This seafront restaurant and hostel with one private room and dormitory accommodating up to 15 people indeed resembles a castle – one drawn by manga artist Miyazaki. Still, its French-speaking Vietnamese host Richard is welcoming and it has tumbledown charm. Rooms have mosquito nets and fans. The large sea-facing restaurant (mains US$12 to US$25) is open from 10am to 9pm.
The restaurant offers some appealing options for vegetarians as well as Thai curry and some Vietnamese dishes. El Castillo is 900m before Portobelo on the left-hand side.