Catalina's Hideaway
Eleven private casitas between jungle and Pacific beach, near Santa Catalina
About Catalina's Hideaway
Catalina's Hideaway is a family-owned beachfront hotel at Lago Bay (Lagartero) in Veraguas, a short drive from the surf town of Santa Catalina. It has 11 private casitas, a restaurant called Sobremesa, a pool and an oceanfront yoga deck. Charter flights reach an airstrip near the hotel in about 45 minutes.
Anthea and Ryan left Toronto to build Catalina's Hideaway themselves, and it still runs like a family project. The hotel sits on its own beach at Lago Bay, in Lagartero, with jungle behind it and the Pacific in front. It counts 11 private casitas, linked by garden paths to open-air spaces for eating and lounging. Choose from beachfront casitas, garden casitas, or two treehouses in the jungle.
Meals happen at Sobremesa, named for the Spanish habit of staying at the table once the food is gone. Breakfast runs from 7:30 to 10:00 AM, lunch and dinner follow, and the bar is built from purple Nazareno wood salvaged in the Darién. Between meals there is a pool, an almond-wood yoga deck facing the ocean, a mud bath on the private beach, horseback rides along the sand and four paddleboards for the bay.
Santa Catalina's surf breaks are a short drive away, and the team arranges lessons, snorkeling days, waterfall hikes and day trips to Coiba National Park, a UNESCO-listed park. Plan the journey with care: charter flights take about 45 minutes to the nearby Lago Bay airstrip, and the team can help with airport transfers.
At a glance
- Size: 11 private casitas
- Check-out: 11:00 a.m.
Perfect for
- Couples and honeymoons
- Families
- Wellness
Hotel Facts
Type
- Beachfront boutique hotel
Facilities
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Bar / Lounge
- Airport Transfer
Room Types
Beachfront Casita
Closest to the water, with a private loft of two twin beds for children.
56 (603 sq ft interior) m² · Pacific Ocean
Palm Beachfront Casita
Smaller than the Beachfront Casita, but with a private outdoor soaking tub.
42 (455 sq ft interior) m² · Pacific Ocean
Canopy Treehouse
Raised above the canopy, with a king bed, indoor shower and a hammock for two.
Jungle canopy
Dining
- Sobremesa: Beachfront restaurant with breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and a children's menu.
- Sobremesa bar: Bar built from purple Nazareno wood salvaged in the Darién.
Spa and wellness
- Yoga deck: Almond-wood deck facing the ocean among old palms.
- Mud bath: Natural mud treatment on the hotel's private beach.
- Massage and wellness treatments: Treatments are offered on site; ask reception before arrival.
On the property
- Pool: Open to non-guests with a day pass reserved in advance.
- Kayaks and paddleboards: Four boards are included with a stay; best on the bay at high tide.
- Horseback riding: Rides along the beach at sunrise or sunset with a local guide.
- Freshwater pond: Tropical birds gather here, and the hotel mentions a resident crocodile or two.
Good to know
- The two treehouses cannot take children under 5, because of the wildlife around them.
- Activities are arranged through reception, which asks for requests at least two days before arrival.
- If you drive in, fill the tank in Soná, as fuel is hard to find near the hotel.
Questions travellers ask
How do I reach Catalina's Hideaway from Panama City?
You can drive, or take a charter flight of about 45 minutes to the Lago Bay airstrip near the hotel. The hotel team can help arrange airport transfers.
Which casita suits a family with young children?
The hotel points families with younger children to its Garden Casitas and families with older children to the Beachfront Casitas, which have a private loft with two twin beds.
Can I eat at Sobremesa if I am staying elsewhere?
Yes. Visitors staying in Santa Catalina can book a table at any meal, or come for a cocktail beside the pool.
Can I visit Coiba National Park from here?
Yes. Coiba day trips are among the outings the team arranges, along with snorkeling and surf lessons.
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