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Where the Jungle Meets the Reef,” CocoVivo is a magical eco-retreat on the southern tip of Isla Cristobal. Six private glamping cabins sit over the water, just yards from a vibrant coral reef for easy snorkeling, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, and exploring our private shipwreck. When night falls, sparkling bioluminescent water makes it feel like you’re in a fairy tale. Twenty years ago, CocoVivo started as a reforestation project, and now our 25 hectares are home to several troops of monkeys and dozens of sloths that are easy to spot while hiking. A thirty minute speedboat ride from the Bocas Town on Isla Colon, CocoVivo is remote and rustic, but don’t let that fool you: you will eat well here. Our talented private chefs create three course dinners from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that rival the best restaurants in town.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 10.0 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.9)


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Availability

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Room Type
Number of guests
 
1 king bed
Bedroom
1 full bed
and
1 king bed
Living room
1 sofa bed
Bedroom
1 full bed
Living room
1 sofa bed
Bedroom 1
1 queen bed
Bedroom 2
2 queen beds
Bedroom 3
1 king bed
Bedroom 4
1 king bed
Bedroom 5
2 king beds
Bedroom 6
2 king beds
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Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
9.9
Facilities
9.4
Cleanliness
9.3
Comfort
9.6
Value for money
9.1
Location
9.9
Free Wifi
8.8
High score for Bocas Town

Select topics to read reviews:

Guests who stayed here loved

  • Paula
    the United States the United States
    This was a magical place all around. We stayed in the mangrove cabin which is absolutely beautiful. The coral reef is perfect for snorkeling anytime of the day. You really feel like you are in a remote area although you are 30 mins from town. The...
  • Tonja
    the United States the United States
    Beautiful location, extraordinary coral reef, fun and warm staff, and the best food I have ever eaten.
  • Adrian
    the United States the United States
    An incredible place to stay. Food was amazing and reasonably priced, lodging was one of the most special places I’ve ever slept! Staff was extraordinary. Snorkeling was unbelievable.
  • Hallie
    the United States the United States
    I loved all of it. Mostly that it is bringing awareness and education to many. The staff were so kind and mellow - leaving a relaxing vibe. The food was, of course, amazing- you will not want to waste a single bite- literally. I really enjoyed...
  • Natalie
    the United States the United States
    Everything! The snorkeling was beyond our expectations! AMAZING! The food was incredible! The staff were simply awesome humans! The dogs! Oh the sweet doggies! We already miss them and will 100% be back for a visit. We saw sloths, monkeys,...
  • Donald
    the United States the United States
    The food, the reef, and the location were fantastic as was the service. The staff were supportive, accommodating, and fun. For as rustic as the place purported to be I thought the Mangrove Treehouse was great. We had water, a stove, a nearby...
  • Jeffrey
    the United States the United States
    5 star food in a rural jungle setting. The food was so good I kept forgetting I was sitting in the middle of the jungle.
  • Assaf
    Israel Israel
    one of the best places we’ve ever been to, and we have been to a lot unique, special experience. Must mention the food, which is top class, high quality for un unbelievable price gracias por tanto Lucho y Melissa
  • Michael
    Switzerland Switzerland
    Wonderful hosts, very helpful and easy going. Food was really great! Certainly above expectations There is no plumbing however there is cleverly designed bathrooms which make this not a problem. Island is full of animals, we saw 2 sloths in the...
  • Bastian
    Germany Germany
    We absolutely loved the stay at Cocovivo. We stayed in the Treehouse which was just incredible. The lights coming throug the mosquito nets in the morning and the sound of the sourrounding jungle made the sunrises truly special. Also the nature...

Managed by Elisabeth & Ulrich

Company review score: 9.9Based on 79 reviews from 1 property
1 managed property

Company info

Welcome to CocoVivo Panama! We are your hosts, Elisabeth and Ulrich, an adventurous couple from the US and Germany who've fallen in love with this hidden treasure, Bocas del Toro Archipelago. We have lived here for 18 years and are happy to call this little nook of the world home. Let us answer any of your questions about off-the-grid living and guide you through your stay! Whether it's arranging transportation, picking the right cabin for you, cooking for you in our on-site kitchen or guiding you through a jungle hike, we're here to make your stay magical, and one to remember. We treat our guests like family, and invite you to experience paradise with us!

Property info

Here's what guests say they like best about Cocovivo: The coral is the #1 reason to visit Cocovivo. The reef is healthy, vibrant, and right at your fingertips. Snorkel gear is free at our Reef Center. The food here is not only fresh and local, but prepared by 5-star chefs. The three course dinners rival the very best restaurants in town. See bioluminescence, and better yet—swim in it! A real-life fairy tale. You will see a sloth. Guaranteed! Whether you’re on the paddle board or the hiking the sloth loop, our dogs will be your protectors. You will fall in love with Capitan and Mazoo. Magical encounters with animals are a daily occurrence here at CocoVivo. Not only sloths, but howler monkeys, kinkajous, frogs, and dolphins. Starlink internet: about 40 Mbps in the cabins, and over 200 Mbps in the Reef Center! Here’s what some guests find challenging: Think of your experience at Cocovivo as glamping in the jungle. While our walls keep out the majority of the bugs, it’s not uncommon to find an ant, gecko, or small spider in your cabin. If you have phobias of insects, Cocovivo might not be the best place for you. 

 While every cabin has a pee-toilet, the full service toilets (one flush, two composting) are a short walk away and shared with other guests. This is for eco-reasons (it would not be sanitary to have septic directly at the waterfront where we all swim). Sandflies. Not everyone is affected by them, but many are. Be prepared. We try to keep them away with bug spray, smoke, and incense coils. The weather can be an adventure here. We have both sweltering heat and torrential rain—often on the same day! There is no AC in the cabins. We have no hot water in the showers, but this is the tropics where it is hot all the time. You won’t miss it.

Neighborhood info

Isla San Cristóbal is the best kept secret of the Bocas del Toro islands. We are a 30-minute boat ride from the main town on Isla Colón, set on a quiet lagoon off the beaten path. . Coral reef surrounds the banks of the island, along with mangroves and calm, clear water. Our island is home to two indigenous communities, as well as a small community of expatriates. Take a kayak to the nearest restaurant, or join us for a private tour of the local beaches!

Languages Spoken

German,English,Spanish

Area info

Restaurants
1 Restaurant On Site

  • Restaurant #1
    • Cuisine
      Argentinian • Caribbean
    • Open for
      Breakfast • Brunch • Dinner • Cocktail hour
    • Ambience
      Family-friendly • Romantic
    • Dietary options
      Vegan • Gluten-free • Dairy-free

Amenities of CocoVivo
Great facilities! Review score, 9.4

Most popular amenities

  • Free Wifi
  • Family rooms
  • Restaurant
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Bar

Bathroom

  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Towels/Sheets (extra fee)
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Shared toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Shared bathroom
  • Shower

Bedroom

  • Linens
  • Extra long beds (> 6.5 ft)

View

  • Mountain view
  • Garden view
  • Sea view
  • View

Outdoors

  • Outdoor fireplace
  • Picnic area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Sun deck
  • Patio
  • Balcony
  • Terrace
  • Garden

Room Amenities

  • Socket near the bed
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Clothes rack

Pets
Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges.

Activities

  • Tour or class about local culture
    Additional charge
  • Walking tours
    Additional charge
  • Water sports facilities on site
  • Snorkeling
  • Hiking
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing

Living Area

  • Desk

Food & Drink

  • Coffee house on site
  • Fruit
    Additional charge
  • Wine/Champagne
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Kids' meals
  • Special diet meals (on request)
  • Snack bar
  • Bar
  • Restaurant

Internet
Wifi is available in the rooms and is free of charge.

Parking
No parking available.

Front Desk Services

  • Private check-in/out
  • Concierge
  • Tour desk

Entertainment & Family Services

  • Outdoor play equipment for kids
  • Board games/Puzzles

Cleaning Services

  • Daily housekeeping
    Additional charge
  • Laundry
    Additional charge

General

  • Shuttle service
    Additional charge
  • Grocery deliveries
    Additional charge
  • Mosquito net
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Private entrance
  • Packed lunches
  • Fan
  • Family rooms
  • Non-smoking rooms

Spa

  • Yoga classes
  • Beach chairs/Loungers
  • Public Bath
  • Open-air bath

Languages Spoken

  • German
  • English
  • Spanish

House rules
CocoVivo takes special requests – add in the next step!

Check-in
From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
Check-out
From 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

Children 18 and above will be charged as adults at this property.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.

No age restriction
There's no age requirement for check-in
Pets
Free!Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges.
Accepted payment methods
American ExpressVisaMastercardDiners ClubJCBMaestroDiscoverUnionPay credit cardCash
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed.
Quiet hours
Guests need be quiet between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

The fine print
Must-know information for guests at this property

Please note this property has two dogs and two cats and is not recommended for people with allergies.

Please inform CocoVivo of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.

Quiet hours are between 23:00:00 and 06:00:00.

FAQs about CocoVivo

  • The prices at CocoVivo may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

  • Yes, CocoVivo is popular with guests booking family stays.

  • CocoVivo has 1 restaurant:

    • Restaurant #1
  • CocoVivo is 8.1 miles from the center of Bocas Town. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

  • Check-in at CocoVivo is from 3:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM.

  • CocoVivo offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):

    • Hiking
    • Snorkeling
    • Fishing
    • Canoeing
    • Open-air bath
    • Walking tours
    • Yoga classes
    • Public Bath
    • Water sports facilities on site
    • Tour or class about local culture