Reviews of Dolphin Bay Hideaway

Not only was the Dolphin Bay Hideaway the most beautiful location we have stayed at in Bocas del Toro, but Brian and his team were also the most welcoming and attentive hosts we have met during our travels. The scenery is breathtaking, surrounded by rich nature and abundant wildlife, and the food was simply outstanding. We especially appreciated the thoughtful touches—like early morning coffee, the relaxed atmosphere of just spending time at the Hideaway, and the freedom to shape each day as we wished. Brian is a truly remarkable host: knowledgeable, generous with his time, always ready for a friendly chat, yet never intrusive. We left feeling not only rested and inspired, but also deeply grateful for such an unforgettable experience. The combination of the stunning location and Brian’s warm, engaging personality created the perfect mix for a memorable stay, leaving us not only rested and inspired, but also deeply grateful for such an unforgettable experience. If you wonder whether reality can live up to the glowing reviews, imagine it actually surpassing them.

Nothing.

Beautiful, quiet and serene escape into nature. My room was slightly bigger than expected, great food, the grounds are beautiful, there's no end of wildlife to watch and Brian is really passionate about regenerating the land. A personal highlight was doing yoga in the pavilion one morning and having a hummingbird hovering over my face during savasana. I'd recommend 3 nights here, as 2 wasn't quite enough.

Nothing - perfection

The food and location was amazing. The staff was very friendly and made sure we were not lacking anything.

Very nice location and surroundings, nice activities around to do. The kitchen is very good and all the personal as well.

Incredible magical place with the best hospitality, food and location with dolphins actually swimming in front of the pier. Brian provided everything and more to help make our stay the best it could possibly be! at dinner we met the most amazing people from other parts of the world. A beautiful experience overall! We even had massages while we were there on the property. The staff are some of the friendliest we encountered on our 2-month travel journey. This is a must for anyone traveling to Panama. Thank you Brian and team for everything! We hope to return someday but have so many countries to explore

Everything was perfect!

Very nice place, VERY quiet, charming, very good cooking, you better speak English or Spanish. Perfect place to stay 2-4 days. No need to go fareway on Zapatilla...

So much wonderful wildlife on/near the property: dolphins, sloths, poison dart frogs, birds. Brian took us out on a boat in the evenings to go dolphin watching in the bay. It was easy to coordinate excursions to area attractions with pick up and drop off right a Dolphin Bay Hideaway. Beds were comfortable and they had plenty of fans to help cool things down. There were comfy places to hang out and read and the vegan options for meals were very nice.

Really nothing. It was lovely.

The excellent service (thanks a lot Brian & team!), the great food, the beautiful location of the hotel, the available tours

Our experience at Dolphin Bay Hideaway cannot be beat. A few highlights. 1. The grounds/lodge. The grounds are beautiful. Very well taken care of without looking too manicured. It was wild beauty. We booked the Island room. It was a good size and came with small organizational areas for luggage and putting items away. The bed was comfortable and had two fans attached to it. There was also a floor fan to point at the bed to help stay cool. We went in February, so it wasn't too hot. The bay is also beautiful. I get seasick easily but could swim in the bay without issue. It's like a saltwater pool. I kayaked out into it with my son without any worry. 2. Meeting other guests. The lodge is small and intimate. Everyone eats together around a large table. You also meet the other guests on occasional excursions. It strikes the perfect balance between privacy and community. On our trip, we met people from Germany, the midwest USA, and NYC. 3. The service. Brian is phenomenal. He's a great host, and strives to make sure that you can have the experience you want. My son loves to fish, and Brian arranged an afternoon outing for my son to experience how the locals do it (trawl fishing). It was different from anything my son had experienced before (we are from the northeast USA so fish primarily with rods). Even though the fish weren't biting for him, our guide caught a few fish, and the novelty of it all led my son to list this fishing excursion as the highlight of the whole trip. If you dislike the sterility hotels and loved the backpacking/hostel community in your youth, but are old enough now to appreciate a nicely appointed room with amenities - Dolphin Bay sits in that intersection. Nice rooms. Beautiful lodge. Beautiful grounds. Beautiful location. Community and warmth.

A lot of lunches were "out." In the sense that we'd take a boat out to eat. This is not a criticism and more of a lack of knowledge. It's pretty isolated so there's nowhere else to eat if the kitchen isn't open for lunch, and you can't get anywhere without hopping into a motorboat. If we were to revisit, I'd pack some instant ramen for those days when I didn't want to be on a boat and just wanted to sit around the lodge and do nothing. That being said, the places we were taken for lunch were delicious, especially Deja Vu Cafe.

Un véritable paradis We wish we would have stayed longer !! Thanks so much Brian for the jungle tour, the boat tour with dolphins and the sloth adventure 🦥 The food is delicious 🤤

Dolphin Bay Hideaway is a little gem tucked away in a beautiful mangrove-lined bay where Dolphins hang out (yes they really do) and surrounded by its very own rainforest that the owners have worked tirelessly to regenerate. This is the perfect place if you want to get off the beaten track, relax, eat delicious food (and drink amazing cocktails), in beautiful surroundings, with lots of options for swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking straight from the dock, or boat-ride excursions, such as snorkelling or visiting palm fringed beaches (deserted if you get up early). Brian is a warm and welcoming host and had thought of everything to make our stay a special one.

Nothing. Everything was wonderful

Thank you Brian and your lovely Team! I had chosen the accommodation with high expectations from home in Germany (cold and gray in February) and was really looking forward to it. My expectations were even exceeded: Brian's hideaway is enchanting: it is quiet, the garden and forest and rooms are lovingly and tastefully designed in every respect, the food is incredibly delicious, Brian and his team are extremely attentive, caring and kind and the rooms and all communal areas are super clean. The tolerant, loving approach of Brian and his team is not only evident in their hospitality, but also manifests itself in nature. They are reforesting the existing forest and focusing on diversity and naturalness; the renaturation will bring back animals, and they also rescue wild animals kept as pets. The fact that they are saving areas of nature and networking with neighbors brings hope and confidence and I can definitely recommend a stay at Dolphinbay Hideaway (yes, you will see dolphins :-)).

nada.

The location is a perfect place to unwind. Bryan and the staff are perfect hosts. The food is generous and flavoursome. Free use of paddle boards and kayaks are a lovely bonus and daily dolphin sightings make it a wonderful place to stay. If you come try Bryan’s signature passionfruit daiquiri- yum!

Nothing

This place is truly a hidden paradise on Earth, but what makes it even more special is Bryan and his incredible team. They are the perfect hosts, with a wonderful way of making you feel taken care of and ensuring you enjoy every moment here. We even extended our stay because we just didn’t want to leave! They’ve done an amazing job transforming this place into such a paradise. Don’t miss the chance to spend time with Bryan – he’s like a walking encyclopedia, full of knowledge and stories. The room was beautiful, spotless, and everything was designed to make you feel like you're in heaven. And the food? Absolutely delicious – a true treat! C’était un régal. Thank you again for this unforgettable experience. We will dream of returning one day!

Nothing!

Absolutely loved Dolphin Bay Hideaway! The atmosphere and staff were amazing. Amy and Brian really made us feel welcomed, and it will be a place we will always remember. JA's food was outstanding! Brian's nature walk and evening boat cruise were highlights of our stay. Dolphin Bay Hideaway far exceeded our expectations.

Liked everything.

Such a wonderful piece of paradise. We loved staying here, welcoming and friendly, wonderful food and great location. We enjoyed a wildlife walk in the surrounding jungle, seeing lots including a couple of sloths. We also went kayaking and saw coral and starfish….but the stand out activity was a sunset boat trip to see the dolphins, something that will stay with us for a long time

N/A

Dolphin bay hideaway is like heaven on the earth The location is really relaxing and immerse in the nature Brian is super and making you comfortable at the best The staff helping Brian is perfect; food is great with local organic fresh ingredients To go to Bocas, this location is the best

Casa de piedra, where we were based, is under renewal so not 100% same level than the main house

Fabulous location tucked into a bay 20 minutes away (by boat) from the more visited areas in Bocas, surrounded by trees, mangroves, sloths, birds, butterflies and DOLPHINS galore!! Stylish rooms, comfy beds + superb meals, large decks to enjoy calm ocean views, + free use of paddleboards and kayaks = 3 days of paradise. Very boutique experience with only 4-5 rooms. Hosts have made major replanting efforts on surrounding land (where they guide guests on an informative easy hike) and have a strong relationship with the adjacent village. Kudos.

Those not accustomed to heat may find it hard sleeping, as the rooms can stay warm all night (no AC). If you don't want full board package, bring some food along as there are practically no options in the area. Hosts were accommodating about stowing stuff in their fridge/using kitchen gear. Visibility underwater was low in the bay during our stay, so snorkeling was better on nearby islands that are accessible by a short boat ride.

Host - Brian shared his knowledge of the jungle and his work to remediate and plant native species. The lodge is a paradise with beautiful gardens and birds. The meals were delicious and created with care and the presentation was impressive.

Take bug spray

Dolphin Bay Hideaway is the perfect name for this hidden gem. If you’re seeking an escape on a remote island in Bocas del Toro, nestled in the middle of a lush mangrove forest with breathtaking views of the bay, look no further. From the deck, you’ll spot dolphins jumping during every meal. Grab a kayak at sunrise or sunset for a closer look – it’s truly magical. The service provided by Brian, JA, and Potin was exceptional. Their dedication and care to ensure every guest’s needs are met is unparalleled. Brian’s deep knowledge and care for the local flora and fauna enriched the experience, and they were always attentive, creating a homey yet adventurous atmosphere. The food was balanced, fresh, and delicious, making every meal as enjoyable as the company. This is a place that truly takes you away from it all – but be warned, if you’re looking for a sanitized resort experience or the convenience of a shopping mall, this is not the place for you. Anyone who cannot appreciate the beauty and serenity of this place does not deserve it. I will absolutely return. This is a stay I will never forget.

Nada

The location is amazing . You can kayak with the dolphins every time you like directly from the hideaway . A unique place and the host Brian makes this accommodation even more unique !

Dolphin Bay Hideaway is a piece of heaven on earth! It’s the perfect place if you’re looking to connect with nature and enjoy calmness and the beauty of Dolphin Bay. Brian and his team have been exceptional providing everything we needed and beyond. We enjoyed our hiking across the area looking for sloths, discovering plants, frogs and birds, as well as our snorkeling and kayaking around the bay. We saw dolphins every single day we were there, watching them jumping and be playful from the main deck. Looking forward to coming back!

Nothing!

The highlight of our trip to Panamá. The location is simply spectacular: set in a gorgeous, colorful garden, surrounded by jungle and with beautiful views of the bay from the rooms and upstairs dining area. The waters were super calm, clear (snorkeling was excellent) and - best of all - teeming with dolphins. The rooms are spotlessly clean and have all the amenities you could possibly need. Staff is super friendly. Meals are copious and delicious. The owner, Brian, is the nicest of guys and went out of his way to make our stay as comfortable as he possibly could. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the local fauna and flora: a true community minded ecologist and a lover of good music and excellent cocktail maker to boot. Thanks again for a truly memorable couple of days Brian!

Outstanding experience in a very familial setting; there are rooms for only up to 11 guests and Brian and his staff do an extraordinary job in making this a special stay. Besides Brian & staff the key is the shared veranda.

If you can choose, go for the upper rooms (more light)