Policies & House Rules

Before you make a reservation, please take the time to read the information below as well as to review information in our Travel Tips section.  It’s of the utmost importance that you are fully aware of these to ensure (to the best of our ability) that  there are no issues, concerns or unwanted surprises after you complete your reservation and once you arrive. Thank you in advance for your time to read through these.

Reservation Policy

  • Availability changes daily and is not guaranteed until your reservation is confirmed via email. Reservations are not considered final and confirmed until payment of the deposit is received.
  • Minimum Stay Policy: 2 nights
  • Reservation Guarantee Deposits: Most reservations require an initial deposit in order to guarantee your reservation. 
    • Most bookings require a 20% deposit in order to guarantee your reservation, unless reserving through a website that collects your payment directly.
    • Reservations made through other online travel agents/sites (such as AirBnB, VRBO, Homeaway, or TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals), where payments are made directly with that site, are subject to their payment policies.
    • Payment of the balance is due in cash when you arrive. Payment of the balance via PayPal or Credit Card is subject to an additional 10% fee.
  • Our rooms are designed to sleep up to 2 people only with the exception for the Tree Bungalow Right (which can accomodate up to 3). No additional beds or cots are available unless discussed and agreed to in advance.
  • Check in time is 2:00 pm. If you arrive earlier and your room isn’t ready we can hold on to your luggage while you relax on the property or venture into town.
  • Check out time is 11:00 am. If you need to leave later, please ask us for a late check out. If we cannot accommodate, you are free to sit and relax on the dining deck and we can keep your bags stored  until later in the day when you are ready to leave the area.
  • The property is not suitable for children, we have a minimum age limit of 13 years old.
  • We are unable to accept pets at the property.
  • A government hotel tax of 10% will be added to the total for your reservation.

Cancellation Policy

Surf Break at Paunch is a small operation so cancellations affect us greatly. For this reason, our cancellation policies are strict, as are most here in Bocas del Toro.

  • Cancellations made 30 days before arrival will incur no charge – the deposit will be returned in the same form by which it was paid.
  • If you cancel 30 days or less before your reservation, your deposit is not refundable.
  • No refunds or compensations will be offered for early departures.
  • We are not responsible for the weather (including no waves or too much waves), flight delays, acts of nature or mistakes you may have made with your reserved dates/itinerary or flight schedules during your trip. For this reason, we HIGHLY recommend all visitors purchase TRAVEL/TRIP INSURANCE. Thank you for understanding.

House Rules

  • Check out is at 11am. If you would like a late check out, please let us know at least a day in advance and we’ll let you know if we can accommodate that.
  • All rooms are strictly smoke-free, a $250 room re-conditioning fee will apply to violations.
  • Candles are strictly prohibited in our rooms. All of our buildings are Carribbean style all wood structures – so it’s important to not have any open flames inside.
  • We are 100% on a water catchment system, thus water conservation is particularly important.  We ask all our guests to be respectful of this and conserve water as much as possible.  Basic, easy water conservation tips are provided in the guest book that will be in your room upon check in.
  • Only beach towels should be brought to the beach.  Bath and hand towels must remain in the rooms.
  • Sheets and towels are changed after every 3rd night of your stay. If you would like or need to have sheets and/or towels changed on another day, please let us know.
  • We can accommodate events in our common areas.  Costs would be discussed on a case by case basis, depending on number of people, if bar access and/or catering is required,etc. Large groups or events are not permitted on the property unless approved & arranged by management in advance.