Apartment

Over the Caribbean water 1 bedroom apartment with incredible view !

Photo gallery for Over the Caribbean water 1 bedroom apartment with incredible view !

Marina
Marina
Terrace/patio
Aerial view
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 466 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Isla Colon, Bocas Del Torro, Panama
  • Bocas del Toro Ferry Terminal
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Tortuga Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Carenero Island
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Bocas del Toro (BOC-Bocas del Toro Intl.)
    ‪18 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Extra Mattress

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Over the Caribbean water 1 bedroom apartment with incredible view !

Our unit "Caballito del Mar" is a very nice 1 bedroom and well constructed apartment over the water on Isla Colón, the main island of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. With our unique location on the Isthmus of Isla Colón we get nice sea breezes from the Caribbean and breathtaking views of Almirante Bay with the mainland mountains in the distance and sunsets are always breathtaking. We are a 60 cent taxi ride or 5 minute bike ride from all downtown attractions and just enough out of town enjoy the serenity.

Space
The apartment is built over the water and allows beautiful uncrowded views of the Caribbean sea to be enjoyed from the private deck on the front side (west side/sunset side) of the apartment. Also there is a Private Pier even further out over the water for guests to relax in a hammock, sunbath in a longchair or get on kayaks/SUPs to play around in the calm & transparent waters surrounding the Pier. Of course the apartment is fully equipped with fully furbished Kitchen, A/C, TV, WiFi internet, Ceiling Fans, Hot Water, Laundry room

Guest access
Guests can access the entirety of the space which consist of the Laundry Room with washer & dryer, the Roofed Deck area, our Private Roofed Pier over the water with hanging chairs & hammocks, the front parking with the bike rack for guests to lock their bikes or grab a taxi from the front road.

Guest interaction
I usually like to use any common smart-phone messenger tool to facilitate communication with guests anytime they might need help or information but they can also write emails or call me on my cell phone. Also, we like to "empower" our guests which is why we provide them with a comprehensive Welcome Information Package with plenty of maps with annotations, informations about transportation, recommendation for meals and activities, extra services available on site & much more.

Neighborhood overview
We are located on the water front of Saigon Bay on Colón Island and enjoy a genuine Caribbean lifestyle. Our location allows us to catch the breeze from either side of the island because it is located on a really stretched isthmus (see aerial picture in gallery) on the way to the nicer beaches of the island and a little bit out of the town (5min bicycle ride or 60cts Taxi ride).

Getting around
It is really easy to get around from the place and you can catch a yellow Taxi right from the front Parking area. Taxis are really affordable but you can also opt for a beach cruiser bicycle which is the #1 way to get around on Isla Colón . N.B: Taxi rides to/from the Airport cost $2.

Other things to note
AirPanama airline often experience delays or changes in their schedule so be aware of this detail when organizing flights in and out of Bocas del Toro. We have only 1 bank in Bocas Town which host the 2 only ATMs in the whole archipelago and they sometimes go empty during the busy season especially on national holidays so we recommend that you make sure to have some cash handy to avoid long queues at the ATM.

Property manager

Sterling Hopman
Premier Host

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Ocean view

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We kindly ask our guests to respect the quietness inside the property: - No party or loud noises AFTER 8:00 PM. - NO EXTRA GUESTS without permission.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Mexico and Central America

Map
Isla Colon, Bocas Del Torro, Panama

What's nearby

  • Playa El Istmito - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Bocas del Toro Ferry Terminal - 1 min drive - 0.0 km
  • Tortuga Beach - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Carenero Island - 6 min drive - 0.6 km
  • Paunch Beach - 11 min drive - 4.4 km

Getting around

  • Bocas del Toro (BOC-Bocas del Toro Intl.) - 1 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪JJ’s at Bocas Blended - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Mana Bar and Restaurant - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Tequila Republic - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Restaurante Tropical Birds - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Pub - ‬17 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Over the Caribbean water 1 bedroom apartment with incredible view ! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Over the Caribbean water 1 bedroom apartment with incredible view !?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Over the Caribbean water 1 bedroom apartment with incredible view !?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Over the Caribbean water 1 bedroom apartment with incredible view ! located?

Situated on the beach, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Playa El Istmito and Lil' Spa Shop by the Sea. Bocas Marina and Bolivar Park are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

kirk S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

As advertizes

Beautiful little suite right on the water, great views, great customer service, nice folks
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location and amenities

Close to town but far enough to seem quiet. Very clean, and Rebecca and Sterling were both very helpful and easy to communicate with. Perfect deck and kitchen. Very clean and had everything we needed. A grocery store is very close. A few suites and sailboat all rented, so not completely private, but everyone was friendly. Bikes weren’t available, but it was easy to rent from town for 10 per day. Well worth it.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clifford m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pleasant stay

Nice condo, beautiful wayerfront view from back deck. Worth it.
Stayed 15 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Fantastic!

We loved our stay at Sterling's property. Amazing location in a peaceful bay with lots of character. Had a magical afternoon kayaking in the cove. Enjoyed hanging out on the dock. Short walk to town. Bigger than appeared in photos. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved it here

Perfect spot to stay. Close to town yet far enough away for peace and quiet. Rebecca was wonderful hostess. Had everything you need. We'll be back next year. Paula and Kim
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Office M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything you need

We stayed for 10 days in Feb 24. It rained a bit but was still very warm. We kayaked, rode the bicycles to town, went to Zapatillos island#1, saw sloths at 2 different locations! Overall awesome time! Rebecca the host is just the best!!
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenny E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location and great service!

We really enjoyed our four-day stay. The location was close enough to Bocas to access all the activities but far enough away to feel removed from the action. Seeing the marine life right outside our door was an extra treat, I just wish we could have swam off the pier. Our host went above and beyond addressing all of our questions and helping us navigate the area. She was amazing! During our trip we enjoyed the day-long tour of Zapatillas Islands with the recommended tour guide. A trip to Black Rock Beach and Starfish Beach were also highlights.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Beautiful setting right over the water

Caballito de Mar is a beautiful, updated property and we’ll worth the money. We loved sitting at the end of the dock or on the patio looking at the bay, watching the fish (we saw starfish, barracudas and a sting ray) in the water. It is quiet and away from the noise of town, but there are cheap cabs going along the main road behind the property. You can also rent bicycles to get around. The owner provided good information on activities and restaurants in the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Deborah C.

Property was great. lovely views. Sterling was very helpful and knowledgeable of the area.

We really enjoyed our stay at the property. It was nice to be on the water. Unit was well stocked and comfortable. Bed is a bit hard...could use a memory foam topper...that would make it more comfortable. Our only disappointment was not being able to swim right off the dock. That's something we had been looking forward to. We enjoyed the long walk to town...did it all times of the day and early evening, felt safe and enjoyed the exercise. Met some great people during our stay, overall enjoyed Bocas. Favorite part was a day trip over to Corenaro Isle...hiked the entire island, was awesome.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

10/10 Excellent

Bob T., Tri-Cities, TN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Caballito de Mar

We enjoyed our stay at Caballito de Mar. The property is one bedroom bungalow situated on a dock right over the water, which makes for a peaceful time in the morning. There are a lot of activities available on location (for a fee). We took advantage of the sea kayaks and paddled some through the mangroves and did some snorkeling. The location is just a bit out of town - 20-25 minute if you feel like some exercise and a $2 cab fare, if you prefer not. The removal from town makes for a peaceful sleeping. Check in went well (Rebecca met us there and showed us around). We had some minor issues during our stay (typical island life) and they were proactively addressed by Rebecca / Sterling.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica S., New York

BOCA's BEST PLACE TO STAY - EL MEJOR LUGAR Y VISTA EN BOCAS

The friendliness of the staff here (Sterling and Ludo - and even Ludo's girlfriend) was wonderful. They were helpful, checking in to wish us Merry Christmas and even Happy New Year after we had left Panama! The view was beyond magical - being able to sit on the porch during a rain downpour and drink morning coffee, or relax with a glass of wine, watching the sun set. You are also a very short bike ride into town, 15-20 min walk. You had the best of both worlds with the sunset at your desk and you could walk 1 minute to the bay across the road and watch the sunrise. Bocas had so much to offer in general, but it was hard to want to leave home with the comfort and beauty we experienced. Our stay at Vista Mar made us not want to leave to go to Costa Rica and finish our trip. In fact, we couldnt stop talking about it for the rest of the trip and will definitely be back. The property has everything you need - even provided essentials (coffee, shampoo, cleaning supplies, olive oil, etc). I'm so happy we were able to stay here because it made our trip better overall :). THANK YOU STERLING AND LUDO!!!!!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer Z., Minneapols, MN

Great spot for relaxing

The place is exactly how it looks in the pictures. My only complaint was the trickle of hot water available for showering. Other than that, it was fantastic!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Silke G.

Tatsächlich ein Schlafzimmer über dem Meer

Eine tolle großzügige Ferienwohnung. Alles sauber und gut gepflegt. Das Sonnendeck dient auch für das Erleben von unglaublichen Sonnenuntergängen. Uns hat es super gefallen.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

amy b.

Tranquility

Our family (my husband and our 2 teenage kids) had such an amazing stay in the home over the water! We were all sad to leave; being right on the water with access to the dock was incredible for our morning coffee and to just relax and watch the sun sets. We were even so lucky to spot many fish including and eagle ray right off the dock! Sterling and Ludo were both excellent hosts!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pensacola To P.

Beautiful area with a new breathtaking view.

We came for a short stay and never left. Amazing property with stunning view. Close to town but far away enough out to realize that you have found a very special place. Sterling (the owner) is a true Prince and one of the nicest people that you will meet on the Island. Always there with a friendly smile, a helping hand, or information to make your visit truly spectacular. The facility has a beautiful dock and a covered area at the end for your enjoyment. A cool drink, friends and family and a stunning sunset were my choice while there for the end to a fun filled day. You WILL NOT be disappointed with this selection. Send Sterling a note and check on availability. There is even space available to tie up your boat.

About the host

Hosted by Sterling Hopman

Host profile image
My Name is Sterling. I moved here to Isla Colón from Hawaii in 2003 and I am loving it here more and more every day. I chose Bocas not only for it's beauty and laid back culture but also because I love the ocean and water sports. I finished building Santuarios del Mar in 2008 and have used the units as short and long-term rentals ever since!

Why they chose this property

"Caballito de Mar" is a very nice well constructed Caribbean style apartment. Its setting right over the water give it the feeling of being on a boat with exceptional views from the front terrace. Additional, there is a nice dock with a large covered area at the end with hammocks and chairs to lounge around in. I have Kayaks, SUP boards available to those who want to explore the bay or the Caribbean on the other side as well as surf boards and other water sports equipment.

What makes this property unique

Aside from it's unique location on the Isthmus, it being on the main island has lots of benefits. Most of the nightlife and the restaurants are located on the Island the condo is at and there are lots of things to do and places to explore right here with a bike or getting dropped further up the road by a taxi.

Languages:

English, French, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests