Panama Luxury Escapes: Insider's Guide to Panama City and Isla Palenque

Getting to Isla Palenque can be a bit of a puzzle, especially coordinating flights for a seamless journey. While not always achievable in a single day, a stopover in Panama City adds a delightful layer to your Panamanian experience.

I began in Panama City, a melting pot of culture and history. We settled into Le Compagnie, a newly renovated hotel featuring three distinct wings — Spanish, French and American — paying homage to the city's colonial past. It's a haven of modernity amid tradition, boasting some of the best dining options in town. Another gem is the American Trade Hotel, with retro, art deco vibes and right in the heart of Casco Viejo, or Old Town. Despite our limited time, we savored culinary delights at Madre, Lo Que Hay and Mahalo, but there are many great spots to choose from. Don't forget to find time for a private tour of the Panama Canal.

The next leg of our journey involved a flight from Panama City to David, typically departing from the smaller domestic airport. From there, an easy two-hour drive to Boca Chica awaits, where we met with a representative from Isla Palenque for a fun 15-minute boat ride to the island's utopia. With only eight casitas and a sprawling 6-bedroom villa, seclusion reigns supreme here. The island boasts just one restaurant, albeit a stellar one, offering sophisticated farm-to-table fare included in your stay. Service is laid back, with personalized attention and you feel very well taken care of

Days on Isla Palenque are as tranquil or adventurous as you desire. From lazy beach lounging to exhilarating activities like island hopping, paddle boarding and kayak fishing, there are many things to choose from every day. Casitas are spacious, air-conditioned and just steps from the beach. Noteworthy is the outdoor bathroom experience, complete with two showers and a charming bathtub under the stars, which can be drawn for you during turn down service for when you return from dinner.

Timing is everything. If you come in the "green" season, you will see more wildlife, but it might rain and be humid. If you come between July and October, you can go whale watching. The winter "dry" season is considered high season, and we saw plenty of howler monkeys and giant iguanas.

Why not have the whole island to yourselves? It is available for a buyout and can sleep up to 34 guests. It would be perfect for a small wedding, large family retreat or a big birthday celebration.

Isla Palenque is a magical private island however, it is not the easiest to get to. Get in touch and I can work out all the flights and transfers and make it a seamless experience.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Panama. In need of further inspiration? Check out Caitlyn Johnston’s guide, Discover the Best of Panama City.