This ecolodge is a wonderful property on Isla Cristobal, about 30 minutes by boat from the Bocas town. Hosts, Amy and Brian are warm and welcoming and have created a sanctuary for guests. We stayed in one of the 2 rooms upstairs (there are 2 downstairs too). The room was comfortable with lots of little amenities (bottles for water, beach bag, place for suitcase, good towels, beach towels). Dinner is communal so you can meet other travelers. Amy serves delicious meals- you can eat lunch on property if you choose to. Everything is fresh, bought from farms near by or that day from town. We did 2 day trips by boat ( it is an hour by boat to Isla zapatilla and star fish beach but loved those outings. Two days we stayed nearby, hiked with Brian on their property- he has planted trees for birds and animals, saw several sloths and many birds; used the kayaks and watched dolphins frolick ( they live in the bay) and tried paddle boarding ( and did not fall off!). We did a walk on the nearby reserve and snorkeled in Brian’s secret spot- no visitors really so the coral is amazing and so colorful and untouched. Some of the best we have seen anywhere and we travel a lot. There is no air conditioning on this property as it is off the grid but there are fans. There are about 15 steps leading up to the deck (so if you have problems walking, beware). The deck has comfortable couches, hammocks, rocking chairs and is a wonderful place to sit and meditate or chat with guests. The dock too has comfortable big seating to relax. There is a small pool, a palapa housing some gym equipment. Their neighbor, Dr Tony was in town and came over with his boat for a boat float at sunset where we sat in bay, watched dolphins and the sun set. Truly an experience that made us feel like we were staying at someone’s home. At night, we would venture down to the dock with flashlights and lay on the pillows and marvel at the stars which were luminous. This is a wonderful retreat and we had the most amazing time here Thank you Amy and Brian for making our stay one of the highlights while we are in Panama!…
It's hard to start writing about this place because there are so many things to say. Dolphin Bay Hideway is first and foremost an experience! It is nestled in a small bay often visited by dolphins, between the mangroves and the forest inhabited by sloths, frogs, butterflies and colorful birds. Heaven! Our room, the Bay room has a beautiful view of the bay and complete privacy. The bed is one of the most comfortable I've ever found around the world, very soft sheets, you sleep divinely! Dolphin Bay cuisine is special, I was incredibly amazed by the goodness and variety of food. I'm vegetarian (and I reported 2 intolerances) and it wasn't a problem, in fact I ate really well. The breakfasts are wonderful…as are the different cocktails! Brian was incredible from the first moment when I contacted him for some information at the time of booking. After getting to know him I can say that he is a wonderful person and a fantastic guide! There are many activities to do, from snorkeling (very nice) to walking with Brian in nature. If desired, visits to the most beautiful beaches in the area can also be organised. At guests' disposal there are canoes and standup paddles at no additional cost. There is a small swimming pool, a small gym and the possibility of having massages at a very affordable price. Shall we talk about bay dolphins or bioluminescence? If you have the opportunity to go to Dolphin Bay when there is no full moon, it is perfect because in the dark the phenomenon of bioluminescence will be spectacular, but even in the case of a full moon, if the sky is overcast, it can be observed. I unreservedly recommend this lovely place in the heart of nature! Frankly, I am dissatisfied with my words because words are not enough to describe the greatness of this incredible place and the wonderful energy that you experience at Dolphin Bay! Thank you Brian and Amy for this unforgettable experience!…
Our stay at Dolphin Bay Hideaway was perfect and one of the best experiences we've ever had while travelling. To start with, Brian and Amy are so kind and gave us such a warm welcome. The food and cocktails were so good. Also lots of things to do (snorkelling, kayakking, hiking, swimming) but at the same time a very quiet place and enough time to relax. We saw many dolphins, sloths and frogs. We can't recommend this place enough, a must stay if you visit Panama! Brian, Amy and the rest of the team: thanks again for this amazing and unforgettable experience! We miss your place!
This little piece of island Paradise was so much more than what we had anticipated. From the moment we got onto the island, Brian and his wife greeted us with top service, and we felt like family. The views were surreal. Before arriving, I was worried that I might miss something (fomo) or another island would be better.. it has everything from tropical plants with so much biodiversity (take the walking tour!) and wildlife. We saw many sloths including one mother with two babies! A caiman, poisonous frogs in different colors, dolphins and so much more. Brian took us off to multiple mangroves and we spotted jelly fish, gigantic starfish, colorful corals, sea horses, barracudas and much more. He never rushed us and was so knowledgeable about all the wildlife. We spent Christmas there and his wife kindly made us a Christmas dinner with incredible drinks. The mojitos were phenomenal and mint was straight from their garden. The room we had, felt like we had spent hundreds more per night. It was spectacular. We had need up staying longer since it was so gorgeous and we paddle boarded, got massages, went kayaking and just had such an amazing time. Must visit and highly recommended!! Five stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟…
The best! We were in Panama 12 nights. The four nights at Dolphin Bay Hideaway (DBH) were the best nights of our trip and we had good experiences everywhere else. Brian, owner/host, did everything to make our stay great. He took us on a couple of nature hikes and taught us a great deal about the plants and animals around DBH. He also took us out on two snorkeling trips close to DBH and showed us what is beneath the mangroves. One day he set up a trip with a guide that took us to Zapatilla and Coral key and a river ride that put us 3 feet away from a sloth. What a day! The best part of DBH was the way Brian and Amy brought together the guests. We were one of 2 to 4 couples staying there (depending on the day) and we would have breakfast and diner together at a single table and talk about our days and then life in general. It was truly wonderful to get perspectives from couples from different countries and backgrounds. We were sad to leave and will be coming back!…
We stayed here for 8 days out of our 2 month trip and it truly felt like home away from home. I was lucky enough to spend my birthday at Dolphin Bay Hideaway (DBH) where Amy and Brian went out of their way to make sure it was so special. I saw dolphins in the morning, went on a chocolate tour in the afternoon and had birthday cake and champagne in the evening. It was truly special. Amy and Brian are the best hosts and DBH has so many fun activities on offer. One day we went snorkelling where we were lucky enough to see a nurse shark! The snorkelling point is close by and undiscovered by all of the tour boat companies so the marine life is thriving! Brian took us on a tour of the jungle, we saw so much wildlife and learnt even more about their sustainable way of living. We were able to try cacao fruit straight from the tree (which was delicious). We also met Brian and Amy’s neighbour who let us make chocolate at his home from scratch! The food was to die for! Every day we were excited to find out what we were going to eat. Amy is a true culinary artist. We also loved the fact we could eat with other guests and learn about everybody’s travels. And also loved that Amy and Brian would get involved. Lets not forget JA and JP! The brothers who are also great chefs and equally great people that made us feel welcome. We stayed at over 10 places on our whole trip and at Dolphin Bay we didn’t feel like guests, we felt like we were part of their family. If they’re reading this, we will definitely come back! …
Amy and Brian have seen to every detail in order to make a comfortable, fun and educational stay for their guests. We enjoyed walking the forest on the property, and learning from Brian about the flora and fauna. The sunrise paddling with dolphins was unforgettable. Amy and her staff mix delicious cocktails and prepare amazing meals. The bed and bath linens are high quality. Each room is unique, all are tastefully decorated and comfortable. You might think it would be boring out away from “civilization”, but there wasn’t a dull moment, there was so much to do. We had great conversations with staff and guests, and we regret not being able to stay longer. We will definitely go back again and again.
Due to the unrest and roadblocks in Panamá we got ‘stuck’ in Bocas del Toro and, looking back, this gave us the time to really appreciate this beautiful archipelago. What is so special about Dolphin Bay Hideaway? In short: the stunning environment and the amazing and genuine people Brian and Amy. This couple has a very special combination of qualities that will immediately make you feel right at home. They truly know how to be hosts and this is extremely rare to experience when traveling as a tourist nowadays. The deal is clear: you’ll become part of the Dolphin Bay family upon arrival, meaning that you’ll spend time talking to your hosts and the other guests. If this is really not your thing: don’t go. But if it is or if you would consider making this your thing for a while (which I highly recommend) you’ll have the best time in their tropical paradise. Brian and Amy run their lodge with passion, dedication and a deep love for nature. They work closely together with the locals on several reforestation projects. But while you’re there they’ll first focus on making their guests happy and comfortable. You’ll always will be looked after, well fed and cared for. When our daughter was sick, Amy checked in on her, gave her medicine and tried to feed her properly. When we wanted to hike and get to know the jungle, Brian took us on several trips. They offer a wide variety of activities but will never push you into anything. Brian knows so much about the jungle, the trees, plants and all the wildlife; it’s really impressive. Upon arrival you’ll first enter a beautiful garden, but behind the house is all tropical rainforest. We also hiked in virgin rainforest on the mainland one morning, private property of a friend. Brian and Amy regularly foster baby sloths temporarily so they can go back out in the jungle. We were lucky to meet a baby two-toed sloth from up close: inexplicably cute!!! We were also lucky to meet frolicking, happy dolphins from up close in the bay, an exhilarating experience we’ll never forget. But also we saw many frogs, birds, plants and flowers (and their two dogs) We had an unforgettable time and highly recommend this place. Thank you, Brian and Amy!…
This was by far the most fun and unique vacation I have ever had. Brian & Amy are amazing hosts and are always striving to make you happy and comfortable. I came with 6 friends and all of were able to sleep comfortably. There we so many activities, we went diving, to red frog beach, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and many more. The jungle setting is gorgeous and Brian is very knowledgeable and informative when walking around and exploring. I will hopefully come here many more times and I’m even considering doing an eco trip solo here. Please come stay here!!!!!! -Jack Geller
I stayed at Dolphin Bay Hideaway for an entire month by myself, and I was never bored or wishing I had stayed elsewhere. Staying here was a great way to learn about other areas in Panama to hopefully explore in the future. This is a great place for families/kids because of all the activities, fun learning opportunities, cool animals, and food options. Here's a brief run through of everything: 1) FOOD: Truly delicious, healthy and varied. Amy and her kitchen staff are fantastic and creative cooks. Breakfasts and dinners were amazing (I rarely ate lunch, but when I did it was also great). This is not your typical hotel food. Truly incredible and flexible if you have food restrictions or picky kids. Amy serves all kinds of yummy tropical locally grown fruits--some of which are grown on the property. Good cocktails, too. On Saturdays, a cool restaurant run by some of the staff serves a great drinks and a fabulous lunch and dinner (menu varies weekly). It's called "No Name," and it is a quick paddle or boat ride away. I actually swam back to the hotel with another guest after dinner one night! Very fun, friendly vibe. 2) AMENITIES: A nice little pool with a shaded lounge area and an outdoor shower. You won't be swimming laps, but it's clean, attractive and peaceful. Dolphin Bay provides plenty of snorkel sets and paddle boards and kayaks for free use. There is a lovely, shaded outdoor yoga and fitness studio which I enjoyed using. There are lots of places to lounge around on sofas, loungers and in hammocks. Water temp and pressure was fine. They provide all the free filtered water you can consume! A 25-acre jungle to wander through, and a GORGEOUSLY manicured and maintained property. DON'T PASS UP THE CHANCE TO NIGHT SWIM OR PADDLE IN THE BIOLUMINESCENT WATER!!! 3) CLEANLINESS: Spotless! Everything is always spotless. 4) THINGS TO DO: Brian will happily take you on walks through the 25-acre jungle property and teach you all about the plants, animals and fungi. He has extensive knowledge. I saw snakes, frogs, sloths, all kinds of land crabs, cool birds, and learned all kinds of things about the local flora and fauna. Snorkeling trips to the nearby mangroves are easy to do and fun. The reefs around the mangroves have fascinating sponges (purple, neon orange, blue, yellow, black) and you might see manta rays, octopi, sea pearls, and all kinds of fish. You can also just swim in the bay and snorkel around (which I did daily). Although there is not as much to see as in the reef areas, I still saw rays, fish, shells, etc. If you want a longer day trip, you can go to Bastimentos Island's Red Frog Beach (gorgeous beach, great restaurant, rougher surf). Or, you can take a 35-40 minute boat rise to the Zapatilla Islands to lounge on the beach and go snorkeling. At Zapatilla, I saw nurse sharks, moray eels, and different kinds of fish. If you need or want to go to town, you can arrange that, too. There are boats and paddle boards at the hotel to use. You can also take a quick ride over to the cacao farm to learn about the cacao making process and sample the goods--including fresh cacao fruit (DELICIOUS). I also went to the bat cave tour: lots of bats and cool caves! 5) HOSTS AND STAFF: INCREDIBLY nice, easy-going, helpful, funny, smart, cool, knowledgeable and just awesome. Brian and Amy rock! Also, their cooking, groundskeeping and cleaning crew are all super friendly and welcoming. It's like hanging out with a really cool family! 6) OTHER GUESTS: Other guests during my stay came from Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, Costa Rica, France and the USA. Everyone I met was incredibly laid back, nice and interesting. Dinner is a communal affair each night a 6:30, and although I had some mixed feelings about this at first, it ended up being a great way to meet new people, hear interesting stories and just feel part of the community. I hugged every guest I met goodbye: it's that kind of place. If you are looking for something like Dolphin Bay but more private, ask about the house rental on their property (GORGEOUS 3 bedroom on the water only a short walk or paddle away). You can eat the communal meals, cook your own meals, or have the staff cook for you at the house. 7) WEATHER: I was here during rainy season. It mostly rained at night--which I found very soothing--or in the morning. Most afternoons were clear, and I was able to snorkel, do day trips, walk in the jungle, etc. Maybe 3/30 super rainy days all day. 8) OVERALL VIBE: Very relaxing, absolutely stunning, laid back, friendly, welcoming, easy, peaceful, fun, calm. No wild partiers or loud, annoying guests :) 9) MY ROOM: I had the "Island Room," which I highly recommend. The "Caribbean Room" is also nice and has a cool loft--perfect for a kid! I did. not see the other rooms below me, but every guest seemed happy with the accommodations. I leave tomorrow and I am pretty sad about it. Not just because my vacation is coming to an end, but because I truly felt at home here, and leaving is like leaving friends and family. I will definitely return, and maybe include visits to the places other guests recommended (Coiba, Boquete, San Blas Islands, Old Panama City, the Canal). If you want a hoppin' nightlife, this isn't the place for you. But if you want nature, good conversation, tons of outdoor activities, amazing food, a clean and tranquil environment, amazing hosts and immersion in the beauty of the islands, then you really should not miss this place!!…
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