Basic facts about the eco lodge
On the mainland of Bocas del Toro, nestled in 31.6 hectares of unspoiled rainforest, sits the beautiful Rambala Eco Lodge! Completely self-sufficient, this authentic eco lodge offers a one of a kind experience to adventurous travelers and nature lovers from around the world. The title process for this property is almost complete!
The area
Outside the regular tourist circuit, the Rambala Eco Lodge appeals to those looking for a special escape, those who travel off the beaten path, and those who seek the best kept secrets of every destination. Located 3 kms off the main road which links the touristy Bocas del Toro archipelago to the conveniences of David & Boquete, the lodge is technically located in the small community of Rambala.
Though buffered by its 31.6 hectares of mature rainforest, the proximity to basic necessities is surprisingly convenient! Rambala town offers several mini markets, hardware stores, restaurants, two gas stations, a bank, and a bus terminal which offers direct transportation to and from anywhere in Panama. Also in the area are a hospital, an aeronaval station, police station, and a new water taxi route linking the Chiriqui Grande Port to Isla Colon, the main island of the Archipelago.
The land
This incredibly diverse property has three year round, spring fed streams which provide cool, crystal clear water for drinking, bathing, swimming and power production. There are two designated areas for year round swimming, both with beautiful waterfalls and perfect sun exposure.
Sitting at a higher elevation than almost any touristic option in the province, the lodge receives steady breezes off of the Caribbean sea during the day & cool mountain air at night, maintaining a perfect temperature of approximately 84°f-89°f MAX during the day and a very comfortable 68°f-75°f low at night.
Over 4 km of well maintained private hiking trails have been carved into the landscape, providing excellent observation points for a great variety of wildlife. Daily encounters with both three toed and two toed sloths are common on the property. There are three species of toucans that have been seen, and hundreds of other beautiful tropical birds that attract the birding community. Kinkajous, three species of monkeys and a long list of other wild animals call this place home.
Throughout the property there are hundreds of mature fruit producing trees including two types of banana, two types of plantains, orange trees, Cacao trees (Chocolate) Guava trees, Mango trees, avocado trees, lemon trees, coconut palms, Guanabana trees and pineapple plants. Along with over a dozen mature( 500+ yrs old) Almendro trees affectionately called the guardians of the rainforest.
The business
This turnkey lodge is fully functional and currently open for guests year round with confirmed bookings extended into the end of the year all while maintaining positive reviews from international travelers online. The Lodge is accessible only by foot or on horse back along a well maintained trail from the parking area, it takes approximately 10-15 minutes to arrive at the lodge. There are a few designated areas with benches to rest if needed along the trail which has been hiked by guests of all ages ranging from 3 yrs-82yrs old with ease.
Horses play an important role at the lodge not only for rides but hauling in guest luggage and supplies, and several are included in the sale of the property. A half acre lemon orchard is fenced for the horses and has its own year round stream and quality grass for grazing. After before and after rides, the horses rest and eat in a corral in front of the lodge, it’s a great place for guests to visit the horses and feed them without hiking to the pasture.
One full time employee who has been on-site for nearly 10 yrs comes highly recommended by the current owners as an asset to the lodge and works closely with the locals if additional workers are ever needed for new construction projects. His daily duties include all grounds maintenance as well as horse care and horseback riding tours for guests, he also hauls in all supplies and guest luggage when needed. When owner/operators are not present, employees stay onsite 24/7 to maintain the turbine system and watch over the lodge for days or weeks at a time.
The lodge currently books guests independently through various online booking sites but also works with three Panama based eco tour companies that use the lodge regularly for their international clients. Currently operating as Panamas only hike-in all inclusive eco lodge. Panamanian cell phone provider CLARO works well all over the property with reliable signals capable of streaming and video chats. Starlink internet is said to be available in the area within the year offering 100 Mbps service via satellite.