Panama Resorts

Many people on their first vacation to Panama want to stay at one of the many Panama resorts for their holiday. This is probably the best decision, when a country is not known to you. You know you will get a relaxing vacation, lots of activities, close to a beach for relaxing, swimming and other water fun in the sun. You know the price is all inclusive so there are no surprises. If you love Panama after your first trip, you will be back for more and want explore other venues and hotels in Panama, such as the San Blas Islands, Bocas del Toro or Boquete, to name a few. The following is just a short guide to some of the resorts in Panama.

The most popular resorts in Panama would have to be Intercontinental Playa Blanca, Gamboa Rainforest Resort, The Royal Decameron, and Playa Bonita. Why are they the most popular? Well, they offer everything that one has come to expect at a resort, everything is taken care of for you. They are excellent resorts, offering great food, activities, the beach, pools, spas and free drinks. Most of them are rated 4 star resorts, but to be truthful, they should be classified as 5 star resorts in Panama. We’ve written long reviews of these resorts on this site, but here we are adding some more resorts such as the Mango Beach Club Resort and the Playita Resort for you to consider when booking your vacation in Panama.

The Royal Decameron Beach Resort:

The Royal Decameron Beach Resort is on the beach, just 90 minute from Panama City. This is a popular resort destination in Panama for tourists and most especially first time visitors to Panama. Read more about the Royal Decameron Beach Resort in our article here on this site.

The Gamboa Rainforest Resort:

Interested in eco tourism, and want to visit your first rainforest? The Gamboa Rainforest Resort could be the best place for you to stay. Exploring the rainforest, swimming, spa treatments and many more activities are yours. Read more about the Gamboa Rainforest Resort here.

The Playa Blanca Resort:

Playa Blanca Resort, also about 90 minutes from Panama City will offer you ecological adventures and beach time on your travel to Panama. The Playa Blanca Resort has its own secluded beach and is another one of the luxury resorts that are popular for tourists. Lush tropical vegetation full of wildlife surrounds the resort Another perfect place to kick back and enjoy the beach, the pool and the natural surroundings.

Read more about the Play Blanca Resort on our website here.

The Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa:

The Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa on the beach. Just think sun, sand and surf. The sunrises and sunsets over the Pacific ocean are gorgeous. The resort is magnificent, with nicely decorated rooms. It’s a favourite resort for tourists from around the world.

Read more about the Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa on our website here.

The Mango Beach Club:

The Mango Beach Club in Bocas Del Toro is definitely a romantic getaway. Rooms start at $79 US during the low season. Close to the town of Bocas del Toro, it is situated on a beach beside the ocean. There are 14 rooms and one suite in the Mango Beach Resort. All rooms come with air conditioners and there are kitchen supplies if you need them. Breakfast is included in the price of the room and internet is available. There is a pool close to the Playa Mango beach. There are hammocks available for those who want to truly kick back. Great food is available at the hotel restaurant. The staff is friendly and the service is good.

This resort is an excellent choice for people looking for a tranquil place while still having quick access to the town of Bocas del Toro. Activities include swimming, exploring and relaxing on pristine beaches or kayaking to the reefs.

The Playita Resort:

Not far from Boquete by a few hours drive, at Los Santos on the Azuero Peninsula you will find the Playita Resort. Owned by Lester, the service is wonderful and personal. This is a nature lover’s paradise, not for someone who wants to stay at the Marriot. The wildlife photography opportunities are amazing. The resort is beautiful, one and two bedroom units surround a central kitchen and outdoor dining area. Local foods, fresh fish and tropical fruits are plentiful on the menu, all prepared to order, fresh and delicious. Rooms come with air conditioning, and are well cared for. There is no hot water, no cell phone access. A room starts at $70 per night plus 10% tax. The beach is small, with white sand and protected. Mask, snorkel, fins can be rented. Fishing trips are arranged and if you catch something, they will clean and cook your big catch.

As you can see, there are many diverse resorts in Panama for you to choose from where you can experience the resort experience, nature, the beach and surf. Panama is the most wonderful country, the newest vacation destination, just waiting to be explored.

Other Beach Hotels in Panama

San Blas Islands Resorts, Hostels, Hotels and Home Stays

I have already told you about one of the most beautiful places in Panama, a series of islands called the San Blas Islands and some of the beach hotels in this wonderful place that should be a holiday destination for you if you are trying to either escape the winter blahs or society in general. I was going to follow up here with more hotels and accommodations in the San Blas Islands because this group of 378 islands is really fantastic for a tropical island escape. Think of: desert island in the tropics.

If it’s your first time visiting Panama, you can include a visit to the San Blas Islands as well as staying in Panama City to really get an all round experience of the country. There are several companies online that offer such packages, such as a company known as Latin Destinations. This company offers six such packages ranging in price from $1,190 to $2,000 US. Their various packages include the following:

• Caribbean Flavour of Panama
• Native Cultures of Panama
• San Blas Islands – Panama Rainforest
• Jungle, Islands and Beaches of Panama
• Panama Culture and Beach
• The Best of Panama

These vacation packages include your round trip international flights, all airport transfers, daily breakfasts, hotels and hotel taxes. I’ve probably managed to pique your curiosity by now because if you read my last article on San Blas Islands hotels, you might be thinking they could possibly be your next holiday destination, your honeymoon destination or an actual escape from the stress that modern day living has been giving you lately.

The Caribbean Flavour of Panama offers you two nights at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort (explore the rainforest at this resort), 2 nights in Bocas del Toro Archipelago, 2 nights in the San Blas Islands with full board and tour and three nights in Panama City for a total of 9 days vacation. There are differe nt choices of hotels for you to stay in and you can vary the number of nights in each place.

The Native Cultures of Panama package is a great introduction to the native cultures of Panama including the Kuna Indians, the indigenous people of Panama. Your 10 day vacation includes four nights where you can choose from 14 different hotels in Panama City, two nights in Chiriqui - Boqueta, two nights at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, a two night trip to San Blas Islands including tours, and breakfasts at all the hotels.

Another interesting package you might consider would be their Jungle, Islands and Beaches of Panama for nine or more nights including: four nights in Panama City, two nights at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, three nights in Playa Blanca, and two nights in the San Blas Islands with your accommodation, food and tours included.

Another package offered by the Latin Destinations Company is their Panama Culture and Beach package. This vacation package to Panama will cost you $1,189 US for an eight night stay and includes two nights in the San Blas Islands, food, lodging and tours, three nights in Panama City and three nights in Playa Bonita.

The other package they offer to Panama is called The Best of Panama. This is a 13 night package with three nights in Playa Blanca, three nights in Bocas del Toro, two nights in Panama City, two nights in the San Blas Islands and three nights in Playa Bonita. The price for this package which includes breakfast at all the hotels is $1,969 US. This is a great deal!

The benefits of these packages include the possibility of experiencing much more than you could if you just booked an all inclusive package at one of the beach hotels in Panama. You’ve got the combination of great price and value here. Better still, is the fact you can choose from a selection of hotels in Panama City, Chiriqui – Boquete and Bocas del Toro and you can choose how many nights you want to stay in each place. In other words, these packages are totally customizable.

Like I have said in my previous posting, if you want to go and visit the San Blas Islands, book through a travel agent that specializes in tourism to the San Blas islands and Panama. They can arrange your vacations and show you tour packages you might be interested in.

I also promised that I would give your some more hotel information about other beach hotels in San Blas Islands Panama. You must remember that you will not find the same standards as some luxury hotel in North America or Europe. If you want a “Best Western”, you are headed to the wrong place. You won’t find a McDonalds here either. Try one of the other beach hotels in Panama such as Playa Bonita Resort, Playa Blanca or the Decameron Resort if you are not ready for a tropical island escape.

These islands are gove rned by the Kuna Indians. They own these accommodations which are completely eco tourism at its best. Some of the hotels, lodgings and accommodations do not have 24 hour electricity and hot running water available. However, they are a beautiful escape to a tropical island and you will experience nature, beautiful unspoiled beaches, eat delicious fresh sea food and live “close to nature”. You will have your own bathroom and some of these beach hotels in San Blas Panama are lovely, rustic, primitive and you’ll get the best sunsets of your life. There is snorkelling, sw imming, fishing, sun sets over the Caribbean like you’ve never experienced, your own hammock, meeting the Kuna people and discovering their culture and way of life. This is eco tourism at its best. Completely, literally, unspoiled.

Dad Ibe Lodge

The Dad Ibe Lodge has three cabins for its guests, no air conditioning, marvellous views from your verandah which sits over the sea, a private bathroom, and hammocks. Stress? What stress can you possibly remember as you lie in your own hammock facing the sea, one eye barely open during siesta time ? Y o u don’t need air conditioning because you have the soft, cool wind blowing in from the sea. At this lodge in San Blas, you can go fishing with the Kuna, snorkelling and visit the Mangroves. The menu includes fresh sea food such as king crab, lobster, fresh fish, local food and drinks. Prices for th e cabins range in price from $128 for one person to a high of $341 US for a triple, not including ta xe s and include breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also included in the price are transportation to and from the island from the Achutupo Airstrip, tours to a Kuna village, tours to the Kuna Yala Rainforest and river, and trips to Ogobwili Island for swimming and snorkelling.

Yandup Island Lodge

For about $80 to $90 US for a double (low season – high season), you can stay at Yandup Island Lodge. They have eight Kuna style cabins, five of them over the water and two on the beach. The cabins over the water have private bathrooms. The beach front cabins have outside bathrooms. Your fresh seafood meals will depend on the catch of the day. The owners of the hotel provide you with tours to a Kuna village, snorkelling or whatever you would like. There is great snorkelling on the island or the owners will take you to other islands. There is no hot water and the electricity from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Other places to stay in San Blas Islands

Accommodations in the San Blas Islands can cost anywhere from $20 to several hundred dollars a night. For this price you will get your meals, transportation to the islands and excursion tours. You can find backpacking hostels and home stays, such as Robinson’s, Eulogio’s Place, Franklin ’s or Nixia’s on the islands as well, depending on your budget needs.

The deserted white sand beaches, the great snorkelling and swimming, the tropical flora and fauna, the mangroves and the culture of the Kuna people await you in the San Blas Islands. What are you waiting for? Start planning your tropical paradise escape now. These are just some of the wonderful things that await you when you search for beach hotels in Panama and find yourself headed to one of the San Blas Islands instead.

Beach Hotels in Panama | Bocas del Toro

I wrote this article about another one of the great beach hotels in Panama destinations before I heard about the floods in Panama. A state of emergency has been declared and there have been casualties. It is sad news to hear that this wonderful and very beautiful area in Panama is suffering at the present time. However, if you would like to read further about Bocas Del Toro, please read on. No doubt, they will recover and rebuild from this tragedy. As I have mentioned in this article, the high rain season is in November to January.

There are so many places, so much to discover and so many beach hotels in Panama to choose, and that includes Bocas Del Toro, that this blog might go on forever. I wanted to tell you all about Bocas del Toro, known as the “Venice of the Caribbean”, in this posting, but I think already it’s going to end up as a very long, long article or else, I might have to do this in two or more blog postings. It all depends how tired my fingers get from tapping away at the keyboard.

Bocas del Toro, on the island of Colon, situated on the Bocas del Toro archipelago in the Caribbean, north coast of Panama is actually the capital of the Province of Bocas del Toro. It’s a culturally vibrant and ethnically diverse area. You will find numerous small towns along the collection of islands, but not many roads. The actual town of Bocas del Toro is entirely constructed of lumber in the Caribbean colonial style, somewhat Victorian and reminding you a little of Key West. Bocas del Toro itself has paved roads, sewer systems, electricity, phone service, Cable TV, ambulance and a hospital and a fire department. The population of Bocas Del Toro is approximately 12,660 total inhabitants, Spanish is the main language, but English is widely spoken. Offering peaceful serenity, absolute beauty and tranquility, you won’t want to leave this paradise in Panama.

In 1502 Christopher Columbus landed in the area of Bocas del Toro and was so astounded by its beauty, that he named two of the islands Isla Colon and Isla Cristobal. There are many hotels and resorts in Panama located here for sun seeking tourists. For people looking for more than just a beach, you will find this to be another great eco-tourism destination in Panama.

How does one get to Bocas del Toro? You can get to Bocas del Toro by airplane from Panama City or Costa Rica or boat. What will you find here in Bocas del Toro Panama? You will find long stretches of unspoiled white sand beaches, beautiful resorts, shops, markets, restaurants, nightclubs and discos, thematic parks, surfing, snorkelling, some of the best scuba diving, boating, and the well-known Bastimentos Island National Marine Park – a chief destination for ecotourism. All of these things make Bocas del Toro an excellent and popular choice to vacation in Panama.

Bocas del Toro is so beautiful, and you may end up feeling like you have been to Paradise because you won’t want to leave here at the end of your vacation. Bocas del Toro possesses a natural beauty, with miles of beautiful beaches, the surf, its peacefulness.

For those tourists seeking ecotourism in Panama, there are nature reserves and national parks which reache over 25% of its total land mass. Panama aims to protect its wildlife and their habitat which consists of 960 different birds, 10,000 various forms of plant life and fauna, 240 species of reptiles, 160 species of amphibians. Like Costa Rica, Panama’s protection of the environment and wildlife make this country another viable destination for those who love and respect nature and want a holiday in a natural wildlife environment.

The best time to travel weather wise to Bocas del Toro Panama is from February to April or in September/October in the dry seasons. The temperature averages about 27 degrees Celsius or 82 degrees Fahrenheit on average throughout the year. If you like the rain, the seasons of May to August and November to January will please you because this is the rainy season in Bocas del Toro. This rain feeds the lush foliage and fauna of the virgin rain forests of Panama, the forests which are in abundant supply in Bocas del Toro. The white sand beaches run for miles in Bocas and the water is so clean and clear that you can see down to the reef when you are surfing. At night on the beach, watch as sea turtles emerge on to the beach from the surf and lay their eggs, bury them and then slowly lumber back to the sea, returning again next year. For surfing enthusiasts, some of the best surfing in the world can be found in Panama, and the waves in Boca are comparable to the surfing in Indonesia and Tahiti. The best surfing seasons are in December to March and June to July.

Okay, so I’ve written a lot about this fascinating and very beautiful place in Panama which offers another option destination for the winter sun seeker. If you are a retiree who wants to retire in the Paradise that is Panama it’s another destination to research.

And, like I thought at the beginning of this article, my fingers and brain would eventually get tired and have to wind down. I haven’t even started to mention the beach hotels in Panama situated in Bocas del Toro because you are going to need accommodation when you visit this paradise in Panama while you explore all this amazing country has to offer. So, until my next posting which will be about resorts in Bocas del Toro for my readers, stay tuned…

Panama Floods Leave 5 Dead, Threats of More Flooding

Nov. 25 – 5 People Dead in Panama, Threat of More Flooding

Notice to travellers to Panama – west coast of Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro are experiencing severe flooding. Five rivers flooded in the western provinces of Chiriqui and one person is dead in Bocas del Toro after a series of storms according the Panama's President Martin Torrijos’ website. More than 5,700 people’s homes have been flooded and over 60 landslides have been reported.

At state of emergency has been declared on November 22. More heavy rains and floods are expected.

“As this system drifts slowly west-northwestward, it will likely produce heavy rains and localized flooding over portions of Panama…” stated the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Travellers to the western coast of Panama should check with the Panamanian embassy or consulate in their area to verify the weather conditions in Chiriqui or Bocas del Toro before travelling to this area in Panama in the near future.

Source: bloomberg.com

Source: President Martin Torrijos’ website