Panamonte Inn & Spa

Emanating Old World charm and relaxed New England country style, the Panamonte Inn & Spa is Boquete’s foremost bed and breakfast whose Swedish hospitality dates back to the time of the building of the Panama Canal. Since 1914, the legendary boutique inn has combined its enchanting Chiriqui Highlands cloud forest setting with exceptional dining and indulgent spa amenities to become a magnet for VIP jetsetters from around the world, the likes of which include John Wayne, Ingrid Bergman, and Richard Nixon.

Property Details

Panamonte Inn & Spa offers a collection of 25 guestrooms, spaciously appointed and Old World influenced, with fireplaces and private patios overlooking the bucolic grounds of manicured fruit trees, tropical flowers, and exotic birds. Following the property’s renovation and expansion in 2008, guests now have a choice between the original rooms in the main building, blooming with bygone details and character, or the newer trio of larger suites, set back in the gardens and designed with modern luxe style. Locally produced teak furniture, beautiful mountain views, and décor reminiscent of the early days of the Panama Canal are what set these latest accommodations apart from the rest, with the Master Suite offering the additional comforts of Jacuzzis, local artwork, and a private stone patio and fireplace.

Mornings at Panamonte Inn & Spa bring with it the sound of birdsong and rushing river waters and the smell of smooth, freshly roasted coffee—a family grown specialty. Guests will quickly find that all of the ingredients at Panamonte are fresh and local, sourced straight from Boquete’s fertile volcanic soil, Chiriqui’s crystalline rivers, or the nearby coastal waters. Award-winning Executive Chef and owner Charlie Collins takes full advantage of this diverse Panamanian bounty to create an all-day gourmet menu that has earned his restaurant its title as one of the best in Central America. From breakfasts of French toast made with in-house baked bread, to local trout sautéed in black butter and almonds, to a bowl of famed cream of zapallo (spiced pumpkin) soup, the options are both memorable and delicious and can be replicated at home through one of Chef Charlie’s hands-on cooking classes. All meals can be taken either in the dining room, in the privacy of the guestrooms, or at the famous Fireside Lounge, the inn’s elegant social center where the bartender lights each fireplace with a flame thrower, never forgets a guest’s name or martini order, and nurtures the genteel countryside atmosphere.

Between wandering in the flower-filled gardens and conversing fireside in the lounge, guests can take the five-minute walk into the Boquete city center for shopping and exploring. Panamonte Inn & Spa is a pioneer in ecotravel, offering access to the plethora of outdoor adventure within the Chiriqui highlands, from zip lining through canopied forests and rafting and kayaking along the rivers, to horseback riding, ATV touring, and hiking up Volcan Barú’s 12,000-foot summit—the only place where you see both the Caribbean and Pacific waters from each side. This region is home to hundreds of stunning birds, including the Resplendent Quetzal, as well as a number of internationally renowned coffee plantations where guests can learn the processing, roasting, grinding, and brewing processes that go into making the perfect cup of coffee. After an adrenaline-packed day, adjourn to one of the natural volcanic hot springs in nearby Caldera or to Panamonte’s own full-service day spa for maximum pampering and relaxation.