Darién Province
Perched on a ridge in a gorgeous nature reserve, these 10 gaily painted wooden cabins have air-conditioning and private cold-water showers, but the decor…
Must-see hotels in Panama
Isla Bastimentos
Set in the sheltering jungle, the original Red Frog Beach resort has accommodation in a three-bedroom stilted house meters from the beach; two fabulous…
Santa Catalina
One of Santa Catalina’s only hotels owned by lifelong locals, these friendly cabins are a favorite of surfers on a budget. Each has one to three good beds…
Comarca de Guna Yala
A work in progress during our last visit, this somewhat shabby-chic lodge at the 15Km marker, run by Ancon Expeditions, has five comfortable and good…
Panamá Province
Decked out with memorabilia, this comfortable canal house tends to draw birdwatchers and hikers keen on quick access to Pipeline Rd, which is minutes away…
Isla Bastimentos
This pretty pink-and-green Caribbean-style home sits high on a forested hill. It's a hike up the stairs from the dock, but you'll find five rooms with…
Península de Azuero
At the eastern quieter end of Playa Venao en route to La Playita, Villa Marina Lodge is a stunner. Set amid tranquil gardens, this resort exudes charm,…
El Valle
Looking a bit worn around the edges but still voted tops in Panama, this central hostel counts six private rooms with shared showers, and a massive,…
Chiriquí Province
This recommended all-inclusive eco resort catering to only 20 guests runs on wind and solar power. Linked by a garden path, each cottage houses six people…
Península de Azuero
This remote and very basic hostel with thatched wooden huts is straight out of Robinson Crusoe. The French owners will collect you from Puerto de Cañas …
El Valle
A welcome addition, this American-run hostelry has 25 rooms in two buildings spread over a large grassy tract of land backed by a stream. Two dormitories…
Chiriquí Province
With ranchos (small house-like buildings) and attractive cabins, this fun, Italian-run place is the best bargain lodging in Las Lajas. It sits across the…
Santa Catalina
With manicured grounds strewn with hammocks and Spanish-tile roofs, this 11-room hotel is an excellent midrange option catering to the executive surfer…
Panama City
If your attraction to Panama is more about wildlife than wild life, check out this tucked-away French B&B. There are just four rooms, decorated with retro…
Península de Azuero
This fabulous eyrie-like guesthouse up a steep hill at the western end of Playa Cambutal has 10 very pretty rooms with breathtaking views; the two front…
El Valle
Surrounded by beautifully tended gardens, Crater Valley's eight guest rooms are all different and executed with varying degrees of care. All feature stone…
Chiriquí Province
Capping the western end of the beach is this sprawling yellow hacienda-style resort. Its 48 terraced rooms and suites are decorated with soft, natural…
Colón
Looking out to the Caribbean from the northern end of Colón, the New Washington offers a pentimento or two of the glorious hostelry that opened in 1913 –…
Panama City
On a residential street that’s somehow survived the wrecking ball, this small, homey hostel nails the mark on service. Amenities include 24-hour desk…
Portobelo
An attractive, motel-style lodging with eight rooms, the very friendly Coco Plum has been around for years. On the waterfront, the feel of the place is…
Darién Province
This raised casa comunal with thatched roof due east of the police station provides mattresses on the floor under mosquito netting or hammocks for…
Panamá Province
El Litoral B&B is a cute red-and-yellow house with four smart air-conditioned rooms (best is the corner Delicious room). The kicker is a sumptuous patio…
Península de Azuero
More rustic retreat than resort, this place has shady and somewhat dated cabins surrounded by an informal zoo of guacamayas, macaws, emus and howler…
Isla Colón
This lush property facing Playa Bluff makes the perfect honeymoon getaway. One large home with a lap pool and two smaller cabins feature open-floor plans,…
Santa Catalina
Surrounded by greenery, these hilltop cabins have hammock porches, lovely wooden furniture, electric hot-water showers, satellite TV and air-con. Guests…
Sand Dollar Beach Bed & Breakfast
Isla Colón
Vaguely reminiscent of a US antebellum plantation, this B&B in a yellow clapboard manor about 3km west of Bocas town has four lovely rooms, a suite named…
Chiriquí Province
This small, intimate resort counts just five bungalows, four of them looking to the ocean. Rooms have chunky wooden furniture, huge bathrooms and walk-in…
Panamá Province
Just this side of kitsch, the multi-leveled Villa Caprichosa has a wide Greco-Roman facade, fountains, bleached-wood floors, neutral colors and some, well…
Comarca de Guna Yala
These 13 cabañas are popular with day-trippers and those not intending to venture too far afield. Most cabañas have three beds; a few sleep up to 10. A…
El Río Encantado Nature Resort
Chiriquí Province
This remote resort idyllically located on 40 manicured hectares on the Río Caldera offers four comfortable self-catering cottages, as well as a wonderful…
Panamá Province
This smart Canadian- and Dutch-owned B&B occupies a quiet spot atop a steep road. The three ground-floor rooms are stylish but small; go instead for one…
Boquete
Under new ownership, this B&B features six large, fan-cooled rooms with terrace or balcony. Special features include concierge service, memory-foam…
Panamá Province
Located in a residential neighborhood, this cozy inn features eight small rooms amid lovely grounds. There's no real living-room space, though, making it…
Darién Province
Should you want to pause for a spell while traveling to the Darién, you could do a lot worse than this homey 30-room hotel outside Chepo in the middle of…
Panama City
Created by 100 artists, Le Meridien features cool digital art and even birdsong in the elevator. Yet, while innovative, some details here are simply off…
Boquete
Facing the central plaza, this turquoise ex-boardinghouse is backpacker central, complete with kitchen, laundry and free pancake breakfasts. For its huge…
Darién Province
This peach-colored blockhouse on the Interamericana conceals a lovely garden with coconut palms, banana trees, hummingbirds feasting on sugar water and 15…
Bocas del Toro Town
This 1905 landmark was built by the United Fruit Company to receive visitors to its headquarters. Though it's not a standout, some careful restorations…
Boquete
These lavish quarters enveloped in manicured grounds and a coffee farm bear no trace of their past as erstwhile stables. Decor is elegant but a little…
Boquete
This upscale hotel along the the road leading to the Boquete hills features an appealing ultramodern style and attentive staff at the front desk. The 20…
