www.casaserenitybythesea.com
Private waterfront Cabina on the Caribbean Sea. Located on Oceanside in Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro. Casa Serenity By The Sea: Reef House is 320 sq ft studio layout Cabina with a Queen size bed. Our seaside property has crystal-clear water out front with a beautiful reef for snorkeling. It is walking distance to local surf breaks and a 25min hike to the majestic Wizard Beach. We are next door neighbors with “Reggae Bites” and “The Firefly”. Both have excellent dining in a tropical setting on the water. Other local restaurants & bars are right around the point in Old Bank. Chill in the hammock chair on the front deck or in the hammock down by the water while listening to the lapping waves and tropical birds. The hammock out front is on carabiners and can be removed for full, unobstructed use of the circular meditation clearing (we highly recommend doing this during your stay). You can easily snorkel in the clear water directly off the property via the walk-out area. Beautiful coral heads and sea life are abundant on the reef that lines Oceanside (The water is particularly clear in the “Off-Season” months of May, Sept-November. When the waves are down…the Snorkeling is UP!!! REEF BOOTIES AND REEF/LOBSTER GLOVES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!). Multiple world class surf breaks on the nearby islands including Carenero Point and Paunch’s are visible from the property. Float your worries away out front while you watch epic sunsets in true paradise-style. AC and powerful fans have been installed inside and on the deck for comfort. A full kitchen is available for cooking meals with options for electrical or gas powered. Tea kettle and French Press are available for making coffee. Dimmable lighting has been installed inside and out for ambiance. The mattress is 12" cooling gel memory foam accompanied by down pillows and 100% Bamboo linens. There is a table and bench system for dining. There is also a chair set and small table on the deck. The beautiful furniture is made from repurposed Nispero and locally grown/hand-hewn Black Laurel wood. Come experience the mellow vibes of Isla Bastimentos and the boat-centric lifestyle of Bocas del Toro, Panama. Go for a surf and get barreled in crystal clear water. Re-align yourself with nature in this very special place. Everything you really need is either right in front of you or a short boat ride away.
***Our Caretaker, Yeison, is a Basti local who grew up just minutes from Casa Serenity By The Sea. He lives on property in the middle cabina (Sea Glass) and can help schedule assistance with local knowledge, boat excursions, and carrying luggage. (Please keep this to a minimum. You should come with the mindset of bringing only what YOU can carry to Basti!) Please tip the locals well for their services!
***Know where you are going. This is not a place for the weak of heart. There is a lot of hiking and there are no cars. A public walking path runs along the seashore and is the main point of access to all the waterfront properties. Along with your flip flops we highly recommend WATERPROOF HIKING SANDALS AND HEADLAMPS! Rolling luggage is NOT recommended as the walking paths you will be on have unpaved sections. We have (3) 2600L rainwater collection tanks. These feed the faucets and showers and is 4x filtered for our drinking water. We have a septic tanks and do not flush anything but human waste. Bidets have been installed to reduce paper waste.
Our Property has 3 Casitas. Our Caretaker Yeison lives in "Sea Glass House", which is the one in the middle. There may be guests staying at "Tree Frog House" during your stay. The natural pathway/staircase is communal and you may run into other adventurous souls who have chosen to spend their time in Paradise. It's completely up t you how much you interact with the neighbors, but you are certainly not obligated. The Meditation Clearing/Outdoor Hammock by the water is also communal.
Also...our property is surrounded by jungle foliage, but we do have neighbors. Please be respectful of their property and privacy. However, you will you will most likely find smiling faces with similar mindsets around you, and you may even meet a new friend!
***This is Old Bank...which is known for its vibrance and love of music. Sometimes they play it quite loudly! We are tucked away on the other side of the hill, but town is pretty close by. Enjoy the rhythms of the Caribbean as they drift across the island!***
Also…This is Old Bank. 500 years of Afro-Caribbean culture and history resides here that is to be respected and admired. This mixes with the indigenous Naso Tjër Di & Ngäbe-Buglé tribes that have been here for thousands of years longer. The local dialect is Guari-Guari (a mix of Creole English Patois, Spanish, and Ngäbere), and no you won't understand it...but they speak Spanish and English as well. This is a small town with kids and free-range chickens and little lazy island pups roaming about. Terracing walking paths have been carved out of the hillside that the community have used for generations...this may put a spin on the ideology of "private property"...but it also connects the people to the island in a in a very grounded way. Be humble & be kind in this place. If you are looking for a resort, this will not be for you. If you are chill, seek adventure in an authentic place, and are up for a challenge to be submersed in a slice of rugged paradise…we’ll see you there.
***Casa Serenity By The Sea: Tree Frog and Casa Serenity By The Sea: Reef House can be rented in tandem to hold larger groups.
