There would be good reason to keep this tip to myself – to deter tourist traffic to this exquisite little gem of a vacation spot. But how can I resist? Located in a pristine archipelago on the northern coast of Panama, The Jungle Lodge [1], or “La Loma,” gives you access to lush mangroves, tropical wilderness, white sandy beaches that are untouched (literally), natural Jacuzzis, and fragrant groves of cacao, banana, and coconut. If that’s not romantic enough, La Loma houses a butterfly farm [2] – nectar-filled gardens that attract droves of colorful winged creatures.

And it’s affordable – a mere $80 a night, including meals and afternoon tea. Guests stay in spare but elegant hilltop cabins overlooking the sapphire waters.

The trick is getting there: Accessible only by boat, La Loma is near a tiny town, Bocas del Toro, that only the domestic Panamanian airline Aeroperlas [3] flies to. Alternatively you could fly to San Jose, Costa Rica or Panama City, from where you must embark on a long bus ride and then a water taxi.

Image credit: La Loma [3]