For decades, the dream of the overwater bungalow belonged to the Maldives, Bora Bora, and Tahiti, but 20-hour flights, jet lag, and heavy carbon footprints have turned the fantasy into a contradiction. Once there, their beauty often narrows into repetition: a traditional beach holiday of sand and sea.
Bocas is different. We offer the same overwater dream, but closer, richer, and more alive. Here, coral gardens glow beneath your deck, mangroves stretch into the sea, and tropical rainforest meets reef. This stunning biodiversity is why we’re known as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, and that uniqueness has just been recognized
Nayara Bocas del Toro was just named the #1 Resort in Central America in Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition signals a shift that today’s traveller doesn’t measure luxury in miles flown or distance.
We recently described how time has become most precious resource in modern travel, and that its finite nature is precisely what makes it the New Currency of Luxury. When comparing Bocas to distant islands halfway across the world, the greatest luxury may actually be proximity.
From the U.S., the travel time to Panama averages one-third that of the Maldives. That means less stress, fewer connections, and more sunsets that actually belong to you. For couples celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries, or just escape, it means the moment doesn’t get lost in transit.
The future of overwater luxury now belongs to a private island in Panama — built entirely for romance and entirely off-grid.
And its floats on the Caribbean, not the Indian Ocean.
You only need to click below to see why...
This year, more than 757,000 travelers took part in the 38th annual Readers’ Choice Awards one of the most trusted recognitions in global travel.
It’s not just a ranking; it’s a reflection of how travelers themselves see the future of luxury — authentic, sustainable, and firmly rooted in Panama.
Not long ago, Bocas del Toro was known mainly to backpackers and surfers chasing empty breaks. It was remote, hard to reach, and defined by its rhythm — slow, local, and mostly unplugged. Then something rare happened: it began to evolve without losing itself.
According to Forbes, Bocas is “about to become the coolest place on Earth,” a statement not about hype but transformation. Over the past five years, Panama has quietly invested in new infrastructure that supports low-impact tourism: upgraded air connections from Panama City, a modernized hospital on Isla Colón, fiber-optic connectivity, and a planned airport expansion designed to handle sustainable traffic — not mass tourism.
A separate Condé Nast Traveler feature called it “a place evolving at its own pace,” highlighting how this archipelago is moving from rustic charm toward refined eco-luxury. But unlike other tropical islands that surrendered to overdevelopment, Bocas is charting a new course — one that merges exclusivity with ecology.
That balance between development and preservation, between world-class design and local soul — is what Forbes and Condé Nast Traveler both recognized as the foundation of its rise.
Bocas del Toro is no longer a secret and romance is rewriting the rules.
Proximity transforms honeymoons from logistical marathons into effortless escapes. It turns anniversaries into long weekends, not week-long expeditions. It gives the gift of time, which may just be the most valuable currency of romance too.
Bocas is proudly adults-only. That choice shapes everything. Privacy and intimacy aren’t afterthoughts here — they are the blueprint.
Our villas aren’t just overwater, they are private sanctuaries designed exclusively for couples. Each has a plunge pool, a wrap-around deck, and a ladder descending straight into the Caribbean.
Romance here is not staged. It is built into the architecture, the landscape, and the rhythm of the resort.
The term “all-inclusive” often conjures images of buffets, wristbands, and overcrowded beach resorts. But a new era of all-inclusive is emerging — one built on elevated experience, not uniformity.
The Zoe Report frames this shift: “As a luxury experience, it is best described as ‘all-encompassing’ rather than ‘all-inclusive.’”
You won’t find lines. You’ll find a private island where comfort, cuisine, and connection coexist without compromises so couples can focus on each other, not logistics
Every meal is fine dining, every drink is hand-crafted, and kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkel gear aren’t checked out, they’re simply waiting at your overwater villa.
Unlike the Galápagos, however, Bocas connects marine and rainforest biomes seamlessly. Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park meets the mainland’s Palo Seco Forest Reserve, forming an unbroken corridor from mountain cloud forest to coral reef. Few places on Earth let you see monkeys, sloths, and parrotfish in the same hour.
Exploring it with your own private boat and captain isn’t just an adventure — it’s freedom made for two. A day might begin on the untouched sands of Zapatilla, where a romantic private picnic awaits on a beach then end with Dolphin pods leaping beside you at sunset.
Beyond the water’s edge, see cacao still harvested by hand, drift past Monkey Island to watch capuchins at play, or spot sloths lounging in the treetops.
Add to that cultural depth — the Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous communities, Afro-Antillean heritage, and a new wave of regenerative tourism — and you get an archipelago where biodiversity and humanity coexist instead of compete.
For those seeking more adventure, the archipelago offers scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and rainforest walks where sloths slumber in the mangroves. And when night falls, bioluminescent waters glow with every stroke, as if the stars themselves had spilled into the sea.
While the overwater bungalows bring you to the sea, our luxury treehouses, suspended 50-feet, carry you into the forest.
Conceived by world-renowned design studio, IBUKU, each was crafted from hardwood salvaged from the bottom of the Panama Canal. This unique material not only lends extraordinary strength and character, but also ties them to Panama’s history.
Wellness also rises with our new Calibri Treehouse Spa. Couples’ massages in the canopy, yoga where light filters through leaves, and spa rituals use native cacao, volcanic mud, and tropical botanicals.
The Maldives, Bora Bora, and Tahiti will always inspire. But they are oceans away, while Bocas offers the same dream — closer, richer, and designed entirely for romance.
Overwater villas above the Caribbean. Luxury treehouses crafted by history. Wellness suspended in the canopy. Days discovering hidden beaches. Whether you’re beginning your journey together on a honeymoon or toasting an anniversary, Bocas is built for celebration.
Being named the #1 Resort in Central America by Condé Nast confirms what we have always believed: romance, sustainability, and immersion belong together.
The world’s most extraordinary escape — recognised by Condé Nast, shaped by Nayara Resorts, and reserved for adults — is just a couple hours away.
👉 Book your Bocas Del Toro Escape today
Why is Nayara Bocas del Toro considered the #1 Resort in Central America?
Because it redefines luxury for a new generation of travelers — one that values regeneration over excess. Nayara Bocas del Toro merges world-class design, ecological balance, and intimacy on a private island powered entirely off-grid. The resort’s recognition by Condé Nast Traveler reflects this evolution: luxury measured not by opulence, but by purpose.
Why does Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award matter?
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are among the most credible distinctions in global travel. In 2025, over 757,000 travelers cast their votes, making it one of the largest and most discerning surveys in the world. Being named the #1 Resort in Central America places Nayara Bocas del Toro among a rare group of destinations defining the next chapter of luxury — purposeful, place-driven, and people-centered.
How is Nayara Bocas del Toro different from the Maldives or Bora Bora?
The Maldives, Bora Bora, and Tahiti inspired the dream of overwater travel, but Bocas brings it closer and makes it meaningful. In just a few hours from the U.S., guests arrive to an ecosystem where rainforest meets reef, where cultural heritage and biodiversity coexist. It’s not isolation — it’s immersion.
Is Nayara Bocas del Toro a sustainable resort?
Yes. The resort operates on renewable solar energy, uses reclaimed hardwood from the Panama Canal, and harvests rainwater for all uses. Single-use plastics have been eliminated, and ongoing coral restoration and mangrove protection programs ensure the surrounding ecosystem thrives. Sustainability here isn’t a feature — it’s the foundation.
Is Nayara Bocas del Toro adults-only?
Yes. The resort is designed exclusively for adults, creating a sanctuary of tranquility and privacy. Every villa, dining experience, and activity has been crafted with couples in mind, ensuring an atmosphere of connection and calm.
What kind of experiences can couples enjoy in Bocas del Toro?
Couples can snorkel among coral gardens, kayak through glowing bioluminescent bays, or explore Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. On land, rainforest walks reveal sloths and monkeys, while private boat trips lead to hidden beaches. Wellness rituals unfold in the Calibri Treehouse Spa — or privately, on your own overwater deck.
How do I get to Nayara Bocas del Toro?
Guests fly into Panama City (PTY), then take a short domestic flight to Bocas Town. From there, a Nayara boat transfer brings you directly to the resort’s private island in 15 minutes. The journey is effortless — and every leg brings you closer to a world apart.
When is the best time to visit Bocas del Toro?
Bocas enjoys a tropical climate year-round, with two mild dry seasons (January–April and September–October) offering clear waters and calm skies. Unlike many Caribbean destinations, Panama’s southern latitude keeps it consistently warm and lush, perfect for diving, kayaking, and sunset sailing throughout the year.
Does Nayara Bocas del Toro offer all-inclusive stays?
Yes — but it’s “all-inclusive” reimagined. Every stay includes gourmet dining, premium beverages, and all non-motorized activities. There are no wristbands, no buffets, and no hidden charges — just freedom to enjoy the island your way.
Nayara Resorts is a family of award-winning, boutique luxury properties across Costa Rica, Panama, and Chile, united by a shared philosophy: travel should regenerate, not consume.
Each resort is rooted in its landscape — from the volcanic rainforests of Arenal to the coral shallows of Bocas del Toro and the red deserts of Atacama. Together, they form a living network of destinations built around community, conservation, and culture.
Nayara Spring, Nayara Gardens, and Nayara Tented Camp – Costa Rica’s most celebrated rainforest retreats.
Nayara Bocas del Toro– Panama’s first fully sustainable overwater resort, now ranked #1 in Central America.
Nayara Alto Atacama– A desert sanctuary in San Pedro, Chile, offering the world's best stargazing and eco-adventures.
Nayara Hangaroa– Easter Island’s cultural and ecological icon, designed to honor Rapa Nui tradition, and land of the Moai
Within Nayara:
Sunlit Sustainability – How Nayara Resorts Powers the Future — renewable energy and solar innovation across Nayara Hangaroa and Nayara Tented Camp.
Rooted in Community – Tourism That Transforms Lives — reforestation, education, and initiatives in Costa Rica and Panama.
Rooted in Place – Experiences Written by the Land— immersive cultural experiences across Latin America.
Wellness in Nature – The Healing Power of Place — how nature itself defines wellness at Nayara.
External Sources:
Condé Nast Traveler – Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 — recognizing Nayara Bocas del Toro as the #1 Resort in Central America.
Condé Nast Traveler – Bocas del Toro Feature — the rise of Bocas as a sustainable luxury destination.
Forbes – “The Coolest Place on Earth” — why Bocas del Toro is emerging as Latin America’s next icon of eco-luxury.
The Zoe Report – “All-Inclusive, Reimagined" — the shift toward curated, elevated, and intimate all-inclusive experiences.
Virtuoso – 2024 Luxe Report — data confirming sustainability and proximity as top priorities for modern travelers.
IBUKU Design Studio — the architectural vision behind Nayara Bocas del Toro’s treehouses, crafted from reclaimed hardwood.
Atlas Obscura – Bastimentos National Marine Park — insight into the protected biodiversity surrounding the resort.
Visit Panama – Bocas del Toro — official travel guide for the archipelago.