About Bocas Guru
“People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou
Who We Are
Established in the early 2020s, Bocas Guru curates bespoke travel experiences and delivers exceptional guest service across the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama.
We’re the gurus of guest experience:
- We manage and host guests in hand-picked vacation rentals in Bocas del Toro
- We partner with select luxury travel agencies to provide on-the-ground concierge services
- We design tailor-made trips and experiences for discerning guests looking for a high-end visit
Our mission is simple: to share the very best of Bocas del Toro – its culture, nature, adventure and Caribbean rhythms – while ensuring that every detail of a guest’s stay is seamless.
The islands can be tricky to navigate without local insight. That’s why we’re here – to make sure visitors enjoy the magic of Bocas without the stress.
Our Story
Before founding Bocas Guru, we managed a high-end eco jungle-lodge and a beachfront B&B in Bocas del Toro, where we consistently earned 5-star reviews. Through these experiences, we saw the need for unique, first-class service in Bocas- and the opportunity to create something truly special.
Many of the guests we met then, remain friends today. A testament to our belief that hospitality is as much about connection as it is about comfort.
Where We Work
Our luxury concierge service extends across the Bocas del Toro archipelago.
For property management, we focus on vacation rentals on Carenero Island (Isla Carenero) and select locations on Isla Colón (Colon Island). Keeping our scope focused ensures we can deliver 24/7 support and impeccable service to every guest.
Meet the gurus
Ariel - the Bocas Guru
“Throughout my career, I’ve strived to ensure every guest has an unforgettable experience, tailored to their preferences. Now I get to do this in my home country, in my community.”
Ariel was born and raised in Bocas del Toro – a Bocatoreñan, as we say locally. At 17 owing to limited opportunities, he left the islands and set sail – quite literally – embarking upon his hospitality career with six years working aboard luxury cruise ships. He later settled in the UK, where he spent over 20 years in 5-star hospitality, including leading concierge teams at renowned London hotels such as Firmdale Hotels and ACE, Shoreditch.
Now back home, Ariel combines global experience with local roots to deliver unparalleled service in Bocas. We believe this sets us apart in the market.
Zabrina - 'La Guruita'
Preferring to stay behind the scenes, Zabrina, aka la Guruita, handles marketing, business development and operations. Originally from the UK, she fell in love with Latin America more than 20 years ago after traveling in the region. It’s no surprise to friends and family she has made a group of tropical islands in Panama’s Caribbean her home!
With 15+ years in marketing, event management and business development, she ensures Bocas Guru runs smoothly and uses best-in-class systems to deliver the best guest experience. She has managed global events, is GSTC-certified (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) and brings expertise in curating unique experiences and cultural projects. Zabrina and Ariel have one highly-tailored, intimate beach wedding under their belts in Bocas, as well as having organised multiple special engagement moments – and they look forward to creating many more memorable moments.
Our trusted partners
We work with a hand-picked network of tour guides, operators, service providers and local experts. Every partner is chosen with the same care we would take for our own family and friends. This ensures discretion, safety and authentic experiences for guests.
Our commitment to
sustainability & community
Sustainability is central to Bocas Guru. Ariel and Zabrina are deeply involved in community-led tourism initiatives and projects supporting local producers, artisans and indigenous communities.
Together, they helped pilot a non-profit hospitality training program to create more opportunities in Bocas del Toro, with plans to expand this in the future. They also founded bíku, a cultural project that promotes artists, makers, the culture & traditions of Bocas del Toro and Panama. Through their bíku project, they have already curated four art and cultural exhibitions.
Experience Bocas
the Bocas Guru way
If our story resonates with you and you like the sound of what we’re doing and how we work – we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a travel agency seeking a trusted concierge partner, a vacation rental owner wanting less stress and help to elevate your guest experiences, or a traveler in search of a seamless island escape – Bocas Guru is here to make it happen.
