which was very comfortable. We pretreated our clothes with bug spray and didn't have any issue with bugs. If you are looking for a relaxing place away from Bocas town, this is a great option.

The reservation was canceled 42 days before arrival. This is an automated posting.

We stayed five days with two kids at the hillhouse, and it was like visiting old friends. A really charming place, with so much friendliness, the beautiful lagoon, were we snorkled a lot, and the garden were we bought saw Tucans, parrots, sloths and heard a lot of monkeys.
We are already looking forward to coming back!! Thanks Lazare, Leo and Dorian for making the stay wonderful!!

My friend and I loved our time here. We stayed in Hill House for 3 days and we kind of lived on / near the dock. We relaxed in the hammocks, snorkeled, kayaked, and swam. Along with some of the other guests, we took a boat to another part of the island and did a short rainforest hike. Getting to know the other guests, as well as the volunteers working on the property, was really wonderful.

The other reviews are quite accurate. The setting is beautiful and very relaxing; it's also quite rustic. I'd recommend wearing bug spray even to bed - the mosquito nets are adequate but the chitras can easily get through them because they are so tiny.

We would have stayed longer if we could have; this destination feels like a true getaway.

Put simply, this property is paradise.

I had an amazing stay and the location couldn't be more spectacular. The hill house is clean and fully equipped.

This place is crazy awesome. The pictures of the reef under the dock ain't no lie - there really is amazing snorkeling and dolphins passing right by the boat house. Caretakers Leo, Dorien & Lazare are great. Considering how remote we are, the hill house is surprisingly well outfitted and bugproofed, and the Internet is fast and reliable.

You couldn't find a truer Bocas experience. We just got here but we like it so much, we're staying 3 months!

It's a facinating place with lots to do and see and Lazare is a wonderful host and seeks to make his visitors as comfortable as they can possibly be living indoor/outdoor on the edge of a jungle!
My daughter said she loved kayaking across the bay to visit the little village (quaint and picturesque yet Ernesto, the owner of the little store lived in the United States for many years and speaks English. He's really nice and brought out food for my daughter to feed to the fish that gather around his dock) because it was above the jellyfish and sea urchins and below the wasps and chitres :-)

Kind of true, but if you want to night snorkel with bioluminescent organisms making trails of light stream off of your hands and feet, paddle board up to wild dolphins, jump out of your second-story window into warm water, snorkel with rays, nice, healthy coral, lots of juvenile fish and some lovely mangrove root environments, and even ride a horse (well, briefly, they don't have the saddle yet but it's a pretty, willing little almost-black horse) you have to put up with the invertebrate life.

In actuality, the wasps make a lot of noise but never bothered any of us though my engineer husband liked drinking beer and watching them make their nests. The sea urchins can actually be held (!) if you're careful though they should be knocked off the stairs each morning before using them to get on and off the dock. The jellyfish are mostly towards the middle of the bay. We snorkeled in spite of them though we usually wore dive skins so we wouldn't have to worry. (Diveskins are a great investment. We used them for the last three trips. They protect you from everything… jellyfish, sun, and chitres). There also geckos and bats but we like those little bug eaters and you sleep under a mosquito net so you don't have to share your space TOO closely. BTW the main bedroom is quite romantic.

The house itself was much more comfortable and better appointed than I had expected. Lazare and his wife live there when there are no guests and make you feel free to borrow anything you need. Lots of charming, Swiss family Robinson touches plus all the comforts of home and some our home doesn't have like a juicer :-) good snorkeling equipment, several kayaks and the paddle board which turned out to be even better than the kayaks, etc. The only missing comfort was an indoor toilet though you can work around that if you are creative. There is even a camping water heater for showering though that seemed like too much bother in such a warm climate.

In all, it was a great, once-in-a-lifetime experience and as comfortable as one could expect to be without being sealed in an air-conditioned room!

The place is a paradise itself!
An isolated stunning natural landscape without tourists, a pristine lagoon with dolphins, coconut palm trees and coral reef under your feet...
The jungle and reef houses are a nice mix of creativity, sustainable engineering, a Robinson Crusoe experience, and a relaxing paradise resort. You are in the middle of nowhere, but the houses are equiped with everything you need to live and have a lot of fun.

Metropolitan people... keep in mind this is not a high luxury resort...this is the real jungle and you should expect plenty of heat, humidity and all kind of bugs.... But it's worth! Relax, cover your body with coconut oil during the dusk, ignore bugs and enjoy the paradise.

Dorien and Lazare were so helpful and friendly from the first time. Thay make us feel confortable and showed us the way of life in the area. Thank you!

This is my second trip to Bocas and to this property, but this time I sent my good friends and room mates to visit for their honeymoon (after Panama City and on the Way to Limon Rain forest). Again, couldn't be happier. For those that cringe at the idea of staying at a Sheraton hotel, welcome to a real getaway. See my earlier review for my last trip details.

This is a fabulous and special place! It's not for everybody - It's not for someone that doesn't like the outdoors and wants to be pampered in a resort. There are plenty of those places, but this is quite unique and special. This is is for people that want to see and be close to all kinds of fabulous nature in a gorgeous and largely unspoiled area, where you might get fish for dinner from an indigenous fisherman paddling by. You will get coconut water a minute after it was chopped from the tree. You'll see an amazing coral reef that's underneath your feet and your bed. I counted at least a half-dozen corals, a dozen invertebrates, and lots of different fishes.

All this with good internet ((website hidden) video works well), good solar power and rainwater or bottled water. I used the Internet to keep up on some work things, learn about coral and the area, and to post pictures that made my friends want to join me.

The hosts, Dorene and Lazare, are friendly and helpful. I took the meals option, which I would recommend, especially for a short stay. As others mentioned, you should read the advice about preparations. By all means take precautions against bug bites. The rooms are well screened, but when you go out, especially morning or late afternoon, use your favorite bug protection method. I got complacent after a couple days and then they got me! But I would go back in a heartbeat and I miss it already. So maybe next year another visit!

The magical reef cabin is even better in person then it is in the pictures. It was a dream come true for us living out over the water for a few days. If you like peace and quiet and sharing your time some the awesome staff and volunteers I'd recommend it!

Beautiful isolated location. Dolphins swimming by and great coral reef for snorkelling beneath the deck.. Everyone there was very helpful and did everything they could to make out stay as enjoyable as possible.

It was great staying at the place and it was very well organized. Pick up from Almirante was totally flexible and easy and the place is beautifully nestled into the rainforest. We loved relaxing in the hammocks and enjoyed the silence and peace in the lagoon. The bedroom is simple, but functional with a cosy bed. The composting toilet and "bathroom" was functional and we had to get used to them. However, it is very eco-friendly and is a great retreat for people seeking silence, totally surrounded by true nature. The owners are also great and support you in every way they can. Just perfect.

Great place for some peace and quiet in paradise. It was great to have access to snorkeling gear, sea kayaks, and SUP so we could go on adventures when we wanted and just relax on the hammocks and lounge chairs when we wanted. It was great to get away from the tourist crowds in Bocas town. While there certainly aren't crowds, you shouldn't expect solitude either. Fortunately this rustic place seems to attract really great people and we enjoyed getting to know fellow adventurous travelers on the shared deck space and during family-style meals. Great experience! Thanks for the hospitality!

After spending two weeks in this impossibly beautiful place, we have returned home with the most incredible stories, wonderful experiences, and memorable friendships. We stayed at the reef cabin and LOVED it. If you are looking for a place completely secluded and virgin...this is it. At Isla San Cristobal you will find the most picturesque landscape possible where the water is so clear that you can admire the myriad of starfish just from the dock of the cabin. During the day we would venture out on the kayak, use the paddleboard, or snorkel. My boyfriend took a pole spear to fish so we were pretty much eating the 'catch of the day' almost everyday. Some of our most memorable moments include snorkeling and coming up close to a huge barracuda, seeing dolphins jump right in front of the cabin while cooking one evening, listening to dolphins as we fell asleep (heard them at least 3 nights), making videos while jumping from the diving board (by far our most hilarious memory), reading on a hammock sipping coffee while listening to the howling monkeys, watching the most spectacular sunsets, stargazing and sipping cocktails as we listened to Papito's (one of the locals) scary stories, going for night swims to see the bioluminescent water, jumping into the ocean in complete darkness with all the other guests on New Years Eve!..I could go on forever! Lastly, we were lucky enough to meet awesome people from all over the world, which made this experience especially enriching.

Yet, while this place can be a paradise for many people for others it may not. If you are afraid of bugs, insects, the sound of bats at night, spiders, geckos, jellyfish, etc..this place may not be ideal for you. If you want to be pampered on your vacation or have the need for a TV, then you won't like this place. The only thing that you need to prepare for are the infamous 'chitras.' They do bite and you will be itching so take adequate ointments, etc.

Items that we would recommend others to take are snorkeling gear (it doesn't cost much and while the cabin does have some it's always better to just have your own) and a waterproof camera! Our best pictures and videos are definitely the ones we took under the water.

Finally, our stay would not have been nearly as awesome without the help of Meg, Irene, Leo, Papito, Dorien, and Lazare. Meg and Irene were amazing and did a great job while Dorien and Lazare were away. The locals that work there are also incredibly welcoming and helpful. From teaching us fishing techniques to helping us find coconuts..they were always there ready to help.

Get ready for the perfect getaway/adventure! You won't regret it!

I´ve had the best time ever and are really grateful that I was given the opportunity to stay and experience this rare, pristine lagoon in the middle of nowhere.

Reenie, Meg (they took care of the place while Lazare and Dorien were away for christmas holiday) and Leo were the perfect hosts, and made it all in all a great stay, you are the best!

I stayed for 7 nights, and the reef cabin is wonderful. What´s better than to get straight out of bed onto the divingboard and jump into the crystal clear water, every morning. THAT´S a wakeup call…

I frequently used the stand-up paddleboard and one morning the dolphins came really close. It was amazing. I had a great time exploring the area and made such great new friends during my stay.

BUT if, you are afraid of the dark, afraid of spiders, snakes, "crawling" noises in the middle of the night and bugs and animals in general. This is not the place for you. OR it is, if you want to challenge yourself and get an EXPERIENCE FOR LIFE;-)
Tropical Island paradise in daylight can be a bit scary upon total darkness:) (amazing starry sky though). And I soon became the laugh of the crowd with all my uncontrollable screams and jumps:)

So if you are up for something different and are ready for a paradise adventure, make your booking. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Tanja:)

My girlfriend and I stayed 3 nights at this amazing location. And while it wasn't as secluded and private as you might like, the scenery and being right on the water make up for it.

The accommodations are rustic but everything works well. The bed is big and comfortable. The room is right above the kitchen and the internet hot spot, so there were people under us most of the time. Also the ladder to the room is steep and often wet, so would not recommend for anyone who has trouble getting around.

The snorkeling is very good, water clarity is 40-50' for the time I was there. There are also kayaks and a stand up paddle board for use as well.

I would recommend this location if you love the water and are not turned off by not having some of the creature comforts you may be used to.

WOW!!! What a truly amazing and special place Coco Vivo is... a magical environment to be sure. I slept in the tent up the hill the first night as I had arrived a day early (with permission) then enjoyed the loft with the diving board into the channel (I mean really? Just how awesome is that?), both with very comfortable beds and plenty of room for my gear!!! Lazare is a true gentleman yet a very savvy businessman... a natural spirit to be sure, really enjoyed the paddling tour out to Dolphin Bay. The food? What can I say other than it was an amazing collection of wholesome & natural smart foods prepared for you and priced quite fairly too - my personal fave though was when a dugout canoe pulled up to the dock to sell them fresh chocolate from the grower itself!! I look forward to returning to this fantastic Eco-Jungle Lodge and feel that along the way I have made a good friend... Want to experience something unique? Then to get the best bang for your buck THIS IS THE PLACE!!!

Thanx Lazare for opening my eyes to a totally different reality than I am used to. See you next time thru buddy. Hi to Dorien, El Capitain & Princess Sophie (hope the puppies & foal are doing well).

Rusty

Staying at the tropical island reef cabin was a beautiful, relaxing and very positive experience. We would have stayed much longer if we could.

Lazare and Dorien are the perfect hosts! Teo, their sweet caretaker picked us up from the dock close to Almirante and we were welcomed at the property with a very warm embrace, like if we knew each other already. They showed us our room and gave us a tour of the property and the projects they are working on.

The cabin has a breathtaking view over the sea and we could see the sunrise laying in our bed. Just gorgeous! They have plenty of things to keep you busy with, like kayaks, paddle board, snorkeling gear, horses and also a boat to take you for a trip if you wish to.

Everybody says the same in their reviews and I'm going to re-enforce it. Lazare's cooking is absolutely delicious! He not only prepares delicious meals, he prepares delicious super healthy meals! It was such a pleasant surprise to find someone that is so health conscious and loves spoiling his guests with yummy food. We ate yummy fruit smoothies, mouthwatering homemade granola with super foods like chia seeds and raw cacao, quinoa salads and a yummy chicken curry among others.

You can see and feel that they love what they do. They transmit a very positive energy and I recommend them wholeheartedly!

I've known Ulrich for many years and he is a fantastic friend and a really great host. He attracts really amazing people around him and you can be sure to meet some of the most intelligent, interesting, and all-around world class people you have ever met whenever he is around. The settings he chooses -- from a ship to a jungle home to -- well, whatever comes next! -- are guaranteed to be as well-appointed as they are unique. Staying at one of Ulrich's places will be a life-changing experience. Do NOT miss!

Jessica is a super friendly, smart, and talented lady who lives on a big icelandic ferry. Ask her about social entrepreneurship!

Jessica is awesome. And the ship is awesome.

And being the captain's gf, I've spent lots of time in the captain's cabin, and can attest to its awesomeness. Especially since I decorated it.

The ship is ridiculously awesome. Be sure to get a tour of the engine room.

Ulrich, one of the guys on this ship, was my housemate for 6 months. He's a fantastic guy, and you'll meet all sorts of wonderful entrepreneurial and creative souls who are that rare combination of being both exciting people who will intellectually challenge you and mature enough to pick up their socks after themselves. The boat is beautiful. As an engineer, I love seeing all the working parts of this retrofitted Norwegian icebreaker, and the views are fantastic. If I lived in San Francisco, I would definitely want to live on the Maritol.