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El Clandestino

Lodge

isla san cristobal Bocas del toro

hotel
hotel

Why people book this hotel

Friendly staff
12 mentions

Free access to paddle boards and kayaks, fantastic food, and friendly staff

The owner Andy with the guest, the good vibe and friendly environment

Breakfast available
4 mentions

If you’re lucky you can see dolphins passing by while eating breakfast

Our time at El Clandestino was really nice escape from reality 🥰 We stayed he…

Good value
3 mentions

Food was excellent and drinks were reasonable priced

Keep in mind that prices are ex tax and you pay a 10 dollar fee if you pay by cr…

Comfortable rooms
3 mentions

In front of the room there is a beautiful coral reef with lot of fish

View from the room was beautiful

Great location
2 mentions

☺️ Its true the island is not walkable but this allows you to completely immers…

Location on isla san cristobal near dolphin bay is remote and peaceful but many …

Clean rooms
2 mentions

Beautiful area, clean, dolphin spotting from the terrace, free use of wooden can…

The unique feature of a coral reef directly beneath the bungalow provides an imm…

Overview

With sea views, El Clandestino is set in Bocas del Toro and has a restaurant, a shared lounge, bar, garden and terrace. Complimentary WiFi is offered throughout the property. Guests at the lodge can enjoy darts on site, or go snorkelling or canoeing in the surroundings.

Traveller reviews

G

Gaelle

family_with_children

February 25, 2025

10

Serene paradise

Amazing place with the most serene views. An unforgettable experience. Andy, the owner, goes the extra mile to make your stay personal and memorable. Free access to paddle boards and kayaks, fantastic food, and friendly staff. Dolphins swimming in the bay at dinner time, what more would you want? Good luck Andy 👍

N

Nessim

solo_traveller

February 19, 2025

10

Great time in Paradise

The owner Andy with the guest, the good vibe and friendly environment

L

Leah

couple

October 16, 2024

10

Beautiful tranquil location

Beautiful remote setting. Owner and staff are very friendly and welcoming. Free water was a plus. Free use of snorkelling gear, kayak and paddle boards was a brilliant extra. Food was excellent and drinks were reasonable priced. Would highly recommend for a tranquil few days.

S

Stephan

couple

August 12, 2024

10

Peacefully exploring the nature

Virginia and Julien are great hosts! They made great food and gave really good tips for snorkeling and other trips. In front of the room there is a beautiful coral reef with lot of fish. If you’re lucky you can see dolphins passing by while eating breakfast. At night there is one type of plankton in front of the house which illuminates the water by your own movement. A great experience for everyone!

R

Robert

couple

June 10, 2024

9

Go and indulge yourself in the beauty around.

Our time at El Clandestino was really nice escape from reality 🥰 We stayed here 4 days and everything was taken care of - they offer homemade food (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and they have free of charge water equipment to use throughout the day - snorkelling 🤿, standup paddle board and a boat for two. Around you can see plenty of fish, sea stars and corals 🪸 The family that runs the place is really friendly and they have great suggestions for places to go around. ☺️ Its true the island is not walkable but this allows you to completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere, take it slow and recharge throughout the days! • Just to be ready, take a sand fly repellent - read about the coconut lotion is effective but didn’t have the chance to try it out myself. If thats the kind of holiday you need, don’t hesitate on spending a few days in this charming place. 🌞

S

Sebastian

couple

May 20, 2024

3

Wouldn´t go back

The kayaks were a lot of fun Also Christopher, the person in charge while the owner is gone, was super kind and helpful We also saw bioluminescent plankton which was fun

L

Larisa

couple

May 11, 2024

10

It’s amazing place built right on the water! Very simple and very special! View from the room was beautiful. It was unforgettable time…

E

Emilie

family_with_children

March 12, 2024

9

Food was amazing!

M

M_BB

couple

March 5, 2024

10

The best place we have stayed in Panama so far! Beautiful area, clean, dolphin spotting from the terrace, free use of wooden canoe, great snorkeling just around the corner, Sebastian is very kind and a good cook. Keep in mind that prices are ex tax and you pay a 10 dollar fee if you pay by credit card :)

A

Andrea

extended_group

February 4, 2024

8

Very relaxed stayed

It is an amazing place to stay , very relaxed and beautiful. The beds were confortable and food delicious. Breakfast is very generous and tasty. The staff is very kind and they help You with everything You need.

M

Martín

couple

January 11, 2024

10

Best Place Ever in Central América

Sebastian was a exelent host, I must recommend this place to another visitor, if you like snorkeling or sigthseen , there is good wifi if you need to grab your phone and make some business calls or work

P

Patricia

couple

January 8, 2024

9

Cute accommodation directly on the water and with a great cook as a host

P

Patricia

couple

January 8, 2024

9

Cute accommodation directly on the water and with a great cook as a host

C

Chrostek

family_with_children

December 4, 2023

9

The overseas bungalow in Bocas del Toro offers a serene escape, with a tranquil ambiance perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat away from party tourism. The unique feature of a coral reef directly beneath the bungalow provides an immersive experience, akin to having a personal aquarium teeming with vibrant fish and sea stars. The frequent sightings of dolphins add a touch of enchantment to each day. The meals served are as fantastic as the overall experience. The hosts, a very friendly Belgian couple, contribute significantly to the warm and homely atmosphere. Their hospitality goes beyond expectations, as they readily assist with any needs, ensuring a delightful and memorable stay. Don’t forget something against mosquitoes!

J

Julia

solo_traveller

November 28, 2023

3

Take a mosquito net with you.

The staff. A lovely young couple with a warm welcome. Delicious food, beautifully presented. Kylian and Noelis were very thoughtful and kind.

S

Steve

couple

November 17, 2023

10

Perfect stay in beautiful location

Very peaceful and time to relax. Food was fantastic and hosts made us feel very welcome and did everything they could for us

P

Pamela ruth

solo_traveller

October 20, 2023

1

abusive treatment that I was singled out to pay extra for, awful experience, no apology from owner

Location on isla san cristobal near dolphin bay is remote and peaceful but many sea urchins on ladder to enter water made it bit dangerous. Booked around new moon to experience bioluminescence but the native left in charge while owner in Belgium was horrible and did not want me to take kayak at night although the sisters from Mexico were allowed to.

R

Radka

family_with_children

June 2, 2023

9

A marine, submarine & gastronomic experience that feels surreal

This environmentally cautious place is an experience. Living at 0.75m above sea level, you’re really close to the nature, sea, birds, gorgeous colorful coral and dolphins that show up practically every day. The view from the waterfront cabin is so calming and charming and the thoughtful windows let you enjoy it every minute day and night. The place is quite minimal yet has a lot of character and appealing aesthetic. The owner somehow anticipates his guests’ needs and desires, and every day culminates with his gastronomic art as a chef of your dinner. I wasn’t sure about being so secluded, but in the end it was perfect.

P

Pamela

extended_group

May 8, 2023

8

Excellent unique, quiet getaway for relaxation.

Excellent stay.... Food was amazing, bar had good prices, included breakfast was great. Atmosphere laid back and chill. Elegant presentation for dining- service was outstanding. Bungalow on water was very nice and a bonus for us. We were upgraded to a bungalow on the water for 2 of the 3 nights and it was fantastic. Nice place to get away from it all. Saw dolphins out in front all three days!

M

Michaela

extended_group

March 13, 2023

10

It was amazing. You will have to factor in some costs for the food and transportation, but then you get an amazing little hideaway in paradise. We saw dolphins, stingrays, so many starfish and corals. We did SUP, we took out the kayak and swam in the crystal clear water. We saw a gigantic moon rise and even the bioluminescence and just had a really nice time.

Facilities

Activities

Fishing, Darts, Canoeing, Hiking, Cycling, Diving, Horse riding, Snorkelling, Water sport facilities on site, Walking tours, Bike tours, Happy hour, Tour or class about local culture

Cleanliness & disinfecting

Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays, Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning, Guests have the option to cancel any cleaning services for their accommodation during their stay

Entertainment and family services

Board games/puzzles

Food & Drink

Kid meals, Wine/champagne, Fruits, Coffee house on site, Breakfast options, Special diet menus (on request), Snack bar, Breakfast in the room, Restaurant, Bar

Food & drink safety

All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized, Physical distancing in dining areas, Food can be delivered to guest accommodation

General

Non-smoking rooms, WiFi available in all areas, Family rooms, Designated smoking area

Internet

WiFi, Free WiFi, Internet services

Outdoors

Garden, Terrace, Sun terrace, Outdoor furniture

Physical distancing

Cashless payment available, Physical distancing rules followed

Safety & security

24-hour security, Key access, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguishers

Safety features

Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities, Shared stationery such as printed menus, magazines, pens, and paper removed, Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas, First aid kit available, Face masks for guests available

Services

Shuttle service, Concierge service, Private check-in/check-out, Shuttle service (additional charge), Airport shuttle (additional charge), Shared lounge/TV area, Daily housekeeping, Grocery deliveries, Airport shuttle, Laundry, Express check-in/check-out, Tour desk, Fax/photocopying, Packed lunches

Transport

Airport pick up, Airport drop off

Double Room with Sea View

The double room provides a private entrance, soundproof walls, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 2 beds.

Max 3 guests 21 1 bedroom0
King Room with Sea View

The double room offers a private entrance, soundproof walls, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.

Max 2 guests 21 1 bedroom0

Hotel Policies

Check-inFrom 12:00 to 19:00
Check-outFrom 06:00 until 10:00
Cancellation & prepaymentCancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. Please check your booking details before finalizing.
Accepted credit cardsThe hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.
The fine printPlease inform in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation. Managed by a private host
Last updated: Apr 11, 2024, 4:44 PM

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El Clandestino - 0 Star Hotel in Bocas Del Toro