Panama travel specialist Matt Labunski visited Cayuga’s most recent contribution to the eco-luxury scene, Isla Palenque Private Island Resort, back in July. We sat down with him to get the scoop on this up-and-coming private island destination, which blends beach, nature, culinary distinction, and adventure into a vacation product not previously offered in Panama. And from what Matt describes, it’s pretty perfect.

Arriving is an Adventure of Its Own

The journey to Isla Palenque began for Matt with a flight from Panama City to David.

“After flying into David it was an hour drive to a boat dock in Boca Chica, then a short boat trip to the island.”

You’ll feel like you’ve made it off the beaten path as you approach the private dock and arrival pavilion, where you’ll complete the check-in process with a cocktail in hand. This exclusive arrival sets an adventurous tone for your stay. After check-in, you’ll be driven across the island to your beachfront casita.

Beachfront bungalow casita

“The casitas are the star of the show. They are really well designed with lots of outdoor space,” Matt raves.

The luxurious oceanfront units were fashioned to create a space that blends the indoor areas seamlessly with outdoors. This integrative design encourages guests to connect to the unspoiled nature around them without compromising comfort and style.

Coastal Dining as It Should Be

Once you’ve settled in, head to the beachfront restaurant for a sunset dinner and drinks. Hopefully, Benny is around. He’s known to give out great recommendations and mix up an unforgettable cocktail.

“The food was incredible” reports Matt, who managed to sample most of the menu during his brief stay on Palenque.

“The seafood was the main highlight, but everything I ate was amazing.”

More specifically, he suggests the fresh clams with garlic (“OMG”), Rondon soup with Red Snapper, and seared tuna with a carrot-cabbage salad and peanut dressing. Though seafood is recommended at any beachfront hotel, selective eaters can also enjoy jerk chicken, flank steak with carrot leaf pesto, chicken tamales, and chayote ceviche. One of Matt’s unexpected favorites? The beet carpaccio.

These unique dishes feature as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible, creating amazing flavors unique to the area and earth-friendly dining experiences you won’t soon forget.

Sustainable Tourism is Nothing New for Cayuga Hotels

Isla Palenque garden

This is business as usual for Cayuga, which has been a pioneer in sustainable eco-luxury tourism in Central America. Stay at any one of Cayuga’s properties in Costa Rica and you might notice their organic on-site gardens, educational sustainability tours, and eco-minded touches throughout each hotel. Isla Palenque maintains these standards with solar-heated water, locally-sourced bathroom amenities, and the renunciation of single-use plastics. Even the hotel’s furniture is made on-site or locally.

Commitment to these practices is not only responsible, but it also creates an authentic connection to Panama you won’t get at a large brand name resort or skyscraper hotel.

Bringing More to The Table

Isla Palenque Beach Hike

Matt’s schedule only allowed for two nights as Isla Palenque, but he made the most of it with a guided hike around the island. Monkeys, tropical birds, lizards, leoparundi, crabs, and bats were just some of the creatures he spotted while learning about the island’s history.

It was a whale-watching tour in the Chiriqui Gulf that left the biggest impression on Matt, though.

“Life-affirming-tears-in-my-eyes-amazing, but keep in mind that I am obsessed with whales.”

Travelers craving a bit more action can also book fishing excursions, kayaking, guided hikes, stand-up paddleboarding, and day trips to nearby islands.

But, as Matt explains, you might want to build in some time to simply decompress.

“There are plenty of activities to keep people busy, but the property is also great for relaxing. They have a nice beachfront pool area, and all of the casitas have hammocks and big couch-swings.”

A four-night stay is customary, but Palenque can be ideal for longer stays of seven to eight nights, too. It all comes down to your personal travel style.

“I really like that the property can work for different types of people. For example, the air-conditioned casitas are a nice feature for heat-sensitive guests, but you can also keep the doors open (with screens) to make it feel more eco-lodgey.”

The Verdict

“The whole experience is very unique so there isn’t really anything like it. It is also in a very non-touristy area of the country,” Matt explains.

If nothing else, it is clear Isla Palenque strives to create a space for authenticity within luxury travel. Be sure to check it out while it’s still under the radar.

Ready to visit Isla Palenque? Plan your trip with an Expert or browse Panama vacation packages.

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Dine in Casco Viejo.

View of Panama City from Casco Viejo via Visit Panama

Casco Viejo is known as Panama’s tourist district, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in local flavor. You’ll find a lot of gringo restaurants here, but you can also get real at the local fish market. If you want a drink with a view, Tantalo Rooftop Bar offers stunning views of the Panama City skyline set to a youthful vibe. Homesick? Grab some pizza and microbrews at La Rana Dorado. Be sure to check out the ruins of Panama Viejo in between meals.

Related: Casco Viejo Restaurants Transform Panama City Dining

Cruise the Panama Canal.

Gatun Lake Boat Tour

The Panama Canal is a must-see for many travelers and it can be done a number of ways. Book a full-day transit tour to learn about the canal’s historical significance and how it has shaped the city today. For travelers on a time crunch partial transit half-day tours are also available. One of the most exciting ways to experience the Panama Canal is a boat tour of Gatun Lake. You will be able to cruise the waterways of the canal while also having the chance to spot wildlife.

Shop in Panama City.

The Nina Concept Store via hipshops.com

Panama City has some of the best shopping in Central America. We recommend boutique shops for quintessential Panamanian fashions and jewelry. Nina Concept Store is a café-boutique hybrid where you can buy trendy gifts, décor, and other artful trinkets for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. The world-class mall Soho offers name brands like Chanel and Coach, as well as fine Italian and French dining for refueling.  For a truly local shopping experience markets are always best. Mercado de Abastos is a large market full of colorful and delicious selections. This market is the real deal so you’ll need to go in with a mission or you will be overwhelmed by truckloads of fresh fruit and other local goods.

Be Active on Amador Causeway & Ancon Hill.

An aerial view of Amador Causeway via @drone507

Some of the best things to do in Panama City, Panama are also the most adventurous. Rent a bike and pedal down the Amador Causeway to take in views of the water and some of the city’s most accessible tourist points. This is a great, leisurely option for anyone who wants to learn a bit of history and observe everyday life in the city. For something more challenging, take a morning hike up Ancon Hill. You might catch of a glimpse of some local wildlife on the way, but the real payoff is the view!

View of Panama City from Casco Viejo via Visit Panama

These stops only begin to scratch the surface of all of the great things to do in Panama City. While you may not be able to experience all of the city in one night or one week, these activities are a great place to start.

Ready to visit Panama? Check out our Panama Vacation Packages.

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Casco Viejo, Panama City‘s historic district, is an uncommon blend of old and new. It is one of Panama City’s most recent upgrades, renovated at hyper speed to welcome countless new hotels and restaurants in the last 5 years.

Breakfast at the new American Trade Hotel overlooking Casco Viejo historic district

The rapidly changing area is still home to many locals, but Casco Viejo now also hosts world travelers, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and anybody looking for the most convenient way to access Panama City. One of the best ways to get acquainted with this small historic district is by taste.

Coffee & Chocolate

Coffee Brewing at Cafe Unido (photo from @CafeUnido on Instagram)

Start with local coffee at the new American Trade Hotel’s Café Unido. If you have a sweet tooth, try some local chocolate from the Bocas del Toro region. This treasured specialty is rich and mild, with a load of cultural significance behind the flavors. Café Unido also offers a spread of ornate pastries, cookies, and muffins to satisfy your cravings.

Microbreweries

La Rana Dora Brewery Patio (Photo Credit: Roaming Around The World)

Microbreweries have popped up all over Central America in recent years, and Casco Viejo is exactly the place you’d expect to find one. La Rana Dorada brews a collection of beers in-house and offers complimentary flights (a selection of samples) so drinkers can make an informed decision on their order. You’ll be tempted to pair your beer with Rana Dorado’s signature pizzas. Sit back and watch a match with the regulars on a warm afternoon. If you’re feeling homesick this is a great place to recharge.

Sashimi and Beyond

Try Aki for the freshest Japanese cuisine in Panama. We recommend sampling the sashimi – a perfect appetizer before an intimate dinner. After you’ve had your fill of yellowtail, walk to nearby Las Clementinas Hotel, one of Casco Viejo’s veteran boutique hotels and restaurants. Madrigal and Grapes are classic sure bets, but foodies looking for something new can head to ZaZa.

Ceviche

Ceviche at The Fish Market (Photo Credit: C’est Christine)

Ceviche is a quintessential Panamanian dining experience. There’s even a sign at the international airport that says something along the lines of “welcome: please enjoy our ceviches.” That means that it’s a must! The Fish Market, right between Casco Viejo and the waterfront, will give you the authentic Panamanian food experience of your dreams. You’ll see regulars fill the small tables outside as they share food, sip beers, and catch up. There are many vendors to choose between and up to 30 different kinds of ceviche per stall. If you really want the full picture, see the market in action at 4:00am and dodge all the sea bass flying past your head.

Panama loves rum.

Grab an Abuelo No. 7 on the rocks at Tantalo Kitchen and Rooftop Bar. (photo from Tantalo’s Facebook page)

Panama loves rum. To start, sip on some Abuelo No. 7 on the rocks, an obligatory experience even for non-drinkers. Tantalo Kitchen and Rooftop Bar allows sweeping views of the glittering skyline for the ideal photo op. Many nights of the week the city’s younger crowd congregates here, holding their drinks up high as a DJ pumps beats into the balmy air. For something more low-key, check out Mojitos Sin Mojitos – a relative dive bar compared to the numerous high-energy hot spots around Casco Viejo. This is a great place for anyone who wants to avoid the party but still have a great time.

Casco Viejo Main Square

The dining scene is a huge part of Casco Viejo’s new identity. World-class food and drink give the historic district a new edge and travelers are beginning to catch on. So go on, grab a bite!

Interested in Panama? Check out our Panama Vacation Packages for trip ideas! Or browse our Culinary & Cultural Vacation Packages.

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