Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge

A truly unique location with many kind staff members. But the property appears run-down despite newly painted in yellow and green. We got water down through the roof, when it rained. There was no lock on the back door. Most of the breakfast was good - especially the juice and the beautifully cut fresh fruit - but the serving of hot beverages remained a mystery: Why luke-warm and only half a cup in the pot many times? Most of the dinners were pricy and dubious, like an undercooked lobster and a caesar salad without chicken and dressing, but a tonne of cheese. Is an adult present at these premises - especially in the kitchen region? (Yes, we mentioned all of this during our three day stay. No impact.)

Spent 2 night enjoying the charming Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge . A simple and traditional resort of water villas reached by boat only twenty minutes from the main town . Closer to a Robison Crusoe type experience without all the bells and whistles some other more expensive newer resorts may offer . Very comfortable colonial style sleeping quarters overlooking the water - hearing and waking up to the Caribbean sea and occasional jumping dolphin was very special . Great value room versus competition direct from their own website , good food and breakfast options . Boat schedule through the day if more eating options or night life are required . Super passionate owner Maria was on hand to advise and support . Thank you for a super stay .

This was the perfect ecolodge experience on the water! Maria, who owns the lodge, always went over and above to organize day trips and rides to town for our family. We loved our room and the water & scenery were spectacular. My teenagers can’t wait to go back! Charging our phones at reception was a small price to pay for a unique and beautiful Panama experience. We ate our breakfasts and lunches on site and preferred to eat in town but were impressed with the cleaning staff and the willingness to help. We also had WiFi which was slow but it worked which was a pleasant surprise given that we were in the middle of the water. Just remember that you are booking an ecolodge and not the Four Seasons and then enjoy the experience. We highly recommend it!

Punta Caracol Aqua Lodge offers a stunning, eco-friendly, overwater experience with breathtaking views and a peaceful environment. The bungalows provide a unique connection to nature, but several aspects of our stay left us disappointed. We saved up for this trip to celebrate our anniversary, and while we didn’t expect more than the basics, the unwelcoming attitude of the staff—an issue mentioned in reviews for years—made us feel like an inconvenience rather than valued guests. In an industry built around hospitality, this lack of communication or effort to make us feel welcome was disheartening. We understand there may have been a language barrier, but kindness is universal. With the exception of two older women who worked in the kitchen in the mornings and were always kind and welcoming, the overall staff left much to be desired. We ended up going into town for meals instead of dining at the lodge due to the uncomfortable atmosphere. Additionally, the food is overpriced for what it is, with limited options that don’t justify the premium price tag. While the kitchen is advertised as open until 9 PM, many items were unavailable by the evening, which was frustrating. The boat service to and from the hotel was unreliable, with some guests seemingly prioritized over others. We even had to pay extra for alternative transport to ensure we made it to our destinations on time. The billing also lacked transparency. Instead of charging per meal or activity, everything was added to our bill at the end of our stay, leaving us blindsided by unexpected costs. Furthermore, we were not informed about the free amenities such as kayaks and snorkeling, which guests must physically push and pull from the water using an unstable dock. This process felt unsafe. All charging of electronics had to be done at the reception area, which left very little privacy or convenience. The shower water had a sewage-like smell and left me with a bad rash on my leg. While the setting is undeniably beautiful, the poor hospitality, overpriced food, and logistical issues made our trip far from the dream experience we had saved up for.

This magical place was truly paradise. The staff were so welcoming and kind. The lodge was spectacular! So clean and fresh. Being right on the coral reef was a once in a lifetime experience! The food was incredible and the boat captains kind.