In the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago of northeast Panama, the warm, crystalline Caribbean Sea teems with so much diverse marine life that the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has settled there. Amid this vibrant landscape, the new Nayara Bocas Del Toro offers an idyllic one-of-a-kind base for sustainable immersion in the magic of the region. The romantic adults-only private island resort, nestled beside the mangroves and forest of Frangipani Island, immediately earned accolades upon opening for its elegant overwater villas, lush natural setting, off-grid construction, and coral reef restoration efforts.

Each of the 16 Balinese-style villas, decked out with carved teak furnishings, feature private pools and oceanfront swim-up terraces, with some adding a glass floor inlay to observe the fish darting below. 4 treehouse villas made from bamboo and reclaimed hardwoods soar 50 feet above the ground for a bird’s eye view of the forest and sea from sunrise to sunset. The all-inclusive accommodations are complemented by a spa, 70-foot freshwater pool, and the world’s only aerial beach, a spacious stretch of sand constructed on stilts. Named after the Indonesian word for butterfly, Kupa-Kupa beach has a tiled staircase spilling into the crystal-clear sea, creating the illusion of entering a pool.

The resort’s Elephant House restaurant, a 100-year old structure that traveled all the way from Bali, earns raves for its constantly changing menu sourced from local ingredients. In the evenings, underwater lighting showcases a kaleidoscopic display of fish—along with the occasional stingray or shark—as accompaniment to the international cuisine. A maze of raised boardwalks weave through the island’s 80 acres of mangroves, home to dart frogs and tropical birds. With six boats and full-time captains who are trained naturalists, the wonders of Bocas Del Toro are always within reach—from islands populated with monkeys and sloths to snorkeling in the “Galapagos of the Caribbean."