<p class="ingestion featured-caption">Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge in Panama has overwater bungalows. Eibhlis Gale-Coleman</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I spent four nights in an <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/travel/best-affordable-overwater-bungalows">overwater bungalow</a> at Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge in Panama.</li><li>My room only cost $180 a night, and I was right on the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/relocating-costa-rica-best-thing-california-woman-and-her-son-2024-6">Costa Rican</a> border with stunning views.</li></ul><p>I've always dreamed of staying in an overwater lodge, but I've never managed to <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weekend-trip-new-york-city-on-budget-not-worth-it-2023-12">budget for a trip</a> to somewhere like the Maldives to make it a reality.</p><p>Then, while planning a trip to Costa Rica, I came across <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=50b692eda7b45d276c663af895d6fa2db9021c91860c1aa86e9ebf0baad70412&postID=6696a332c87a0f570986095a&postSlug=punta-caracol-acqua-lodge-overwater-bungalow-panama-worth-it-review-2024-7&site=bi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fhotel%2Fpa%2Fpunta-caracol-acqua-lodge.en-gb.html%3F">Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge</a> in Bocas del Toro. Although it may not be as well known as other <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-trips-to-book-for-2024-underrated-destinations-travel-planner">popular destinations</a>, Bocas del Toro sits next to the Costa Rican border in western Panama. It's a true blend of jungle and Caribbean beach territory.</p><p>The resort had overwater bungalows for about $180 a night. A basic hotel in the US <a target="_blank" class href="https://lodgingmagazine.com/j-d-power-2024-nagsi-study-shows-travelers-are-paying-more-for-hotel-rooms/">costs about $160 a night</a>, so I couldn't resist what seemed like an incredible deal.</p><p>I paid $714 for a four-night stay in a two-story overwater bungalow. Here's how it went.</p>