Popa Paradise Beach Resort

The owners, Vince and Rosie, were so welcoming and checked in every day to make sure things were going well. The meals were delicious, and definitely save room for dessert. The views over the sea and land are unforgettable, and I thought the price was worth it. It's a very remote place, though we felt completely safe and never even locked the door. Don't expect city conveniences, but that quiet, different pace was part of the appeal for us. There are still plenty of things to do nearby, and the snorkeling at Cayo Coral was the best I've experienced. It's unlike the usual trip where you feel you've already seen it all. The clothing-optional side isn't the main focus, and you can wear what you like as long as you're comfortable with other people making their own choice too. I can't say enough good things about it. Just go!

It's a quiet little resort with just 14 rooms, so it never felt crowded. From the property, it's only a few steps to the clear Caribbean water. We took kayaks out to snorkel in the bay south of the resort several times. Kayaks, snorkeling gear, fishing rods, paddle boards, and other water equipment are available. The island is very remote, about a 35-minute boat ride from Bocas Town and its airport. There's no cell service, and internet is only in the lobby. We had booked after a bad experience in Old Bank on Bastimentos Island. I made the reservation at 3 p.m. Tuesday, and Vince arranged for a boat to collect us from Old Bank at 8:30 the following morning. Vince and Rosie were friendly and accommodating. They're Canadian too, which was a nice surprise for us. The local staff come from nearby indigenous villages; most speak little or no English. I didn't mind, and it gave me a chance to practice Spanish. Meals are included, three a day, served during a 90-minute window. You sit down when you're ready, and staff bring whatever has been prepared that day. Both the pool and lobby bars have plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, often made with fresh fruit. We'd usually avoid a clothing-optional resort, but I'm glad we didn't let that stop us. The setting and quality made it worthwhile. Only about half the guests chose that option, so we just had to look away from some naked people now and then. Vince and Rosie also arrange tours at reasonable prices. A boat captain took me to one of the staff's villages, where Valentina, a lovely indigenous woman, showed me how to make coconut bread. We went by boat to the Zapatillas, and a guide took us on a jungle walk from the resort. There were also options to see monkeys or visit other snorkeling spots. I'd highly recommend it if you're after a peaceful, off-the-grid vacation.

The trip there was straightforward for us. We flew to Tocuman in Panama City, took an Uber to the Panama Canal Holiday Inn for the night, and had time to visit the Panama Canal visitor's center the next morning before our 1 p.m. Air Panama flight to Bocas. We spent eight nights in early October, nearly having the resort to ourselves. Our Ocean Casita was lovely, and Vince, Rosie, and the staff were amazing. We snorkeled, had a day of scuba, and visited a chocolate farm, all of which were excellent. The local staff were so friendly, and Vince and Rosie were wonderful company. Food was superb every day, including ceviche and plenty of fresh fish. The tricky part was keeping track of the drinks, especially with Mimosas starting at breakfast. When we weren't eating or enjoying drinks at the swim-up bar in the pool, we read books. It was easily the best clothing-optional experience we've had, and we've been to many. We'll be back soon!

It takes some effort to get there, but we highly recommend going. We came home recently from a beautiful seven-day stay in a peaceful, serene setting. The place felt like a self-sustaining, eco-friendly paradise, with a laid-back boutique atmosphere that was almost Zen-like. The local indigenous staff were attentive to every need, and the food was five-star. Often, that evening's main course was the catch of the day. Owners Rosie and Vince clearly love the place, right down to the thoughtful background music playlists they put on throughout the day. Many guests choose the clothing-optional setting, though not everyone does. It quickly felt like a natural part of the totally relaxed atmosphere, where rest and unwinding are always close at hand.