Our guide to Buenaventura

Everything we tell friends before they visit Buenaventura. We wrote it from our own trips.

The beach at Buenaventura from the air, the surf line and grey sand
  1. Getting to Buenaventura from Panama CityBuenaventura is on the Pacific coast at El Chirú, Coclé, about 1 hour 40 minutes' drive west of Panama City on the Pan-American Highway.
  2. What is free at Buenaventura, and what costs extraGuests at The Gliding Damselfly can use the El Faro, Puntarena and Las Dunas beach clubs, Martini Beach, the Laguna pools and the kayaks at no charge. The Sports Club, golf, spa, zoo and restaurants charge a fee. The hotel pool is not open to rental guests.
  3. The beach clubs and pools at BuenaventuraEl Faro is the best beach club at Buenaventura, and our guests can use it free, as well as Puntarena, Las Dunas (in the dry season), Martini Beach and the Laguna pools. For a cabana at El Faro on a weekend, arrive before 9 am.
  4. Where to eat at Buenaventura and nearbyMANSA, El Chiringuito de la Marina and La Contenta deliver to the apartment. For a night out, we love Xoko, just down the road, and Criollo at the hotel.
  5. Groceries and wine near BuenaventuraFor a full shop, go to Super 99 in Río Hato, 7 minutes' drive away. For wine and deli food, use Grand Deli Gourmet in Buenaventura or Felipe Motta in Puntarena.
  6. Things to do at BuenaventuraPlay the Jack Nicklaus design golf course, book the Corotú Spa, go fishing or sailing from the marina, ride at Las Cuadras, or take the children to the zoo, which is a hidden gem. Most of these charge a fee.
  7. Day trips from BuenaventuraThe best day trip from Buenaventura is El Valle de Antón, a town inside a volcanic crater about an hour's drive away. Go on a Sunday morning for the market. For the children, book a surfing lesson at El Palmar. For culture, go to La Pintada for hand-woven hats, and to Natá for one of the oldest churches in the Americas.
  8. Emergency numbers at Buenaventura and in PanamaFor a medical problem inside Buenaventura, call the resort paramedics on 908-3343. For a national emergency, call 911 for an ambulance, 104 for the police and 103 for the fire service.
  9. House rulesNo parties or events, no smoking, and no pets. Quiet hours are 10 pm to 8 am. The apartment suits families with young children.

Staying with us? Arrival, the house manual and checkout