A 3-bedroom floating villa in San José, Bocas del Toro, with a sun deck, kayaks, paddleboards, and rainforest views. Sleep 6 across two bathrooms in a fully off-grid waterfront retreat.
The Space
Our Floating Home offers a unique adventure stay in a tranquil bay surrounded by rainforest and abundant flora and fauna. Guests have exclusive use of the entire home and its water toys, with opportunities to:
- Swim and snorkel
- Paddleboard and kayak
- Hike across our 27 acres
- Observe monkeys, sloths, birds, and reptiles
The 2,000-square-foot floating home includes:
- Three bedrooms
- Two bathrooms
- Queen-size mattresses in every bedroom
- An indoor bar and comfortable lounging areas
- Cooking and serving dishes
- Two refrigerators
- An ice maker
- An indoor hot shower
- An outdoor shower for rinsing off after swimming
The second-story sun deck features waterfront views, lounge chairs for sunbathing and stargazing, and a gas grill for barbecues. The third bedroom is located on this level and includes a swinging bed.
A separate floating dining area is also available for memorable meals with family and friends.
Guest Access
Guests have full access to the grounds, including the gardens and rainforest. Exploring the property offers a distinctive experience surrounded by nature.
Water equipment includes:
- Double-rider clear kayak
- Paddle boat
- Single kayak
- Paddleboard
Located in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, the property provides access to one of the most exciting areas on Panama’s Caribbean coast.
Transportation and Boat Hire
- Stays of two nights or more include complimentary transportation to and from Bocas or Almirante.
- One-night stays are subject to a $100 pickup and drop-off fee.
- Our boat is available for excursions at $250 per day.
Other Things to Note
This is a fully off-grid, eco-friendly accommodation. Electricity is supplied by a large solar system, and the water is collected from rain and filtered to ensure it is clean.
Because the property is off-grid, guests may occasionally hear a generator running. Most of the time, the natural sounds of the ocean, birds, monkeys, and jungle surround the home.
The Floating Home is not recommended for children who cannot swim, as the property is located on and surrounded by water.
Guest reviews
5.0
· 42 reviews
4.9
Cleanliness
5.0
Accuracy
5.0
Communication
5.0
Location
5.0
Check-in
4.9
Value
What guests are saying
5
Matthew
1 year ago
Terrific place and location on a beautiful calm bay. As advertised. Dave and Shelly are very friendly and accommodating hosts. Had a great stay.
5
Veronique
1 year ago
Where to begin! Shelley and Dave were very friendly, easy to reach and it was a very memorable moment at their floating house. We took a tour with them on their boat. They showed us many places (nice birds, beach, snorkeling, even dolphins!), it was really worth the additional charges! We could see a sloth and monkeys right near their house, do kayak and snorkeling around the floating house, look at the stars and ear the forest wake up in the morning from the bed (which were really comfortable). What a wonderful moment we had there. We would recommend 100%!
5
Lisa
1 year ago
Very generous hosts. We stayed 4 nights so Shelley & Dave picked us up in town and took us grocery shopping which was super helpful. They know all the good places to eat and snorkel. We hired them for 3 days of boating and they took us all around and let us use their full face snorkel gear and pool noodles. Bring sunscreen, hat and coverup for the boat--not much shade on the boat & you can get toasty in the sun. Bocas del toro is beautiful!
5
Robert
1 year ago
It is not easy to find the right words to describe our experience. The floating house that belongs to David and Sally is something from another world. Just imagine that you have the opportunity to spend your holiday in a place you dreamed of in your childhood dreams. A fairy-tale house floating on the waves of the Caribbean. But this dream is all the better because there is something extra to it. Because where your imagination ends, David and Sally are just warming up. The bed is attached to the ceiling by chains, the grill is a natural part of the floating dining room. There are kayaks that will take you to the uninhabited islands that are just a stone's throw away. This and much more is fully available to you. And if you think it couldn't be better, there's David and Sally. The most decent people in the world, who are always ready to advise, help, or take their boat and spend the whole day with you, on a trip. Nothing is impossible. And even if you don't need anything right now, they're here for you to just talk to you. I recommend it!
5
Muriel
2 years ago
Thanks again Dave & Shelley! This atypical floating accommodation delighted us. Recommended for all adventurers who would like to immerse themselves between the sea and the Panamanian jungle. Very friendly hosts and more than available!
5
Lindy
2 years ago
We stayed at Sum Beach in May. My mom and I stayed there while tying up some loose ends on a property we are buying in the nearby area. Dave picked us up in town, helped us get our groceries back to the property and we got the grand tour from Shelley (who has a shark eye for detail)! You won’t find nicer, more responsive hosts! They really went above and beyond for us, and we left feeling like a part of the family. We didn’t have time for excursions, but I have no doubt that any excursion would be a BLAST with these two fun-loving, vivacious hosts. Be sure to take a hike through the grounds on their mainland property, as the fora and fauna is truly stunning. Shelley has managed to create a try “Garden of Eden”. Good chance you’ll see a sloth or monkey too, but at the very least you’ll hear the wild jungle sounds and taste paradise like no where else on Earth! I highly recommend!
5
Michelle
2 years ago
My friends and I had a great time at the Floating home. The location is tranquil and the water surrounding the house is perfect for swimming, kayaking, SUP, and starfish sightings. The upper deck has beautiful views with a comfy swinging bed and loungers. Was also great having an outdoor bar and separate BBQ area. The hosts have a nice boat and are available for custom excursions. Would recommend a stay at the floating home for a unique experience.
5
Darcy
2 years ago
We recently had the pleasure of staying at Dave/Shelley's rental & it was truly amaziing. Dave & Shelley made us feel welcome & went above & beyond to ensure our stay was memorable. In the morning, roosters would crow, fish would jump, parrots would sing & the howler monkeys howling in the distance. They took us on exceptional excursions. They were extremely knowledgeable of the area & tailored each excursion to unique site such as hidden beaches, starfish beach, monkey island, bird island, charming local shops, floating restaurants & so much more. It was an adventure filled fun you'll never forget. Dave/Shelley provided us with unforgettable experiences ensuring we had an incredible stay. Overall, our stay exceeded all expectations. Their warm hospitality, attention to detail, and exceptional daily excursions made it a truly memorable experience. If you're looking for a 5-star rental w/hosts who go above/beyond, we highly recommend booking Dave/Shelley. You won't disappointed!
Host replied
5
Annett
3 years ago
We felt very comfortable. It was a unique experience to be in this house. Dave and Shelley met our requests,and were super helpful. Due to street blockades, we could not use full time. We were offered free transportation to Colon Island. Our car is on Dave and Shelley's property during this time. We thankfully accepted that. We are happy to have met two such warm hosts. Thank you for everything from the bottom of my heart. Ralf and Annett
5
Kathryn
3 years ago
Our stay at Sum Beach Sum Where was a truly wonderful and unique experience. Our hosts, Shelley and Dave made us feel so comfortable in our surroundings and were very attentive to any of our needs. This was a relaxing and fun vacation full of many adventures. Shelley and Dave took us to many different beaches that each offered its own experience. We snorkeled, rode scooters on along side a beautiful beach front, Zip lined in the jungle, and drove thru Dolphin Bay where they put on quite a show for us right behind our boat!
Host replied
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