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…
Must-see hotels in Panama
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…
Veraguas Province
Wavefront on a wild and remote beach, this surf hostel is a fat dose of paradise. However, the remote location and gnarly surf aren't for everyone. Sandy…
Colón Province
Run by German-Austrian Silvia and Guido, who traded their sailboat for a hotel (but called it a hostel), this breezy retreat with six rooms and a holiday…
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…
Highlands
Just north of Bambito along the Río Chiriquí Viejo, this 20-room resort set in the forest is ideal for families as it offers health-spa facilities, a pool…
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,…
Coclé Province
The friendly Navas family rents rooms in their house in Barrigon. Accommodations are rustic, but very well maintained and inexpensive, with all meals…
Santa Catalina
Surrounded by greenery, these hilltop cabins have hammock porches, lovely wooden furniture, electric hot-water showers, satellite TV and air-con. Guests…
Veraguas Province
Surrounded by lush gardens and hammocks, this bamboo-and-stone chalet makes a great base camp for mountain adventures around Santa Fé. There's excellent…
Veraguas Province
Run by an eccentric Brit with roots in Malaysia, this quirky, laid-back lodging with permaculture farming is good value. Rooms feature private decks with…
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…
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…
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…
Chiriquí Province
On the outskirts of Las Lajas town, about 500m east, this German-run B&B has sweeping views and warm hospitality. Four spacious and well-appointed rooms…
Bocas del Toro Town
Attached to the excellent Pizzeria Alberto, the Italian-owned Cala Luna was built with fine attention to detail. The hotel features cathedral windows,…
Santa Catalina
Perched on a hilltop with soaring ocean views, these family-friendly cabañas made of bamboo and thatch are among the most atmospheric places to stay in…
Darién Province
Visitors can stay in the village in one of two open-sided thatched huts with mosquito nets, foam mattresses and bed linens. There's a total 10 beds, a…
Península de Azuero
About 500m off the Carretera Nacional, this 52-room resort-like property is spread over a large garden and boasts a swimming pool that beckons like a…
Panama City
Overshadowed by newer, bigger hotels, the sleepy DeVille remains a sweetheart option with 33 classy, tasteful rooms and sterling service. Rooms feature…
Santa Catalina
You could watch the tubes roll in all day at this hilltop compound with a box seat to the waves. The eight rooms in a thatched block spread over two…
Portobelo
Nondivers are welcome at this seafront lodging run by Scuba Portobelo. In a very reduced space, a bright structure has five motel-style doubles with…
Panama City
Once the home of the Mexican embassy, this refurbished 19th-century flatiron-style building at the base of Casco Viejo has some simply stunning details,…
Bocas del Toro Town
Boasting a functional elevator, this all-suites hotel has modern comforts including Jacuzzi tubs, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers and room safes. Ample rooms…
Coclé Province
Cabañas here come in three styles. A total of 20 cabins – some concrete (called Las Palmeras), others thatched huts on two levels (Las Tradicionales) –…
Highlands
With just two tiny houses with adorable fittings, this Argentine lodging is a snug option. The onsite cafe serves good pub grub and there's a small tour…
