Isla Grande, Portobelo, Colon PA, Tel: 507-225-6722
A cabin/room at the little Hotel Isla Grande cost $45/night for singles or $60 per couple. In addition to swimming, you can dine, dance and shoot pool in ‘Bar el Coral’, the little island’s version of a night club with neon lights.
You can also check out Isla Grande’s beachfront Bob Marley Bar, decorated with painted blotches of red, green and yellow with a big mural of Marley with his tunes blowing on the breezes; there you can meet Pupy, the owner and Sheriff of Isla Grande.
Tel. 507 – 226- 9861 Cell: 507-6661-6740 Fax: 507-6525-7884
The island has a number of small hotels and restaurants. Isla Grande a good place to go to if you have a bunch of people who want to have a good time, or even if you’re looking forward being on the shores of Isla Grande next full moon, when you can sit back and watch the moon shine on the calm waters of the Caribbean.
Be sure to bring some “water shoes” to Isla Grande, if you want to go out into the water you’ll be walking on rocks and reefs. It’s good snorkeling territory when the tide’s in, with lots of bright tropical fish to look at. But, if you don’t have the right kind of foot protection you’ll take two steps into the water and then head right back to your beach chair.
Phone: (507)263-9510 Fax: (507)264-7556 www.bananasresort.com
Enjoy the comfort Banana’s 28 suites provide: queen size beds, hot water showers, a private balcony with a hammock, air conditioner, panoramic view of sea….and include additional amenities such as home theater, and a CD-DVD player. Recreational Activities add: use of swimming pool, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, billiard table, volleyball, and fishing from the pier.
According to the Banana’s website: “All major expenses are incorporated for fees of up to $155 a night, and include: boat transportation to and from Banana’s private main land base and three meals a day.” However, be aware…one reviewer notes that he paid a higher room rate, and additionally paid for meals and his panga boat trips to and from the mainland. He contends: “After having done the ‘all included’ thing at Decameron, it felt like we were getting nickeled and dimed to death. But, in the end, it works out to about the same cost per person, per night (about $90) as a stay at either Decameron or Barcelo”.
Of all the quick trips from Panama City, Panama, Isla Grande is my favorite. Isla Grande is 2 hours, instead of the 1 hour trip to the Royal Decameron, Playa Blanca, Coronado or Punta Barco. It also includes a long and bumpy ride down the last stretch of road into the parking lot at the marina, but I think it’s worth it.
You’ll find crisp, clean water, wonderful people and some great restaurants, bars, hotels and resorts. At Banana’s, you’ve got bargain style resort life with amenities that include kayaks, a small bar and a small and not so clean beach. But if you’re traveling on a budget, it’s a good place to stay that gives you access to Isla Grande and Portobelo.
There are also several other hotels on Isla Grande. One is Sister Moon and another is Hotel Isla Grande, they’re both clean, comfortable stays with hot water, but Bananas Village Resort excels by also having a much better view and being further removed from the noise of the parties that can sometimes go on late into the night.
You can find some great scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and sight seeing in Isla Grande. There’s also surfing, but it’s a short, close out, reef break that I’m not fond of, though there are locals that love it. For the best surfing in Panama, I suggest Bocas Del Toro.
Until next time…
Tel.: 507-720 2533, Cell: 507-6677- 4009, Fax: 507-720 2751
E-Mail: islaverde@cwpanama.net http://islaverdepanama.com
Isla Verde Hotel is a large property with very unique roundhouses and suites, located about 3 minutes from the center of Boquete. Due to the serene and tranquil nature of this tropical paradise, children between the ages of 2 through 10 are not invited; although Infants and supervised children over the age of 10 are happily welcomed.
Roundhouse rentals include a living room, dining room, full kitchen, with a variable number of bedrooms and baths. Electricity and water billing are included in the rent and the units are fully furnished, with bedding and towels provided. Each unit has its’ own television with Direct TV, and free high-speed wireless internet access is available. Full laundry service is offered and Isla Verde is hosting Spa Boquete for on-site massage therapy services.
The Isla Verde website offers and extensive and interesting list of recommendations for tours and activities at: http://islaverdepanama.com/boquete.htm
Rates and room options are at: http://islaverdepanama.com/facilities.htm
Here are a few extended lodging alternatives in Boquete, if you’re seeking extended stay lodging:
Renting a Small Home in Boquete – Fine Casita Living
Phone: (507) 6614-9514 ( Please add 011 for calls outside of Panama)
Come and visit Boquete for cool breezes, clean air and crystal pure water. This is a mountainside paradise, high up in the cool mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The neighborhood is quiet, yet only 5 minutes from the town center. The owners of this private casita – or little home – have created a secluded retreat for two. This extended lodging unit has one bedroom and one bath, and its rate include all utilities. The weekly rate is $300.00; the monthly rate (including weekly housekeeping service) is $1000.00.
In the province of Chiriqui, near the border with Costa Rica, are the highland forests of Volcan Baru National Park. They are home to Panama’s highest peak, an 11,300 foot high extinct volcano. The spectacular scenery in the village of Boquete includes rain forests, coffee farms, a river and some of the friendliest people anywhere.
Ascending nearly 3 and a half kilometers, from tropical torpor to mountain cool in an hour, you will feel exhilarated. At a moment like this it’s important to have plans for good lodging. You will be able to relish the remarkable change in the oxygen levels of the air you’re breathing and treasure being surrounded by beauty. Plan ahead so you can enjoy it.
Panama has a good domestic air network, and the prices are low. You can fly from Panama City to David – a city only about 20 miles from Boquete – for about $70 each way. From David you’d hop a bus or taxi to Boquete, for about $20 or rent a 4X4 for a weekend for less than $200. It is important to know that Panama City’s domestic airport was moved last year, and is now at a former American military airport in the Albrook community, about 25 kilometers away from Tocumen (PTY) Airport. If traffic is bad, it might take an hour to get there…so schedule your flights to give yourself plenty of leeway.
Remember that most room rates do not include the required 10% IPAT-TAX (tourism). It will be added to your total bill at the end of your vacation in Boquete. Ah….one less surprise! That’s a good thing.
elpanamaEl Panama Hotel in Panama City, Panama is a
remarkable, historical landmark. The facility was
created in an era during which there were few serious
competitors in Panama City’s hotel market. That isn’t
the case any longer. There are more than 250 high
rise buildings going up in Panama City as this is
being written.
One guest notes: “There were plenty of positive
aspects about this hotel. It really is in a great
location, and you can walk around the area without
worry, the breakfast buffet changes daily, and I
really can’t imagine not finding something you would
like on it every day. At the very least there’s plenty
of coffee, bread and fresh fruit. The staff in the
hotel restaurant is nice, too.”
However, then she added: “Then . . . there are the
negatives. I have NEVER NEVER NEVER slept so little on
vacation in my entire life. EVER. Panamanians honk
their horns while driving more than they breathe . . .
and being located close to a major avenue guarantees
that you will hear horns 24/7. I am not a light
sleeper, so I was amazed at how much trouble I had
sleeping there.”
“There is also a casino/disco attached to the hotel
that plays VERY VERY VERY loud music on the weekends
that goes until at least 12 a.m. Every time someone
walks past the hotel room it sounds like they are in
the room with you. It is UNBELIEVABLY loud.”
Okay, so we know that the hotelier’s have been turning
away the sales reps for all the acoustical engineering
companies, and apparently are receiving enough revenue
from their casino, that the sleeping ease of their
guests isn’t of concern. What is the real story..?
Have none of the management staff ever slept upstairs?
Or perhaps their penthouses have soundproofing?
This gentleman’s comment reflected my feelings:
“Hopefully one day the Hotel El Panama will quit
selling off its real estate…and restore its self back
to the glory days…”
“A SUMMIT HOTELS & RESORTS PREFERRED HOTEL GROUP”
Gee, that sounds impressive eh…The El Panama Hotel has
been renowned for longer than most people in Panama
City remember; but time isn’t always kind to
structures and four stars won don’t necessarily mean
four stars forever to an hotelier.
El Panama Casino is glitzy, the costuming of the
employees in traditional ensembles is heart
warming…and yet there’s a smell of something in the
air, something moldy maybe.
In reviewing the real world traveler’s opinions of
their experiences in the El Panama Hotel, there were
some analysis that seem to have basis in fact
The saddest words I read were about a lack of simple
cleanliness and good maintenance that are
unfortunately very common in Panama. This Mom wasn’t
pleased. “The hotel has a pool area that COULD be
really nice . . . with about a full week of scrubbing.
Honestly, I’m not sure that they used chemicals in
their pool. I haven’t ever seen worse mold buildup on
the grout in the pool. This was especially
disappointing to me, because I was counting on taking
my son their every day.”
But some guests are really enjoying themselves. “It
was a great stay in El Panama hotel. The staff was
SUPER friendly and helpful. I would even have to say
it was very relaxing for a business trip. I would
recommend the hotel to any business traveler or
tourist. Thumbs up!”
You have to ask yourself – were these folks all
staying under the same roof?
Comparing client reality reports with marketing
messages about El Panama Hotel:
The marketing mavens say: “Business travelers benefit
from a wonderful exhibition center. Leisure travelers
enjoy the fitness room, spa, and the flora and fauna
of the nearby rainforest. El Panama is quite close to
the city’s shops and exciting nightlife, but it is no
surprise when guests wish never to leave the hotel’s
amazing private boutiques, casino and nightclub.”
This property in central Panama City is only twenty
minutes from Panama’s City’s Tocumen International
Airport. It’s known to the airline industry as PTY -
if you happen to be scouting airline ticketing later.
Traveler reviews aren’t so kind…but no criticism of
the marketer is realistic, since they probably never
sat poolside at the El Panama Hotel.
The most insightful analysis I discovered was the
guest paying $250 a night who commented: “The El
Panama still thinks she is the belle of the ball. She
is looking tired and service is lacking. I stayed in
the executive suite. The two remotes didn’t work, the
safety box didn’t work, the bathroom facet was broken,
and bath tub was worn. The decor was 1970’s hip in
black and white. Austin Powers would have been at home
here if he could get service from the bellman and all
the amenities worked. The location is good, the
service is slow to nonexistence, facilities worn, and
the price is on the high end for the value.”
Ouch! Even if she isn’t still the belle of the
ball….it seems reasonable to expect effective
maintenance in this four star property…unless of
course…there’s a plan to replace El Panama with a new
community of properties. Could there be a plan in the
old belle of the ball’s future?
