La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm in Bocas del Toro

Amazing place. We did the farm tour with Robert, he told us a lot about the plants and fruits on their farm and also the cacao making process. After that we had an amazing lunch with a gorgeous view. Very serene place. Highly recommend!

Really tucked away in the jungle, need to get there by boat.

My two friends and I had an amazing time at La Loma Jungle Lodge, where we were immersed in the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation and wildlife. The entire experience is ecologically mindful, sustainable, and integrated into the nature around you, with beautiful design for comfort as well. We loved waking up to a chorus of sounds - parrots, monkeys, cicadas, and more - beckoning us to get up and enjoy the cacao tea and muffins already delivered to our room, while getting a close-up view of the wildlife through the provided binoculars. The meals and cocktails were so delicious, fresh, and healthy; we were never hungry despite all of the walking we did around the jungle! We also loved taking a tour of the permaculture garden/food forest and cacao farm - delights for all the senses. This is truly a special place.

We just returned from the Jungle Lodge. It was fantastic. We totally loved our stay. We visited another similar property in the area and our group of 4 all liked this one the best. The food, views, trails, excursions, main lodge. Wow! just amazing.

I stayed here with my girlfriend for her birthday. It was a wonderful luxurious experience. The manager, Margarida, was wonderful. She put out a birthday card and flowers for my girlfriend and they surprised us with a cake, chocolate of course. The food was great, the morning yoga was wonderful, and we enjoyed the tour of the farm as well. Obviously this place might not be a good fit for anyone concerned about cost, but it was a wonderful experience

Our time at la Loma was magical. As a family of 4 with two teenage kids we all had experienced adventure, relaxation and connection. The food was delicious and was always prepared with so much love and care from the staff. All food was made from local ingredients which increased our feelings of connection to the jungle. Sleeping in the jungle and hearing the sounds of nature and the rain falling on the roof was soothing. Yoga in the morning with a view of the bay directed by a kind and skilled teacher was excellent. The day long adventures were fun, exciting and educational. The staff was so flexible and accommodating to our needs. We felt more like part of an extended family than guests at a resort. I can’t recommend la Loma more highly. If you want to get away, be taken care of lovingly and explore the beautiful landscape of Panama come here! We will miss it.

Disappointing…We stayed last month for three days in the La Loma Jungle Lodge. I can’t evaluate the conditions before the pandemic. The „pathway“ up to the restaurant was breakneck (see the attached picture). The restaurant itself is a wonderful place to get athletes foot because the guests are asked to take the shoes off every time you enter the open built restaurant. Corona on the other hand did not seem to exist there when we were looking for hand sanitizer without success and the guests sit together on two large tables during dinner (The restaurant as I mentioned is open built but I guess there is still a risk when you are asked to sit together without distance). It’s not possible to choose your meals. They were apparently improvising when I told them, that I don’t like fish for dinner. It’s not recommended to swim in the area in front of the lodge because dozens of boats arrive at the landing stage daily. It’s rather recommended to take a boat to one of the beaches on the island (the Jungle is too dense to reach one of those beaches by foot). This trip to a beach with extreme strong surf costed us another 50 Dollars for two persons. We felt ripped off.

We hade a 4 night stay at la loma and at first we were amazed of the jungle and the lodge. I was excited to taste the various advertised local foods. Sadly we almost ate the same things with minor changes in the menu for 5 days. At the check in the invoice had to be split in 2 parts that were less than 1000$. At the end we payed 100$ more than the invoice we have received with the confirmation. There is absolutely no price transpearancy so be prepared at the checkout to pay every little extra beside the 3 meals and the cacao farm tour. We had e realy nice stay but the price /the missing transparacy & the unfulfilled expectations connected to the high prices is the reason for the lower graded review. Jose is a nice person but Margarida had a realy cocky behaviour.

Beautiful place. Nothing like feeling one with your environment. This place definitely provides you the opportunity to do so with creature comforts. Very secluded with morning yoga classes.Only issue would be food and portions. If you are a skinny mini or on a diet, no problems. Wasnt a major issue but I thought it deserved mention. Definitely small portions and limited options.

Beautiful off the grid Eco lodge located in the jungle. Great food but small portions. Rooms private in the jungle. Must be comfortable with bugs,loud jungle noises, and monkeys. Very Zen feeling throughout the facility.

Great staff, great concept, great food.Its the typical place to experience living in the Jungle. If your scared of animals, bugs, or reptiles its definitely not your place. Keep in mind that the facility is located in the hill and thats going to be some hiking from the rooms to everywhere where helps you be in shape.

Food, property, staff

Just an extraordinary place!!!! In the middle of the jungle, this place is wonderful and so beautiful ! The view from the restaurant is amazing, the food incredible! People are so nice. You eat what is grown on their farm. Sloths are among their friends. Easy to move to Zapatilla, Bocas… best experience ever

Incredible place and restaurante! HIGHLY recommended!

this place is the greatest place on earth!! give my regards to mr. kelly and roger!

I cannot say enough about La Loma. We stayed there just over a year ago. By far the best place I have ever stayed, before and since. The staff, both in house and volunteers, went above and beyond. The food was local, fresh and absolutely delicious. I didnt have a bad meal. Every dessert incorporated the rich, decadent chocolate from the farm. I loved the picnic baskets that they packed for our excursions. Roger was an excellent tour guide, very informative, laid back and just a great guy all round. The tours were fantastic. We did the bat cave, zapatillas and then a day trip to Red Frog Beach. All 3 were well worth it and completely appropriate for kids. From pickup to drop off, they managed every detail. The fresh muffins and coffee in the morning at the room. The delicious granola that I brought back many bags of. The marmalade was to die for! They were so good to my son. He liked to try things but didnt actually care for a lot of it. They made him both a dinner and a plate of pasta and butter. The volunteers spent time with him looking for sloths and birds in the trees. The rooms/tree houses were fantastic. I loved laying in the hammock in the morning reading. The beds and linens were soft and comfy. There is something absolutely luxurious about the showers, how they are outdoor yet secluded, with the massage of river rocks on your feet. I wish I could have stayed there forever. The location is remote and not easy to get to, but very much worth the effort. I love how they support the local economy and schools. They really try to give back to their community and promote economic advances in the community. They have local handmade goods for sale at the resort.

A beautifully located lodge, with lovely hosts and staff and really tasty meals, all of which made it the highlight of our trip to Panama. Thanks very much. Eliza

I had an amazing stay here! Ariel and Zabrina are amazing hosts and I feel they (and the staff at la lomado everything they can to ensure you have a wonderful experience.Some details on the stay:The room -it was really cool staying in a room with no walls, you’re constantly surrounded by the sounds of nature and fresh air. And being able just to sit in a hammock and look out into the jungle for animals is quite an amazing thing.But since it is open (and more likely because you are on a jungle), you do get bugs. Do follow the advice on using bug spray and the coils, but don’t expect to leave un-bitten.The food -wow, just wow. I had heard the food was good but experiencing it first hand is something on another level. Not only do each of the meals taste excellent, they were very healthy! Most of the ingredients are sourced from what’s grown around the property so everything is very fresh and picked at its ripest. The fruits are some of the best I’ve ever had. One awesome thing they’re doing is having a common table where all the guests sit down for dinner. I think this is really cool because you get to talk to one another and see what everyone did during their day and what recommendations they have. Also getting to know one another and making new friends.The experience -First the tours, we had a couple tours with Mr. Kelly and Roger and they are wonderful and friendly. They’ll take the time to go at your pace and to slow down and explain things in detail. They really have a passion for what they do and for the area that they live in. I remember kayaking to the bat cave with roger and a loud motor boat passed by. He told us that’s no way to enjoy this place, the noise scares away the animals and the smell is just awful. So on his tours, he always kayaks or turns off the motor and paddles when going through the creek to the cave.No wifi, I do like my wifi, but I found that I was not missing it. There was always a lot to do and being able to just disconnect and take things at a slower pace was very relaxing.Ariel and Zabrina -I feel they are the heart and soul of la loma. They are so attentive to everyone’s needs. I remember Ariel always asking everyone what their plan was for the day so he could prepare lunches to go if needed. Also if someone didn’t show up for dinner he would ask if they were ok and if he could pack something to go for them.They’re also great about stopping to chat with you, regardless of how busy they are. I know we were talking late one night and we lost track of time and it was past his bed time. I’m sure he still had things to do to close up but he never rushed us out or made us feel un-welcomed.They also have an amazing vision and heart for the community. They do everything they can to reinvest to the community, from hiring locals and giving them training (massage therapy, high-end cooking, etc...that they can then take with them where ever they go.The staff -The hidden face of la loma. We hardly get a chance to interact with the staff but I know that there’s so much going on behind the scenes that needs to be done to keep la loma running. From clearing paths for hiking, cooking, getting ingredients, tidying the rooms, carrying luggage, making up super early to get the pre-breakfast box to everyone’s room. They’re really amazing and I wish I could thank them all personally.The animals -Aside from the wide animals roaming the property (monkeys, sloths, red frogs, all sorts of insects, etc). There are three domestic animals that are really friendly and fun to play with. Two dogs and a cat. The cat (menchican be found in and around the lodge hanging out.Zorro and ninja (the two dogswander the property and you’ll encounter them randomly. Zorro more than ninja.Zorro is hilarious, you bump into him half way along a hike and he’ll hike with you for a bit before running off and doing his own thing. Or meet you at the dock and walk you to the lodge. Very very friendly dog.

Most wonderful tour and lunch, a must do in Bocas. Mr Kelly gave us an insightful and enjoyable tour of the surrounding forest. The pace and interaction is spot on and the cacao experience at the end was informative and tasty! The lunch using local ingredients was supper yummy and beautifully presented. Well worth the advertised price.

My wife found the place by chance and we went based off others reviews. All the reviews have been spot-on. Thank you for the recommendations some made and wanted to follow up. We went in mid-February 2019 and I am writing this soon after we got back. The place is run by Ariel (I hope I am spelling his name rightand Zabrina who are great hosts. As good as the place is by itself, they make it better. They are doing what they are doing for all the right rights and are positively impacting those around them. They also have a dedicated staff, and many have been there for years such as Mr. Roger and Mr. Kelly. This review will try and go over some of the apsects of La Loma.The place itself is well kept. In fact, the property is gorgeous. You stay in one of lodges (only 4 totalwhich is open air. There are no windows. See photos. There is a mosquito net around the bed area though you don’t feel claustrophobic at all. It is beautiful and puts you right in nature yet comfortable. At night you hear the sounds of the jungle, but it is not crazy loud. It is very calming. You have a hammock you can chill out and read or just take it in during the day. I sat there one afternoon for an hour watching a sloth and iguana upon in a tree… it was simple and great. Watching the sloth, iguana, birds, frogs, etc is a show.Activities. We never went to Bocas once. Everything we needed was done at La Loma or nearby La Loma. There is a walking tour of the property which can be done solo or guided. The Chocolate Tour is very cool and more than just chocolate. BTW, sucking on a cocoa seed is nothing like you’d expect. You can get a ride to the beach. Snorkeling. There are different snorkeling options and all very cool. We snorkeled a couple of times. We went to the beach and there are a couple of options of beaches depending on how fit you are. There are more involved snorkeling adventures that other guests raved about. We did a boat trip up to a bat cave and that was cool. Also did a night walk around the property and saw it differently than in the day. We got massages also which well done.Community. They are dedicated to the local people. We went down and checked out the school started by a charity. Please bring a few school supplies and help them out. It takes just a few bucks or a little room in your luggage. You will feel good about that aspect as well.Food. The surprise was that the food is AWESOME. The photos serve as proof. It is the part we never expected to be so good. I know from others that they serve a vegetarian option but a meal go like this... they make it, and I ate it. The food was a real treat, especially breakfast and dinner. The drinks are well made very much enjoyed in the warm weather.We did not have any set plan going in. We just talked about it with Ariel. Truly deserves the high praise the other reviews both on Google and Trip Advisor. Im going to post this review on TripAdvisor because Google and because they were the main reviews we looked at.We took our five-year-old and she loved it. When there, there was a mother and her 12 year old having a great time. And when we left a two adult couples were there.. so varied mix.Great place and would visit there again. Hope this helps.

Amazing 👌

We did a chocolate tour at La Loma and loved it! We learned a lot about the process of chocolate making starting from the kakao fruit to the bar. The lunch we had there was absolutely delicous and the people running the farm are amazing. Totally recommend that place!

Amazing experience. Treetop cabins, amazing food, chocolate bean to bar workshop - all in the heart of the rainforest

The most amazing dining and hotel experience in the Bocas Islands. Excelente!

We had the most amazing experience at La Loma!! Of all of the places we traveled in Panama, our stay at La Loma was by far our favorite retreat. Henry and Margaret are the warmest of people and are genuinely interested in their guests. Each evening we would gather at the lodge surrounded by the warm light of the oil lamps while listening to the music of the jungle all around us to delight in the most delicious local food. We shared stories with other guests while we sipped cocktails made with local ingredients. My partner and I gently swayed in our hammocks while watching a mama sloth climbing methodically through the trees with her baby clinging to her belly. Parrots and Montezumas Orenpedulas squawked and bubbled in the canopy as the first light of the day greeted us. This place is like no other and we hope to return again in the near future.

Sin duda merece la mayor puntuación posible. Un pedazo de paraíso en la tierra. Y como no, con angeles como Karen y Steve, la experiencia es todavia mejor.Fantástico!

Forest-chocolate tour, plus lunch was absolutely enchanting and lovely! I recommend it highly to anyone visiting the Bocas area and I hope well return some day to stay overnight. The main kitchen/dining area is in a lovely structure amidst the trees. Lunch from local ingredients was delicious, including various chocolate dessert treats and the miracle berry - youll have to visit to learn what makes it miraculous. The forest tour was great too - so much knowledge about trees and plants dispensed with humor and wisdom by Kelly. We loved it all and enjoyed spending our brief time meeting Henry and Margaret as well, and learning a bit about their story and how they built this remarkable place in the forest. Thank you!

We had a tour and lunch there and it was just wonderful. The owners are great and super interesting hosts. The food was amazing and this is definitely a place worth coming back for.

Did a great tour with the owner and stayed there for lunch! Just beautiful place, house and area!

Have to say that the hosts are top notch and above average in service, dedication and quality. They work very hard to keep us happy, and the feeling of family is very strong and welcoming. Recommended only for people who are capable of walking up stairs as every place is on some sort of elevation and not suitable for those with limited mobility. Meals are high quality and gourmet, something that a real foodie like me can fully appreciate. I highly recommend La Loma Lodge if youre looking for a jungle retreat in Bocas del Toro.

We went for a tour and lunch at La Loma Jungle Lodge. It was, without question, the highlight of our trip through Panama. The owners were exceptional hosts but most strikingly we found ourselves invigorated and inspired from sharing in their passions for food, sustainability and community. From our fascinating tour of the cacao farm, to the once in a lifetime opportunity to make cacao paste by our own hands to the delicious, locally sourced meal --- our experience left us in awe! We have definite plans to return in the future. Gracias!

One of the best Eco-Lodges ive been to . Great Hosts, great vue and the lodge keeps on getting better every year . Its small and comfy but still totally open to nature. There are no windows at all and the experience of the sunset in those rooms is one of my best memories ever

Its dificult to describe La Loma, the beautiness that surround us there, the comfort of the lodges and specially the warmth of the owners!!!!One of the highlights of Panama!One of the best places where Ive been!

What a fantastic experience!! Fabulous hosts, delicious 5 star food, lovely accommodations- more than we had hoped for! (Check out trip advisor ratings)

Ive just returned from La Loma. It was a fantastic experience. The staff took great care in preparing our meals and providing us with comfort and safety while giving us the most authentic natural experience I could have imagined. Every night included fresh ingredients off the farm and was highlighted by fresh cacao chocolate dessert!I saw every type of animal I had hoped to witness; Capuchin monkeys, three toed sloths, red dart frogs, iguanas, blue morpho butterflies, bottle nosed dolphins, cuttlefish, hummingbirds, green parrots, grey parrots, parrot fish and many more...I participated in jungle hikes, snorkeling, kayaking the bay, and educational hikes on the cacao farm and through the native plants in the jungle that are gathered for teas and herbal remedies.I highly recommend you get off the beaten path and catch a boat out to La Loma for a few days. It will change your perspective and open your eyes and your heart to the possibilities of living. Be sure to scratch my friends; Minchi, Goose, and Jelly the cat and dogs that welcome you and watch over you throughout your days there.