Our Panamanian Hotel Experiences
During our 4-week trip around Panama, we stayed at a variety of hotels and guesthouses – in fact 11 in all. It therefore only seems logical that we should provide a summary of our Panamanian hotel experiences.
Budgets and Expectations
We varied our hotel budget, ranging between $33 and $66 per night (excluding taxes). However, none of the places we chose had a Tripadvisor score of less than 7.5, and most scored over 8.0. We were also careful to check that each guesthouse had a minimum of 50 reviews and that these reviews were recent.
So what could possibly go wrong?
As it turned out, plenty.
…discovered up in the hills of Boquete
Firstly, several of our guesthouses described themselves blantantly inaccurately, with misleading photos.
Even when we were booking our accommodation in advance, we found the costs excessive for what was being offered. When we actually saw what we had booked, it was too often with a sense of disappointment or even disbelief.
How they can charge $50-plus for some of these places is beyond me.
On the positive side all of our hosts were friendly, and a few of the places we stayed were definate keepers for our next visit to Panama.
Panamanian Hotel Experiences – How they Ranked
Of the 11 places we booked only 4 came up to scratch. The rest were not worth the money, and one or two were daylight robbery.
To clarify these findings, here are our guesthouses in order of value for money, from worst to best.
No 11 – Ushuaia. Isla Bastimentos, Bocas
$35 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
The Ushuaia guesthouse on Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro delivered us a truly horrific experience. We left after just one night. We weren’t too impressed with Bastimentos, either.
Check out our full report.
Visit Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘House of Ushuaia’ – Islay Bastimentos
No 10 – Hotel Central, Boquete
$70 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
Or why not try the narrowist goldfish bowl ever?
The room we were given at the Hotel Central Boquete was like sleeping in a railway carriage (but a lot more expensive – in fact the most expensive of our 4-week trip through Panama).
If you’re into stationary trains and garden juccuzzis, read our full report.
Panamanian hotel experiences – Hotel Central Boquete
No 9 – Residencia de la Marina, Boca Chica
$35 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
The Residencia de la Marina is nothing like their online description. No window in the room, really uncomfortable bed and a grotty bathroom.
There’s not a lot of choice in Boca Chica, but at least make sure you book something other than this.
The entrance to Residencia de la Marina
No 8 – Centroamericana Hotel, Panama City
$44 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
The Centroamericana hotel has small rooms located in a seedy area of Panama city, not far from metro Loteria.
You don’t need to walk far from this hotel before wandering into the city slum areas in the surrounding backstreets.
Panamanian hotel experiences – Area around the Centroamericana Hotel
No 7 – Hotel Iguanito, Santa Catalina
$56 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
The shared veranda makes the Hotel Iguanito feel like you’re living in a hostel. It’s a bit on the pricy side for what is offered, which because of the veranda is not very private.
However, they serve great food in their restaurant – See Around Town in Santa Catalina, Panama.
Panamanian hotel experiences – Hotel Iguanito gallery rooms
No 6 – Jungla Experience, Boquete
$38 per night – double room including taxes, including self-service breakfast
Fine as a backpackers hostel, but not if you want a private bathroom, or any general privacy. As there is no signpost it is very difficult to find the Jungla Experience on your own, especially arriving by bus.
For more details, see Jungla Experience Boquete Panama.
Panamanian hotel experiences – Boquete valley view
No 5 – Hotel Residencial Cervantez, David
$42 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
The Residencial Cervantez is a simple, unpretentious and inexpensive hotel in the heart of David. The hotel is a bit old-fashioned, but the bed was comfortable and there was cable TV.
Panamanian hotel experiences – Hotel Residencial Cervantes, David
No 4 – Tesoro Escondido, Bocas Del Tora
$58 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
The Tesoro Escondido is impossible to find without help (again, there are no signposts) but it is well located close to Bluff beach. Nice rooms and common areas.
A good choice for discovering Isla Colon.
Panamanian hotel experiences – Tesoro Escondido
No 3 – Hotel Boca Brava, Boca Chica
$60 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
The Boca Brava is a beautiful hotel by the sea, set high up in a remote jungle location. From our room we had terrific views over the sea and nearby islands.
Panamanian hotel experiences – Boca Brava Hotel
No 2 – Hotel Residencial la Terraza, Bocas del Toro
$69 per night – double room including taxes, excluding breakfast
The Hotel Residencial la Terraza is the perfect choice for Bocas del Toro. Away from the noise of the town with a tranquil pool and deck to swim and sunbathe.
Panamanian hotel experiences – Hotel Residencial la Terraza, Bocas Town
No 1 – Occidental Hotel, Panama City
$66 per night – double room including taxes, including breakfast
The Occidental Hotel in Panama City was the perfect introduction to this country, and the best hotel of our trip to Panama.
For more details, see Panama City Hotels.
Occidental Hotel, Panama City
Conclusion of our Panamanian Hotel Experiences
And our takeaway from all this?
Don’t try and go too cheap. Anywhere we stayed that charged less than $40 (including taxes) was a mistake.
You can still go wrong paying over this price, but your chances are much better… and don’t expect breakfast in the price – Breakfast was included at only one of the hotels/guesthouses we visited.
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