If you love the idea of staying in a private overwater villa but dread a 20-hour flight to Polynesia, you may be in luck. For U.S. residents, a personal paradise is about to get a whole lot closer when the unique Viceroy Bocas del Toro Panama resort opens in 2023.
Situated near the border of Costa Rica, Bocas del Toro is an archipelago off the coast of Panama. And, while the resort will be brand new, the archipelago itself has a rich history. Past, ahem, “visitors” include Christopher Columbus in 1502 and even 17th-century pirates.
Today, the region is best known for its laid-back Caribbean lifestyle and massive banana plantations.
With the opening of the Viceroy Bocas del Toro, it will now also be known as a luxury resort destination as well. Only accessible by boat, seaplane or helicopter, the resort will span 457 acres of coastline and include 186 guest rooms, with 42 private overwater villas.
Much like your greatest Tahitian fantasies, these overwater villas will feature breathtaking vistas of the ocean, each with its own private pool and direct access to the open water via the deck. Excuse me while I pack my luggage …
If lounging all day in your own private hut isn’t enough, Viceroy Hotels promises that guests can also enjoy plenty of island adventures. The resort will offer zip-lining, snorkeling, sailing, paddle boarding, cycling, hiking and deep-sea fishing.
The archipelago, situated in the San San Pond Sak wetlands, provides an ideal spot for bird watching, too.
Walk Along Private Beaches And Into The Rainforest
The resort will include three full miles of private beaches along with an adjacent rainforest, so you can spend your time bouncing back and forth between relaxation and adventure.
Keeping Nature Beautiful With Eco-Friendly Technology
According to a press release, the resort will also be eco-friendly. It will allow only electric cars, run on sustainable technologies and landscape with indigenous plants. The picture below shows the main building, complete with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.
OK, But How Much Will It Cost?
Viceroy hasn’t opened reservations just yet, so there’s no word yet on cost.
As a comparison, a one-bedroom overwater suite at the Four Seasons in Bora Bora averages around $1,200 a night.
But you can find other overwater bungalows around the world, from Malaysia to Mexico to Greece and even Bora Bora’s French Polynesian neighbor, Tahiti, for even less.
As for the Viceroy resort in Panama, at least we have a few years to save our pennies and start planning our once-in-a-lifetime trip.
If you think this is cool, check out this floating hotel off the coast of Tanzania:
And start dreaming of your next vacation!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories.
