important information
AGE RESTRICTION - The minimum guest age is 8 years old.
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CHECK IN / OUT - Check in time is at 3 pm. If you arrive earlier, you may store your bags at reception until your room is ready. Check out time is at 11 am. You may similarly store your bags at reception until your departure. We can coordinate transport needed for airport departures at any time.
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ARRIVAL - From the airport, take a taxi ($4 pp) or walk (10 min) to the Bocas Water Excursion dock on Calle Primera, hire a water taxi to take you to the "Palmar dock at Red Frog" (a fair price is $8-10 pp). After a scenic 15 minute boat ride, the boat will bring you to a small dock on the bayside entrance of Red Frog Beach. You will then have a beautiful ten minute walk to Palmar across a jungle path where you can see monkeys, sloths, red frogs and caimans if you keep your eyes open! Be prepared to show a digital copy of your reservation to avoid the $5 Park Entrance fee.
If you cannot carry your luggage, get in touch with us before taking the water taxi to coordinate our wheelbarrow service ($3 per wheelbarrow, 8am to 9pm, subject to availability).
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If you are planning on arriving after dark, please make sure to bring a light as the path is safe but not illuminated. Let us know so that we can make sure someone is available to check you in.
FOOD - Our restaurant offers an a-la-carte menu with lots of vegetarian and some vegan options. Please note that there is no guest kitchen.
Unless you are staying in an Island Bungalow, please do not bring any food. Doing so will attract ants and other insects.
There are a couple of other restaurants a short walk away.
PHONE & INTERNET - We offer free WiFi. If you need to make a local call, you may use our landline. For international calls, you will need to use a VoIP like Skype on a personal device.
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MONEY & PAYMENT - Keep in mind that most places in Bocas only accept cash. The local currency is US dollars. There is an ATM at the bank in Bocas Town that you can visit before departure. Please do your best to bring enough cash for your stay. Be prepared to pay for your accommodation with cash at check-in to avoid a 5% credit card fee. During your stay we will keep a tab of all food, drink, and rentals that will be paid at check out.
CREDIT CARDS - We do accept Visa and MasterCard, but please note that there is a 5% fee.
WATER & ELECTRICITY - Palmar is powered by the sun and rain. Both water and electricity are precious. We offer unlimited refills of UV purified rainwater for drinking. Each accommodation type has access to USB outlets. The Island Bungalows have regular 110v outlets. You can charge larger personal electronics at the bar or reception.
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PET FRIENDLY - Please message us directly if you'd like to bring your pet.
WHAT TO BRING - Below is a list of some recommended items.
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Easy to carry backpack-type luggage
Reusable water bottle (we offer free unlimited refills of purified water)
Biodegradable toiletries (we provide shampoo and soap)
Rain jacket
Headlamp / Flashlight
Beach towel
Waterproof case for phone /camera
Bug spray / Sunscreen
A good book
WHAT NOT TO BRING - It is very important that you do not bring any food (unless staying in a unit with a kitchen). Palmar is located in a beautifully lush rainforest, and there are many small insects which are attracted to any kind of food. We have a full service restaurant, and there are three other places to eat within walking distance.
Please do not bring any high power consumption items like speakers, hair dryers, etc.
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We also ask that you do no bring any plastic bottles or packaging, unless you intend to take it with you when you leave.
INSECTS - Mosquitoes are not a big issue at Palmar due to our location near the water and the ocean breezes that grace the property. However, we are located in the jungle! There are bugs, so if this makes you uncomfortable it may be best to stay somewhere in town.
HANDICAP ACCESS - Palmar is not handicap accessible. Palmar's sleeping areas are accessed via steps that may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues. Please understand that your attention to safety is very important in such a remote location.
SECURITY - Due to our remote location, Palmar is one of the safest places to stay in all of Bocas. However, it is still a good idea to keep your electronics and valuables locked up. Please note that we cannot accept responsibility for any items lost / damaged / or stolen.
While we will do everything possible to ensure your comfort and safety, we cannot accept responsibility for bugs, water or electrical shortages caused by acts of nature. Thank you for your understanding!