Frommer's Review
Playa Caracol is a string of stylish, thatched-roofed bungalows that gently curve across a sky-blue Caribbean Sea. Travel magazines wax poetic about Punta Caracol as the resort that vacation dreams are made of, and one look at their website and you'll hardly disagree. But really, the resort doesn't live up to its potential, especially when you consider the price. The owner should be applauded for his eco-friendly concept of architecture that treads lightly on the environment (using solar panels for light, for example). The nine tropical-chic bungalows are painted in cheery lime and yellow, and fitted with elegant furnishings and French doors that open onto a veranda overlooking the blue sea. The big perk, then, is that you can swim and snorkel just outside your door. During sunny, calm days, there's no better hangout spot than the chaise longue or hammock on the veranda, where the water laps at your feet. A walkway leads to an enormous, open-air restaurant where guests dine, by candlelight, on white linen tablecloths. But where Playa Caracol fails is with its staff, who are poorly trained and unenthusiastic. The tour desk is disorganized and not able to clearly describe excursions, which come at an additional cost (meals are included, however). Considering that there is no beach here and nowhere else to walk to, a sense of claustrophobia can set in, so good day excursions are a must. A 15-minute water taxi to Bocas is $20, meaning guests are stuck dining on truly mediocre cuisine at the lodge. It can get stuffy in the cabins on steamy hot nights, and in inclement weather, rain and heavy winds can batter the bungalows and make the walk to the restaurant a slippery adventure for older, less-agile guests.
Punta Caracol is a romantic getaway that is best-suited for honeymooners or any couple that wants to be cooped up in their own bungalow paradise -- for about 2 days. That said, this is the most upscale lodging on Isla Colón. Five of the cabins are the same size, while one cabin is twice the size of the others and suitable for families (although the resort doesn't accept children under 14). There are also two Luna Suites that are more expensive only because of their additional front terrace. Rates include lodging, breakfast, dinner, and round-trip transportation from Bocas.
Facilities:
Restaurant; bar; tour desk
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
