Important Information
Arrival Information – Upon your arrival in Bocas please come to Casa Verde Hostel and Guesthouse on Avenida Sur. Once there, the receptionist will check you in & arrange your transport to Palmar, acquaint you with the town and assist you with any shopping needs you may have. We offer shuttles from Casa Verde at 9:45 am and 4:30 pm daily. Our shuttle is cheaper than a regular boat taxi and we have people meet you with wheelbarrows to help you with your luggage on the 10 minute hike across the island. If you do need to come after our last shuttle departs at 4:30 pm the receptionists at Casa Verde can arrange a water taxi for you. Please be advised that after 6 pm the price for a water taxi goes up as it gets dark.
*IMPORTANT: Please come check in at Casa Verde before coming out to the tent lodge! If you try to take a boat to Red Frog and find us on your own you may not find the lodge very easily as Red Frog is a large area with multiple entrances. It is no fun to be hiking around lost with all of your gear! Additionally, you need to pick up a Palmar wristband at Casa Verde reception to ensure that you don't have to pay the $3 admission fee at the Palmar Dock. This wristband is good for free entrance only at the Palmar dock, NOT the Red Frog Marina dock. At Casa Verde they can also make sure that you boat driver takes you to the correct entrance if you choose to arrive separately from our shuttle.
Food - Our restaurant offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items for purchase and also serves up one family style dinner each night. Breakfast is from 8am-11am and lunch is from 11:30am-4pm. You must sign up in advance (by 5 pm) to take part in the family dinner. Vegetarian options are always available! We no longer have kitchen facilities available for guest use.
There are two other restaurants within a short walk. Punta Lava Beach Bar & Grill is just 5 minutes down the beach and they have food from 11-4 pm and drinks from 11-sunset. Kayukos restaurant is only 10 minutes away up a jungle path and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have ping pong, pool and darts.
Water and Electricity - Water and electericity are prized commodities at Palmar Tent Lodge. All of our electricity comes from the sun and all of our water comes from rain catchment. As such, please do your best to conserve these precious resources. When showering please take care to minimize water use. It has been said that one way to do this is to shower with a friend or two – hah! Seriously though, when showering please turn the water on and wet yourself. Then turn the water off before soaping up. Turn the water on again after lathering up and rinse off quickly. Finally, please always turn off any fans and lights when leaving your rental. Doing so will help us conserve critical resources and make your stay much more comfortable.
Insects - Mosquitos are not a huge issue at Palmar Tent Lodge due to its location near the water and the ocean breezes that grace the property. However, due to our jungle location there are some bugs and we do provide mosquito netting for those who wish to use it. It is suggested that you bring one or more varieties of insect repellent just in case. We sell bug spray, coconut oil (great natural way to keep the bugs away!) and also inexpensive mosquito coils that help keep unwanted insects away when burned.
Money - Please note that most places in Bocas accept cash only, including Palmar Tent Lodge. The currency is US dollars. There is an ATM at the bank in Bocas Town that you can visit before departure. Please ensure that you bring enough cash with you for your stay.
Please be prepared to pay in full for all accommodation with cash at check in. During your stay we will keep a tab of all food, drink and rentals that will be paid in cash at check out.
Payment with Credit Card: If you prefer to pay for your accommodation charges with a credit card you must do so BEFORE arrival. There is a 5% fee for all credit card charges. You will still be expected to pay for your bar tab in cash at check out, we cannot accept cards at the lodge, only online.
Cancellation policy: Your payment will be refunded in full if you give at least 5 days notice of cancellation. There are NO partial refunds.
ADA, Handicap Access and Safety Issues – Please note that Palmar Tent Lodge is not ADA or Handicap Compliant. Palmar's sleeping areas are accessed via steps that may not be suitable for guests with strict mobility issues. Parents are advised to accompany any child they feel is incapable of using our facilities without risk of injury. Please understand that your attention to safety is very important in such a remote location.
Telephone & Internet – We have Mas Movil cell phone service in our Great House at Palmar. Our internet service is VERY limited & fairly slow. We have an iPad that is available for guest use (when not in use for business purposes) for a rate of $3/half hour or $5/hour. We do not have WiFi but you can make a short 10 minute hike through the jungle to Kayuko's restaurant (part of Red Frog Resort) where you can use their WiFi internet with the purchase of food or drink.
Please understand that while we will do everything possible to insure your comfort and safety we cannot accept responsibility for bugs, water or electrical shortages caused by misuse of our systems and accidents or acts of God. Thank you for your understanding.
*IMPORTANT: Please come check in at Casa Verde before coming out to the tent lodge! If you try to take a boat to Red Frog and find us on your own you may not find the lodge very easily as Red Frog is a large area with multiple entrances. It is no fun to be hiking around lost with all of your gear! Additionally, you need to pick up a Palmar wristband at Casa Verde reception to ensure that you don't have to pay the $3 admission fee at the Palmar Dock. This wristband is good for free entrance only at the Palmar dock, NOT the Red Frog Marina dock. At Casa Verde they can also make sure that you boat driver takes you to the correct entrance if you choose to arrive separately from our shuttle.
Food - Our restaurant offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items for purchase and also serves up one family style dinner each night. Breakfast is from 8am-11am and lunch is from 11:30am-4pm. You must sign up in advance (by 5 pm) to take part in the family dinner. Vegetarian options are always available! We no longer have kitchen facilities available for guest use.
There are two other restaurants within a short walk. Punta Lava Beach Bar & Grill is just 5 minutes down the beach and they have food from 11-4 pm and drinks from 11-sunset. Kayukos restaurant is only 10 minutes away up a jungle path and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have ping pong, pool and darts.
Water and Electricity - Water and electericity are prized commodities at Palmar Tent Lodge. All of our electricity comes from the sun and all of our water comes from rain catchment. As such, please do your best to conserve these precious resources. When showering please take care to minimize water use. It has been said that one way to do this is to shower with a friend or two – hah! Seriously though, when showering please turn the water on and wet yourself. Then turn the water off before soaping up. Turn the water on again after lathering up and rinse off quickly. Finally, please always turn off any fans and lights when leaving your rental. Doing so will help us conserve critical resources and make your stay much more comfortable.
Insects - Mosquitos are not a huge issue at Palmar Tent Lodge due to its location near the water and the ocean breezes that grace the property. However, due to our jungle location there are some bugs and we do provide mosquito netting for those who wish to use it. It is suggested that you bring one or more varieties of insect repellent just in case. We sell bug spray, coconut oil (great natural way to keep the bugs away!) and also inexpensive mosquito coils that help keep unwanted insects away when burned.
Money - Please note that most places in Bocas accept cash only, including Palmar Tent Lodge. The currency is US dollars. There is an ATM at the bank in Bocas Town that you can visit before departure. Please ensure that you bring enough cash with you for your stay.
Please be prepared to pay in full for all accommodation with cash at check in. During your stay we will keep a tab of all food, drink and rentals that will be paid in cash at check out.
Payment with Credit Card: If you prefer to pay for your accommodation charges with a credit card you must do so BEFORE arrival. There is a 5% fee for all credit card charges. You will still be expected to pay for your bar tab in cash at check out, we cannot accept cards at the lodge, only online.
Cancellation policy: Your payment will be refunded in full if you give at least 5 days notice of cancellation. There are NO partial refunds.
ADA, Handicap Access and Safety Issues – Please note that Palmar Tent Lodge is not ADA or Handicap Compliant. Palmar's sleeping areas are accessed via steps that may not be suitable for guests with strict mobility issues. Parents are advised to accompany any child they feel is incapable of using our facilities without risk of injury. Please understand that your attention to safety is very important in such a remote location.
Telephone & Internet – We have Mas Movil cell phone service in our Great House at Palmar. Our internet service is VERY limited & fairly slow. We have an iPad that is available for guest use (when not in use for business purposes) for a rate of $3/half hour or $5/hour. We do not have WiFi but you can make a short 10 minute hike through the jungle to Kayuko's restaurant (part of Red Frog Resort) where you can use their WiFi internet with the purchase of food or drink.
Please understand that while we will do everything possible to insure your comfort and safety we cannot accept responsibility for bugs, water or electrical shortages caused by misuse of our systems and accidents or acts of God. Thank you for your understanding.
