El Otro Lado













While famous for its exports – whether literally, via the Panama Canal, or culturally, thanks to the popularity of Panamanian-influenced reggaeton – Panama and its hotels are more diverse than ever. Choose between warm Caribbean waters or pumping Pacific surf, or explore the volcanic landscape in between. Find what you’re looking for on our list of the best hotels in Panama.
A graffitied toucan greets you as you enter the bungalow-style Taca Tucan hostel, a block away from Playa Farallón. As its painted walls say, “life is a journey, not a destination” – so get to know your bunkmates, whether that’s cracking open a cold one on the beach together or challenging them to ping-pong on the patio.
Swing from the treetops in El Valle de Antón, a misty mountain town situated in the caldera of a volcano thought to have last erupted more than 13,000 years ago. The lodge has proudly played host to a number of celebrities, like actor Brad Pitt and naturalist Sir David Attenborough – who came to observe the local wildlife, such as two-toed sloths and dazzling tanager birds.