I stayed in a gorgeous 2-story overwater bungalow for $180 a night, and I didn't even have to shell out for the Maldives to do it

Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge is set over the ocean along the shores of Punta Caracol, a mangrove-lined coastline on the west side of the main Colón Island in Panama.

Because of its remote location, everything — including guest transfers, staff switching shifts, and even laundry runs — relies on motor-powered fishing boats.

I booked a shuttle service from Costa Rica to Bocas Town and took a short taxi ride from the town center to the port. From there, the resort sent a boat to pick me up.

Half the novelty of staying at the resort was in the boat trip — clattering over small waves and debating whether a distant ripple was a jumping fish or dolphin.

Then, my first glimpse of the lodge was magical.

The distinctive mint-green and yellow exterior was rustic — a far cry from any soulless hotel chain I've stayed in. I immediately loved its individuality.

My accommodation for the stay was a gorgeous two-level bungalow with an extra-large rear patio located at the far end of the wooden walkway.

With a huge white conch for a door handle and a hammock swinging out back, it oozed "oceanfront living."

The property operates on a self-sufficient solar-panel system. That meant the lodges had ceiling fans, lights, and WiFi, but I had to charge personal devices (including my phone) in reception.

I was initially worried about whether I'd find this limiting, but it actually helped me unwind.

The real selling point is jumping straight off your private patio into the crystal-clear ocean.

The resort even provided complimentary snorkeling gear — or kayaks, if you don't fancy getting too wet.

I couldn't tear myself away from the resort's grounds on the first day. I spent my time snorkeling, kayaking, and reading in the hammock. On the first afternoon alone, I spotted manta rays, starfish, swordfish, and many other creatures.

On the second day, I booked tours through the resort's concierge service to explore some of the 52 nearby cays.

There are several free shuttles from the resort to Bocas Town daily, with additional paid transfer options. But Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge partners with local captains, so you can also get picked up directly for day tours.

I paid an additional $45 for a full-day excursion, which included a few hours on the paradisiacal Zapatilla Island. We went dolphin watching, snorkeled with starfish at a coral reef, and spotted cute sloths.

In the evening, I splurged a little on a bucket-list activity: Spotting bioluminescence. The $60 private tour took me to the bay near Red Frog Beach, where bright-blue phytoplankton lit up the pitch-black water.

The whole experience was like something out of "Avatar."

I thought the balance between extra and included activities at the resort was fair, especially for its relatively budget-friendly pricing. But food was an exception.

The only thing included with my standard room rate was water.

Because of shuttle timings, eating at least breakfast and dinner at the lodge made the most sense for my trip. The food was tasty but used American prices. I ended up paying between $16 and $20 for simple dishes like seafood rice.

I brought some snacks from home to keep in my room for lunch, but I had to budget an extra $25 to 30 a day for food.

The overwater lodge was a peaceful retreat at a great price.

As a solo traveler, I found the atmosphere welcoming. But the stay could be even cheaper if you split costs with a partner, family, or a group.

In general, Bocas del Toro was also a brilliant destination to add to my trip. It may not be the Maldives, but it's barely an hour from the Costa Rican border and has plenty of tropical wildlife and novelty waterfront living.

I certainly didn't see it all in four days, so I'd love to go back and explore more.