Miscellaneous Tips, Panama

Hotel & Restaurant Boca Brava or locally called 'Frank's' is the cheapest hotel complex on the island. It is built on a raised tip of the land offering great views to the surrounding small islands . Having the shape of a ship it gives you the illusion of continuous traveling in the calm waters of the gulf. Moonlit nights are of special charm especially if you go up the central 'mast' which is actually a platform in the front part of the restaurant. We used to end up there with friends under the silvering light of the night sky engaged in endless high spirited conversations. Inevitable in such a wonderful scenery! The rooms are built on both sides of the 'ship' giving great views among the tall trees. The cheap rooms with shared bathrooms are as low as 10$ and have romantic balconies where you could spend your whole day with no complaint, if there was not so much more to do. The disadvantages are that having no other shops on the island you are at the mercy of the hotel owner, though the restaurant is not expensive and the food is quite good. And the nearest beaches are a half hour walk from the hotel though the path leading to them is through a wonderful journey in the jungle. Of course you have to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon because the heat is unbearable even in the shady parts of the path.
However being confined in the place you have the chance to make new friends as people get more sociable. I was very lucky to meet beautiful people and share unforgettable moments with my new friends. I thank them for their friendship and their open heart and I will keep them in my heart even if we never meet again. I spent 6 days there and didn't get bored for one single moment.
Our favorite dish was meat cannelloni, a superb rich and delicious plate. Our favourite moment was going up on the high 'mast' and exchange personal stories. And our favorite relax time was sitting on our balconies indulging in the beauty of nature.
The worst dish was the fish dishes; the fish always tasted old and tasteless. And my worst moment was when I got lost in the jungle in a boiling midday stroll, when I had to give up my ambition to 'explore ' the island. I never imagined it was so big for my little feet....
The hotel is usually quiet if you stay in the rooms away from the restaurant, except on the days when a party has been arranged. Local groups come and play until very late and it is mercilessly loud. The owner, Frank, has already retired and is selling the hotel with the surrounding land so his presence there is only 'decorative'.
The rooms are spacious and pleasant with good views but not especially clean. Neither are the common bathrooms for the cheap rooms. The expensive rooms are cleaned more often.
Anyway the place is good and it is worthy of a short stay. Don't come without your repellent! There are mosquitoes and very ferocious small flies called 'chitras' by locals...
There are facilities for washing your clothes.
Room prices are 10$-30$ for one person, 15$-50$ for two, depending on the room. If you stay for more than 6 days they give you the seventh free. But I think nobody can stay more, anyway....

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Panama Hotels