Al Natural Resort in Bastimentos Island

Al Natural Resort – “A magical place in complete harmony with nature”

Concept

Between jungle and sea, Al Natural Resort is a comfortable and private retreat, perfectly integrated into the lush tropical environment.

The resort elegantly combines the ancestral craftsmanship of the Ngobe-Bugle Indians with new technologies that allow the resort to harvest energy from the sun and limit the impact to the ecosystem. The resort is situated on a small secluded beach far from Bocas Town,  surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and close to the natural wonders of Bastimentos Island National Marine Park in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago of Panama. In order to provide each guest with maximum privacy, it is the goal of the resort to maintain an intimate scale for the resort. There are only seven beach bungalows, each of a different size and unique in design.

Al Natural is an authentic eco-resort with a relaxed atmosphere and a friendly team which offers a comfortable level of personalized services. Gourmet meals are prepared with fresh local products by their European Chef and are served on the two story restaurant.

Location

Al Natural Resort is located on the secluded beach of Old Point (Punta Vieja), on the southeast tip of Bastimentos Island in an area renowned for its natural beauty right across from the Zapatillas Keys of the Bastimentos National Marine Park.

It is a remote location, 30 to 40 minutes scenic boat ride from the town of Bocas del Toro.

Activities to do in and around Al Natural Resort

The surrounding area of the resort is beautiful and very peaceful. There is a small beach made of very fine sand in front of the bungalows which can be narrow depending on the tides. It is a great place to stroll, play racket ball or to find your very personal perfect sun bathing spot! Swimming in the lagoon in front of Al Natural is always safe. At the end of the dock, there are very practical and comfortable stairs going into the water. You can kayak and snorkel in the reefs just in front of the resort by using the sit-on kayaks and snorkeling equipment. Several coral reefs are accessible by swimming from Al Natural. You can also discover the nearby mangroves rivers by kayak.

Many animals such as night monkeys, white face monkeys, Jesus Christ lizards, sloths, caymans as well as many birds, can be spotted near the cabins and on the nature trails of the resort and those in the vicinity. The nature trails allow you to access the open sea side on the other side of the island’s point. Here there are other beaches more secluded, wilder and more exposed to the waves of the Caribbean Sea.

The resort’s new two story restaurant has a canopy observation tower great for birding and horizon gazing. The second story of the restaurant has a great open space the resort uses as a game room with many board games. Also, this is a great place for yoga lovers. In addition, the resort has a recreation building with a ping-pong table used by many guests as well as the local crew and friends.

The docks and its hammocks are the perfect place to unwind and watch the sunset. The dock ends with a large platform great for sunbathing and to gaze the starts at night.

Tours and Excursions in Bocas del Toro

Al Natural offers many opportunities to discover the vibrant nature and culture of the Panamanian Archipelago of Bocas del Toro.

The Resort offers boat tours and excursions, usually 3 to 4 hours long.

• Boat tours to the idyllic white sand beaches of the Zapatillas Islands, with a great snorkeling stop, all within the protected land and water of the Bastimentos National Marine Park.
• Snorkeling tours to explore the colorful soft coral garden near Crawl Key.
• Boat tours in a “cayuco”, the local dug-out canoe, through several mangrove rivers to discover a pristine mangrove forest, home to sloth, and the Indian Village of Salt Creek and its nature trail.
• Boat tours to Dolphin Bay, where dolphins are easy to spot (please note, it is not possible to swim with the dolphins).
• Boat excursions to Red Frog Beach, Long Beach or to Bastimentos town, which is a short walk distance of first beach.

For trekking, Al Natural offers various treks along the seaward beaches and through the jungle of Bastimentos Island. These treks, which are done with a local guide and packed lunches, last between  3 to 6 hours. They start either from the town of Bastimentos, from Red Frog Beach or Playa Larga, when the sea allows it. These walks take you along the seaward beaches of Bastimentos, including the magnificent Long Beach which is within the national park and through the jungle by using a primitive trail to reach the village of Salt Creek where we send another boat to take you back to Al Natural.

For surfing, Al Natural can organize surfing tours, with Javier Lijo the Resort’s surfing instructor, who has extensive knowledge of the area. He knows all the waves around and chooses the surfing spot according to your level of proficiency and the sea conditions.  He has a couple of surf boards for you to use and other boards can be rented in Bocas Town. Please note that there is a reef break at the point in front of Al Natural. It is a great break, but not always accessible.

For fishing, you can go trolling with the Resort’s big motor boat for groupers, barracudas, king fishes, and other Caribbean fish.

For diving, due to the remoteness of Al Natural it is not practical to stay at Al Natural if you want to dive everyday. However the resort can coordinate dives in Crawl Cay. Also when the weather permits it is possible to arrange dives close to Zapatillas Cays or at Tiger Rock.

Bungalows

All bungalows are stilt houses and are situated right on the beach. They provide occupants with uninterrupted views of the water and the surrounding flora and fauna.

The front part of the bungalow is open to the sea and the back is enclosed with 3/4 high walls. If you want to close the bungalows, it is very easy as they are equipped with canvas curtains. All beds have orthopedic mattresses and custom-made no see-um mosquitos nettings. All bungalows are equipped with a hammock, reading chairs and a coffee table, as well as a locker and a safe for valuables.

Types of Bungalows

• Natural House
• Superior Natural House
• Two-story Natural House
• Two-story Superior Natural House
• Three Bedroom Natural House

Packages

Al Natural Package

Included in the Al Natural Package is reception at the Bocas del Toro Airport, transfer to the resort by a 30-40 minute scenic boat ride through the Bastimentos National Marine Park and return to the town of Bocas del Toro on departure; Three full meals based on fresh local products and catch of the day, red and white wines with dinner; free use of kayaks, snorkeling equipment and fishing tackle.

You are welcome to go along for free with any of the resorts already scheduled boat trips to Bocas Town.

Does not include: boat trips and guided excursions, bar consumptions and local taxes which amount to 7.5% (hotel tax is 10% calculated on half the price of the packages and ITBM which is 5% calculated on half the price of the package).

When you book the Al Natural Package in September and October, the hotel has a Special Sun Drenched Months Package (please note these are the two best months to go to the Bocas del Toro Archipelago).

Book a three night minimum stay and you get the benefice of a $30 discount per person per stay (no higher price for the first night), the local taxes (a 7.5% value), one boat tour (Zapatilla, Coral Key, Mangroves rivers with discovery of the Indian Village of Salt Creek, a tour to the Village of Bastimentos or one special trip to the town of Bocas) and a welcoming cocktail.

All Inclusive Package

In addition to what is included in the standard Al Natural Package (transfers, three full meals, free use of kayaks, snorkeling equipment and fishing tackle) are included all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, one excursion per day and all the local taxes (valued at 7.5%)

Excursions are usually 3-4 hours boat tours (half a day). With a stay of two nights,  the hotel usually offers a boat tour to the idyllic beach of Zapatillas cays in the marine national park with snorkeling stops or a snorkeling tour to Crawl Kay and its surroundings or a boat trip in a “cayuco” (traditional wooden canoe) up mangrove rivers to discover wildlife and the Indian Village of Salt Creek.

With a stay of 3 or more nights, you can choose additionally among various treks (3-6 hours) through the jungle of Bastimentos National Park and the beaches of the Bastimentos Island, a boat trip to Dolphin Bay, Long Beach or Red Frog Beach, or a private boat ride to Bocas Town in Isla Colon. Also, you can decide to go fishing (trolling with the resort’s captain in a big motor boat or the traditional way with an indigenous fishing guide in a wooden cayuco). When feasible, whole-day excursions, with packed lunch, are also available.

At Al Natural, the resort has a full bar (a lot of different rums and many other imported spirits). Classics include Pina Coladas, Margaritas and Passion Fruit Daiquiris.

A minimum of two nights stay is required. All persons reserving this package for five or more nights have to be aware of the limited number of boat excursions. Availability of excursions depend of the weather and sea conditions.

Honeymoon

Al Natural is pleased to offer a very romantic honeymoon dinner or wedding anniversary dinner. It includes a special five course gourmet dinner served in the most romantic setting, the bohio build at the end of the dock. You eat there in complete intimacy by candlelight, facing the sunset. The dinner is accompanied by champagne and specially selected white and red wines and is composed of many exquisite dishes made of the best local seafood. Previous clients rave about this special feast.

Reserve this hotel: info@panamatravelgroup.com

+507-202-1111 (Panama)   |    1-786-539-4731 (USA)