Careening Cay Resort in Isla Careneros, Bocas del Toro Archipelago

The waterfront paradise Careening Cay Resort is on the island, Isla Carenero, named because Christopher Columbus careened his ship here in the bay, in 1503, before his last voyage home. 

The resort now encompasses 6 acres of lush, tropical landscaping and over 600 feet of waterfront and the backyard is a verdant rainforest.

The Careening Cay Resort is set on a point facing west, which captures the refreshing Caribbean breeze and offers up fabulous sunsets.

The resort is peaceful and quiet. Hummingbird feeders are located throughout the property and it is a delight to watch the hummingbirds’ graceful movement and activity. 

Many different birds including parrots can be heard singing and conversing in the trees. Butterflies, including huge Blue Morphos abound, gekkos and fiddler crabs are simply a fact of life here. 

A butterfly stamped sidewalk joins all the facilities and plans for adding a butterfly conservatory are under way.  The resort is  just a two minute boat ride across the bay to Bocas Town.

Giving you a chance to enjoy the convenience of close proximity to town, yet removed from the hub, noise, pavement, cars and heat, while on your own tropical island. A fifty foot dock extends out over the water leading you to the popular Cosmic Crab Café. The restaurant’s delicious food and exotic frozen drinks are considered by tourists and locals alike to be amongst the best in the area.

The Cosmic Crab Café

Newly built over the water restaurant boasts exceptional food, delicious exotic frozen drinks, friendly service, and wide water and gorgeous sunset views. Be caressed by a Caribbean breeze in one of the 3 “Ranchos” alongside the main dining area, for more private dining and small parties.

The restaurant has excellent reviews in Frommer’s Guide to Panama and Lonely Planet and enjoy a great reputation for reasonably priced, consistently good food and ambiance from travelers and local residents alike.

Fish and seafood is bought from local fisherman and Crab and Lobster divers who stop daily at the restaurant’s dock to sell the day’s catch and enable the restaurant to provide the freshest quality, deliciously prepared food right to your table.

Menu favorites include

• Caribbean King Crab Claws
• Whole Grilled Lobster in Lime Garlic Butter Sauce
• Crab Cakes
• Seafood Bisque
• Caribbean Coconut Chicken Soup
• Tequila Lime Chicken Fettuccine
• Hickory and Thai Burgers
• Tender Filet of Beef in a Mesquite, Red Wine Marinade
• Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
• Greek Salad with Feta, Dolmathika, Kalamata Olives and served with Tzatziki and Pita Bread.

Even if you don’t stay at the Careening Cay Resort, we still recommend for you to come for lunch or a Sunset Happy Hour and dinner!

Bungalows

Careening Cay Resort currently has 4 cabins for nightly, weekly or long term rentals.

The resort offers 2 themed room and air conditioned cabins (Hummingbird Cabin, Toucan Cabin and Starfish Cabin) are furnished with a queen size bed, and twin bunk beds, fully equipped kitchenette with table and chairs, gas stove, microwave, fridge, coffee maker, toaster, cooking utensils also includes large bathroom with hot water shower, TV and DVD player, porch with rocking chairs and water views.

The resort’s air conditioned traditional thatch roof 1 room studio style Butterfly Cabin is furnished with a queen size bed, loveseat, microwave and mini fridge, coffee maker, bathroom with hot water shower, porch with rocking chairs and water front view of the bay and Bocas town.

The resort is currently renovating their large penca roof building which will have 2 bedrooms including a loft, fully equipped kitchenette with bar, living room, TV and DVD player, bathroom and hot water shower, porch, with rocking chairs and water views. This family unit will be able to comfortably accommodate up to 6 people.

Rates include a continental breakfast, coffee/tea, juice, fresh fruit,
and chef’s choice, which may include a vegetable omelette, scrambled eggs and toast, apple cinnamon walnut pancakes, or French Toast.

The resort offers daily maid service, towels and linen. 
Additional laundering (washed, dried and folded) is available at $ 6.00/load.

Things to do around Carenero Island

There’s plenty to do right on the resort and on Carenero and many more places to go, sights to see, beautiful beaches and nature activities, in nearby Bocas town and the surrounding Islands.

Each of the cabins has a water view porch for relaxing, quiet reading and enjoying the antics of the Hummingbirds who frequent the feeders at each cabin and the Gekkos and Crabs who abound and are simply a fact of life.

Careening Cay Resort has 4 acres of semi cleared jungle and a night walk (they will provide you with a flashlight if you did not bring your own) is a nocturnal nature adventure steps away from your own front door. Fish eating Bats, Ghost Crabs, Toads, and eyes in the trees, are easy to find.

Guests enjoy sunning, reading, swimming and fishing off the docks or in the ranchos situated over the water. The resort is happy to provide Indian style fishing equipment and bait catching advise. The small Fiddler Crabs who populate the island make great bait for the yellow snapper who dwell around the docks, catching the crabs for bait is a giggle in itself!

Careening Cay Resort has a small fleet of Kayaks which will let you be captain of your own ship! Rentals are $10.00/day.

The resort has cards and board games. Set up a game of Scrabble, Rummicub, Yahtzi, Chess, Backgammon, in a rancho for a game over the water with a warm Caribbean breeze. It also has an extensive library of books and over 200 DVDs, including recent theater releases as well as movies for the whole family.

Facing west, you can enjoy spectacular sunsets at the end of every day. Immerse yourself in the natural light show in a rocker o enjoy a quiet book.

Many people enjoy walks around the Island of Carenero. There are sandy beaches on the east side of the island with beautiful views of Bastimentos and Solarte. Stop in at the Pickled Parrot for a drink and a great view under traditional thatch roof. If you venture just a bit farther north, the area is uninhabited and shells and coral washed ashore are easy to find. The northern most tip of Carenero has some of the world’s best surf! Take a bottle of water (or a beer!), a towel, sunscreen and a good book and discover Caribbean treats on your own island!

Things to do around Bocas

Of course, many water sports activities are available. You can choose from a selection of day tours and visit numerous islands in the spectacular Bocas del Toro archipelago.

Boating Day Trip

By far one of the most popular day activities is a day long boat trip. Very easy to organize with independent water taxis in Bocas or through Bocas Water Sports or J&J Tours. If you’re willing to join others to fill a tour boat (8-10 people), average cost is $15-20/pp. The most popular circuit includes Dolphin Bay (yes, you usually do see dolphins!), Coral Cay (exceptionally beautiful reef, lots of fish, then lunch in one of the restaurants over the water) and then an afternoon sunning, swimming or surfing at Red Frog Beach. Including Zapatilla a gorgeous uninhabited island which is part of the Bastimentos National Marine Park, will increase your fare to $25/pp. Day Tours are also available to Boca del Drago and Bird Key.

Catamaran Sailing 
 around the Bocas del Toro Archipelago

Take a Day Tour with a licensed, experienced captain, sails around various islands in the archipelago and can include snorkeling. Can accommodate 8-10 people, $35/pp and includes lunch. Reservations are recommended during the high season.

Booze Cruise

The Barco Loco is a uniquely outfitted pontoon boat for sippin’and sailin’ around the islands!!! Reservations recommended.

Snorkeling

Some of the most pristine, unspoiled reefs in the world are found right here in the Bocas archipelago. Beautiful reefs are near to Carenero. Careening Cay Resort can provide masks and snorkels, but they do recommend you bring your own.

Diving

2 PADI certified Dive Centers, Bocas Water Sports and Starfleet Scuba are located in Bocas, just a 3 minute boat ride from Careening Cay.

Jet Skis

Available for hourly rental. Arrange prepayment in Bocas, can be delivered to Careening Cay.

Surfing

World Class surfing around Bocas del Toro. The northern tip of Carenero, 20 minute walk from Careening Cay, has an impressive reputation for challenging waves. Check out Paunch Beach, Bluff Beach and Wizard’s Beach. Surf boards are available for rent in Bocas at Tropix and Flow.

Butterfly Gardens

A Butterfly Gardens and Parrot and Exotic Reptiles Pavillions are in the planning stages right here on Careening Cay. Currently there is a small, lovely Butterfly Gardens available for tours for $5.00/pp on the outskirts of Bocas. The owner is very knowledgeable about different plants and butterfly species. An early morning in the ethereal world of Butterflies is well spent.

http://www.bocasdeltorobotanicalgarden.com/

Jungle Walks/Night Walks

Available with well trained and knowledgeable guides, a fun adventure. See monkeys, sloth, cayman, Iguanas Frogs, Parrots, Toucan, and Kinkajous.

Bird Watching

Hummingbird feeders right here on Careening Cay brings the flying dancers right to your porch and the cosmic crab, herons, egret, pelicans, eagle, hawks, parrots all nest on Carenero. Bird Key is a must see stop for Bird watchers. A beautiful, small island rising 50 feet out of the water, inhabited only by wildlife including hundreds of species of birds.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Center

Beaches

Red Frog, Boca del Drago and Zapatilla are tourist favorites.

Pools

Playa Mango has a small beach area and a great pool. Poolside bar/restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Swan’s Cay Hotel has a pool with bar/restaurant and beautiful view of Carenero and open seas. Garden of Eden on Solarte is beautifully landscaped with stunning views. Hacienda del Toro on San Cristobal, worth the 20 minute boat trip, especially if you include horseback riding. Most have small fees for using the pools, usually $5/pp.

Land, Sea and Air Adventures

Fly over the Bocas del Toro archipelago in a sea plane and see the sights from above.

Learn Spanish

Spanish by the Sea offers private and small group lessons. (www.spanishbythesea.com)

Massage

Relax and enjoy a massage by certified massage therapists.

Eco Tours

1-5 day tours up the Teribe River and into the mountains. Visit Naso Indian communities, native crafts people, organic medicinal gardens or enjoy white water rafting.

Reserve this hotel or any of the tours: info@panamatravelgroup.com

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