Finding a castle in Boquete, Panama, is easy.
There’s only one, and everyone seems to know about it. Ask any stranger on the street to point you in its direction, and they’ll send you up a steep road to Bambuda Castle.
It’s an odd structure to find in the middle of Panama’s rainforest, and while it was once a private home, today it’s a hotel.
As my car traveled up a winding, steep road, a tan stone tower eventually appeared. I had made it to Bambuda Castle.
In recent years, Boquete, Panama, has blossomed into a popular travel destination. It’s home to expansive coffee plantations, challenging hikes, and a growing population of American retirees.
I visited the town earlier this year, and when it came to finding a place to stay, a castle seemed like a remarkable choice.
And while castles usually ooze luxury and extravagance, Bambuda is one of the town’s more affordable hotels.
Everyone I spoke to during my two days in Boquete knew exactly where I was staying when I mentioned a castle. In a town filled with one-story bungalows, a castle stands out. The locals told me that while it was once a private residence, it was sold and transformed into a budget hotel in the last decade.
Two Canadians, Tom Oman and Dan Adelman, started the hotel and hostel brand Bambuda in 2014 when they opened their first property in Panama’s Bocas Del Toro. A few years later, they purchased the castle in Boquete.
As they expanded across Panama, the pair targeted budget travelers. For example, Bambuda Castle offers a range of accommodations. Shared rooms cost $20 a night for a bed, and on the more expensive end, visitors can rent an entire cabin for $120 a night.
I wasn’t there for a room overlooking the castle’s moat. Instead, I had booked two nights in one of the property’s Hobbit-inspired tiny homes.
It’s not just a castle that Bambuda is known for. Four tiny homes on its property feel straight from a “Lord of the Rings” novel.
Each tiny home can accommodate two guests. A few weeks before arriving in Boquete, I reserved a “Hobbit house” for two nights. After taxes and fees, the tiny house cost me $155 a night.
On arrival day, I found the reception desk at the front of the castle, checked in, and received a key to my tiny home.
The staff excitedly welcomed me to both Bambuda and Boquete.
Beyond accommodations, the property works with tour operators to help coordinate activities for guests. I didn’t have enough time to join a tour, but I eyed a booklet highlighting various activities, from coffee tasting to whitewater rafting.
A short trail led to my tiny home for the evening.
Once check-in was completed, the receptionist pointed out a short trail to my tiny home for the next two nights.
As I dragged my suitcase along the paved path, I admired the lush green grass, blossoming flowers, and towering palm trees.
The tiny homes themselves were impressive from the exterior. The entire structure was coated in thick, soft grass. I figured the room’s bed would be comfortable, but the grass looked equally enticing for a nap.
It was like I had been transported to Hobbiton, the fictional place in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” books.
Outside the structure was a small patio overlooking the Baru Volcano and lush coffee plantations.
Perhaps even more impressive than the grass structures was the view. My tiny home’s small patio had space for two chairs and a table.
From the patio, I saw nothing but green. Lush mountains reached to sky, and fields of coffee plants could be spotted in nearly every direction.
Inside, the design was simple.
After taking in the view, I pulled open a sliding door and stepped inside the tiny house.
One large room had enough space for a queen-sized bed, two small nightstands, some storage space, and a small table.
The interior was clean and simple. The majority of the room was filled with a queen-sized bed.
Two wooden nightstands hugged the sides of the bed. Near the entrance was a shelving unit for storage and belongings, and near another curved wall was a small high-top table.
A small door led to a rock-walled bathroom.
The room’s wooden accents, stone walls, and metal details felt rustic and reminiscent of Hobbiton.
Along the back wall, a large wooden door led to the bathroom.
The domed bathroom had space for a sink, toilet, and shower.
The rustic and wooden themes continued into the bathroom, where I discovered a stone-walled shower and a large wooden vanity.
It had everything I needed for a two-night stay: privacy, comfort, and stunning views.
With fresh towels, clean sheets, and a stunning view, I was all set for my short stay in Boquete.
That afternoon, I explored the rest of the property.
After settling in, I adventured out of my tiny home to explore the rest of the property.
On the other side of the castle was a row of yellow cabins.
These cabins seemed more spacious than the Hobbit homes, and each cabin had a larger, shaded terrace.
According to Bambuda Castle’s website, they’re a bit more affordable at $90 a night.
Then, I headed back toward the castle. A moat filled with koi fish surrounded the stone structure.
Koi fish and lily pads filled a shallow moat surrounding the Bambuda Castle.
Inside, I found a restaurant with communal seating and a large balcony.
Bambuda Castle had two large shared rooms. The first was home to the property’s restaurant and bar, which served various foods, from burgers to sandwiches.
Whether you were purchasing food or not, guests were welcome to use the area’s seating, pick out a board game to play, or head upstairs to a TV room.
Downstairs was a pool, jacuzzi, and communal kitchen.
The second communal area was downstairs. It included a large pool, a small jacuzzi, and a communal kitchen for guests who would rather cook than eat out.
Once I explored the property, I was ready to return to my tiny home and soak in the views.
While the castle and cabins were stunning, the views from my Hobbit houses were the highlight of my two-night stay.
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