Surf Break at Paunch
Location: Paunch Beach Isla Colon, Bocas del Toro, pa
Star Rating: 9.2 Stars
Property Type: Bed and breakfasts
About this Property
Stunning Jungle Views and Ocean Sounds
Luxurious Rooms with Private Seating Areas
Proximity to Top Surf Breaks and Local Attractions
Escape to Surf Break at Paunch for a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Indulge in the serene jungle views and soothing ocean sounds from our spacious deck. Each room offers a private seating area and modern amenities like a coffee machine. Enjoy the convenience of being near top surf breaks and a variety of dining options. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Isla Colon while staying just steps away from the beach. Book your stay now for an unforgettable experience at Surf Break at Paunch!
Important Information
Kindly be informed that the balance must be payed in cash upon check-in. In case guests do not want to carry cash or visit the local bank, they can pay by PayPal or Credit Card, but both will carry an extra fee.
Please note: allergy warning, as there are dogs that live on the property.
Although there are various beaches within walking or biking distance education, the beaches closest to the property are mostly reef, most popular for surfing. Occasionally one can wade into sandbars during low tide.
We strongly recommend guests considering staying here research Bocas in advance to understand the area, where we are located and the seasons (wet vs dry season, when is it best to surf, when and where is best to swim, etc).
The property is on a jungle hillside. Please bring strong insect repellent, and mosquito nets are provided for those guests that want extra protection at night.
The area is most popular for hiking, biking, and surfing, and there are many beaches for exploring and swimming all over Bocas, just a short bicycle, taxi or water taxi away!In the event of an early departure, the property will charge you the full amount for your stay.
This property is accessible by an unpaved road, which might not be suitable for some vehicles.
This property might host on-site functions, so noise may be audible in some rooms.
Please inform 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.
This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
Policies
Check-in: 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Terrace
- Luggage storage
- Safety deposit box
- Private check-in/check-out
- Shared lounge/TV area
- Board games/puzzles
- Concierge service
- Shared kitchen
- Adult only
- Outdoor furniture
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Physical distancing rules followed
- Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- Sanitized tableware & silverware
- Invoice provided
- Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
- Smoke alarms
- Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
- Guest room sealed after cleaning
- Physical distancing in dining areas
- Key access
- Process in place to check health of guests
- Access to health care professionals
- Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
- Face masks for guests available
- Thermometers for guests provided by property
- Free wired internet
- Scuba diving on site
- Snorkeling on site
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Internet access
- Private picnics
- Japanese garden
- Fishing nearby
- Horse riding nearby
- Beach toys
- Paddle boating nearby
Rooms Available
-
Romantic Cabin, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking
1 Queen Bed
355-sq-foot individually decorated room, furnished balcony with partial ocean views
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Mini-fridge and coffee/tea maker
Sleep - Memory foam bed, premium bedding, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, and rainfall showerhead
Practical - Safe, window screens, and guidebooks
Comfort - Fan, fresh towels every 3 days, fresh bed sheets every 3 days
Need to Know - Limited housekeeping
Non-Smoking
Room is accessed via exterior corridors
Connecting/adjoining rooms can be requested, subject to availability
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Bottle of water
- Premium bedding
- Access via exterior corridors
- Free WiFi
- Memory foam mattress
- Rainfall showerhead
- Bedsheets provided
- Window screens
- Guidebooks or recommendations
- Restaurant dining guide
-
Panoramic Single Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking
1 Queen Bed
452-sq-foot individually decorated room, furnished balcony with partial ocean views
Layout - Separate sitting area
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Kitchenette with refrigerator, stovetop, cookware/dishware, and coffee/tea maker
Sleep - Memory foam bed, premium bedding, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Safe, window screens, and guidebooks
Comfort - Fan, fresh towels every 3 days, fresh bed sheets every 3 days
Need to Know - Limited housekeeping
Non-Smoking
Room is accessed via exterior corridors
Connecting/adjoining rooms can be requested, subject to availability
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Stovetop
- Bottle of water
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Access via exterior corridors
- Free WiFi
- Memory foam mattress
- Day bed
- Bedsheets provided
- Window screens
- Guidebooks or recommendations
- Paper towels
- Restaurant dining guide
-
Panoramic Studio, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking
1 Queen Bed
452-sq-foot individually decorated room, furnished balcony with partial ocean views
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Kitchenette with refrigerator, stovetop, cookware/dishware, and coffee/tea maker
Sleep - Memory foam bed, premium bedding, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Safe, window screens, and guidebooks
Comfort - Fan, fresh towels every 3 days, fresh bed sheets every 3 days
Need to Know - Limited housekeeping
Non-Smoking
Room is accessed via exterior corridors
Connecting/adjoining rooms can be requested, subject to availability
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Fan
- Private bathroom
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Stovetop
- Bottle of water
- Premium bedding
- Access via exterior corridors
- Free WiFi
- Memory foam mattress
- Bedsheets provided
- Window screens
- Guidebooks or recommendations
- Paper towels
- Restaurant dining guide
-
Queen Room with Balcony
Meals can be prepared in the kitchenette, which comes with a stovetop, a refrigerator and kitchenware. The spacious double room provides a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Dining area
- Mosquito net
- Stovetop
- Coffee machine
- Terrace
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Clothes rack
- Drying rack for clothing
- Toilet paper
- Sofa bed
- Pool towels
- Wine or champagne
- Bottle of water
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
-
Queen Room
This double room has an outdoor seating area, fully equipped kitchenette and tile floor.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Air conditioning
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Private entrance
- Tile/marble floor
- Dining area
- Mosquito net
- Stovetop
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Clothes rack
- Drying rack for clothing
- Toilet paper
- Pool towels
- Wine or champagne
- Bottle of water
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
-
Deluxe Queen Room with Balcony
This cabana style double room features a balcony with a treehouse like view, large shower with an outdoor feel and private entrance.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Private entrance
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Mosquito net
- Coffee machine
- Terrace
- Linen
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Clothes rack
- Drying rack for clothing
- Toilet paper
- Pool towels
- Wine or champagne
- Bottle of water
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Key access
-
Deluxe Queen Room with Balcony
Meals can be prepared in the well-fitted kitchenette, which is fitted with a stovetop, a refrigerator and kitchenware. The spacious double room offers a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Private entrance
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Dining area
- Mosquito net
- Stovetop
- Coffee machine
- Terrace
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Clothes rack
- Drying rack for clothing
- Toilet paper
- Pool towels
- Wine or champagne
- Bottle of water
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Shampoo
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
Guest Reviews
- Shimix (8/5): -
- Harry (10/5): -
- Paul (9/5): Relaxing jungle casita! - This unit is in a great location and the owner was excellent.
- Judit (10/5): Un lloc d'estil surfero, molt correcte - En David va ser molt amable amb nosaltres, va estar atent en tot moment. La caseta és molt maca, malgrat fa olor a humitat (per l'entorn on estem) en general, tot està força net. Hi ha una zona comuna amb una taula, unes llumetes i una hamaca. Teníem l'Skullys a 15' caminant, un bar amb molt d'ambient i un entorn espectacular. Vam veure i escoltar els howler monkeys, va ser impressionant.
- Charlene (10/5): -
- Vanessa (9/5): Chill and enjoy the Nature - Schicker Ort zum abschalten. Paunch scheint zudem ein guter Surfspot zu sein. David ist ein toller Gastgeber. Schad, dass es keine Küche gibt. Ich wäre bestimmt noch länger geblieben…Aber durch die Notwendigkeit von täglichen Restaurantbesuchen wurde es dann doch verhältnismäßig teuer.
- Monique (8/5): -
- Casandra (8/5): J’ai beaucoup apprécié - J’ai beaucoup aimé l’ambiance du logement , au sein d’une jungle.
- Veruma (10/5): -
- Oscar (9/5): Great place to stay on the island and David is a terrific host - Great spot! Feel like you’re in the jungle and beach is just a short walk away. The bugs at night but that’s part of it !
- Barbara (9/5): -
- Heather (10/5): - David is truly rad. The space he has created is an epic experience to take advantage of. Despite booking this less than 12 hours in advance, he went above and beyond to ensure I had a nice check-in experience. The days and nights to follow were filled with jungle sounds and waves crashing in the distance. Taking advantage of the surf rental spot down the hill and scrumpcious food just a stone's throw away. I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this place. He gave wonderful recommendations for food and adventure experiences. 10/10 will book here the next time I visit.
- James (10/5): - This place is magical. David, aka “Odessa”, is great. Getting to the place is an adventure, and once there, you are surrounded by jungle (without bugs) and the sound of the ocean.
- Matthew (10/5): Recommend - Great little spot right on the most consistent surf break in the area. It is walkable to many restaurants and other surf breaks in the area as well. David was a good host. He made himself available without being intrusive. Hot water, coffee, fresh coconut water, and clean tiled bathroom was a plus. Pretty rustic for a person who is used to the Hilton, but it has all the creature comforts situated right on the waves and main gathering spot. The road from the house that wanders down the hill is bit slippery after rain, but short. Overall I recommend for solo, or couple, or small family.
- Raquel (10/5): Exceptional -
- Verified traveler (8/5): - Ich mochte, dass es mitten im Dschungel war und trotzdem in Strandnähe. Es war sehr ruhig dort, bis auf die Affen und Vögel, aber diese erwartet man ja in solch einem Urlaub. David, der Betreiber, ist ein sehr netter und hilfsbereiter Mensch und er machte den Aufenthalt zu einem Unvergessenen. Ich habe mich sehr gut erholt.
- Emily (10/5): Amazing jungle home - INCREDIBLE AUTHENTIC JUNGLE EXPERIENCE BUT WITH ALL THE COMFORT!! I stayed for 2 nights at David’s place on my solo trip to bocas del toro and I can’t recommend it enough! The place was gorgeous on inside and the outside was just amazing, surrounded by jungle but 2 mins from the water too! Everything was clean, and the bed was SUPER comfortable!! David was extremely friendly and helpful with immediate responses when I had questions throughout my whole stay! I rented a ATV and David let me park it on site no problem. Perfect stay!
- Amber (10/5): Exceptional - Nice, relaxing jungle cabin close to the beach
- Fernando (10/5): Exceptional - If you are going to surf, this is the best place to stay. In front of Paunch, and near to other beaches. David is very attentive, and quickly replied our doubts and messages. The room is big and clean. Thank you David for the amazin time there!
- Nienke (8/5): Very good - Great cabin, very spacious, close to paunch, nice and quiet area with surf beaches. We were very happy that there was a coffee machine! Host David was very helpful. We had a great stay.. only thing: pity it was a bit noisy, we could literally hear our neighbours talk and cough in the adjacent cabin
- Irina (7/5): we had a good stay overall because we didn’t spend any time at the cabin during the day. at night it was good. it is rom - the location, the vibe no AC, it was pretty uncomfortable during the day as it was a hot sauna. the vents weren’t really helping but nights were cool and nice. also, thought it was super great to open the balcony door and be in the green - the road up to the cabins is rocky and steep. also the water in the showers was not warm.
- Louise (6/5): Pleasant - Nice location. no kitchen available. price was too high in comparison with all other stays.
- Nicole (10/5): - It’s was just what we were looking for. Not the hustle and bustle of city. It was up in the hill and we loved it!! If your going power goes out a lot on the island so bring flashlights! Overall great place! Car taxi can’t make the hill. So get a bus or truck taxi. Good times.
- Elizabeth (1/5): Stay anywhere else! - Nothing. Do not stay here! I have never written a review for a “hotel” but it is only fair to warn other travelers. The room we stayed in at Surf Paunch was filthy. The bed had stains on it, pillows and towels dirty and the sheets had holes/stains on them too. Not to mention the sheets smelled disgusting and were not washed. None of us used the sheets/blankets. The host was shocked that we checked in 3 people even though the reservation stated three. Apparently the number of people correlates to why we could not have a curtain over the windows in the bathroom (you could then see into the bathroom/shower from outside our room). It should be stated that the sofa bed is an old couch. A sofa bed typically has a metal frame and thin mattress that can be unfolded or opened up to make a bed. In addition, there was no shampoo or conditioner. I wish I could say the room was inexpensive and that would make this experience slightly better but it was beyond expensive for what it was. Lastly, our host was unfriendly. He wasn’t welcoming and couldn’t be bothered mentioning anything about the area/hotel. He made us feel uncomfortable and ignored our complaints. It is concerning when locals would say what is going on there is not good. We were the only ones on the property... wonder why.
- Nicole (8/5): - If you would like a quiet place off the beaten path (as I did), this place is a nice option.
- Thomas (4/5): Rapport qualité / prix très décevant - L'hôtel est dans un endroit magnifique, au milieu de la jungle avec une terrasse grandiose. David nous a accueilli très convablement. Cependant, l'hôtel n'était pas à la hauteur du descriptif (pas de service de nettoyage quotidien, pas de restaurant sur place, terrasse de la chambre partagée avec les voisins, hamac déchiré inutilisable). Nous n'avions pas d'intimité car les fenêtres sans rideaux opaques donnaient sur le parking et il n'y avait aucun insonorisation. Nous pouvions donc entendre tout ce que racontaient nos voisins et réciproquement. Très déçu car le prix est très élevé.
- Stephanie (10/5): Comfortable and friendly host - David was a friendly host and the accommodations were very comfortable. I enjoyed the location within walking distance to a nice beach and a couple restaurants. The kitchenette and balcony with hammock were a real treat! The balcony was great for wildlife viewing, including a sloth. Please note it is on a hill so may not be easy for all to walk and if you get a taxi, a truck is best.
- Verified traveler (10/5): - We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Charming room and deck, in a jungle setting, just overlooking a great surf break. Our hosts were very helpful and accommodating with setting up and recommending fun adventures. Be ready for big, healthy breakfasts with fresh juice, fruit bowls, pancakes, eggs and more. Lots of fuel for the day, which I needed due to my obsessive surf habit. Definitely rent a quad while you’re there, as taxis get expensive quick. We definitely had an amazing time. If you’re looking for a resort style hotel- this isn’t the place. But if you’re good with a rustic, cabin villa style bed and breakfast with a warm friendly vibe, it’s a no brainer. Oh and the Wi-Fi worked well too.
- Anthony (10/5): Great place - Great place to stay. David the owner takes care of everything. Excellent breakfast also!!
- Alon (10/5): Amazing and unique wood cabin with great breakfast - Unique and amazing cabin on the trees in the jungle, also 3 minutes walk from the beach. Great quiet location outside busy Bocas town. David the owner is great and breakfast is delicious.
- Andres (10/5): - Would most definitely recommend Surf Break at Paunch to anyone staying Bocas del Toro. Especially if you are not big into the the night life scene that is all over Bocas town or are just looking to get away from city life and want to be in nature
- Jerome (10/5): Le meilleur petit dej du Panama - Mignonne guest house en retrait de bocas à proximité de la jungle ce qui nous aura permis de voir des singes et paresseux le matin au réveil . Petit dej merveilleux , hôtes d’une extrême gentillesse , merci à David et sa compagne. Vélo dispos sur place et indispensables si vous ne voulez pas payer le taxi à chaque virée en ville (entre 6 et 10$ pour 2 selon l’humeur des chauffeurs ) ou faire 1h30 de marche Une adresse à ne pas manquer Merci
- Verified traveler (10/5): - Super Hostel auf der Hauptinsel Isla Colon. Nur 15min mit dem Taxi vom Hafen entfernt. Möglichkeit mit Fahrrädern kostenlos die Insel zu erkunden, zum schönen Strand "Playa Bluff" sind es nur wenige Minuten. Frühstück war ausgezeichnet, Besitzer David und seine Mum sehr nett und hilfsbereit. Der Paunch Strand an sich ist weniger schön, da er als Straße benutzt wird. Zimmer sind sehr geräumig und schön, kein TV. Allerdings sehr hellhörige Bungalows.
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