Hacienda del Mar

Beachfront cabins and jungle tracks on San José Island, Pearl Islands

About Hacienda del Mar

Hacienda del Mar is an eco-hotel on San José Island in Panama's Pearl Islands, with five cabin and suite types a few steps from the beach. It has an infinity pool, a seafood-focused clubhouse restaurant and ATV, kayak and night safari outings. Guests arrive by scheduled flight from Albrook airport in Panama City, or by boat.

Hacienda del Mar is an eco-hotel on San José Island, the second largest island in the Pearl Islands archipelago. The cabins stand a few steps from the beach, in five types that range from a single room with two double beds to a two-bedroom suite for six. Every cabin has air conditioning, a ceiling fan and a private tiled bathroom with hot water.

The clubhouse looks over the ocean and holds a restaurant serving international dishes with a seafood focus, a sports bar with a pool table and an outdoor snack bar. The infinity pool is fed by a natural spring. Breakfast and hot drinks come with the stay, and a welcome cocktail waits on arrival.

Days belong to the island. You can kayak or snorkel from the beach, drive an ATV along jungle tracks, join a night safari, tour the coast by boat or the interior by car, or fish for four or eight hours. From July to October whales pass through. Massages can be arranged with two days' notice. Guests are met on arrival and driven through the forest to the hotel.

At a glance

• Size: 5 room types
• Check-in: Morning, when the flight lands (before noon)
• Check-out: Afternoon, timed to the flight out

Perfect for

• Nature and wildlife
• Adventure
• Beach time

Dining

• Clubhouse restaurant: International dishes with a seafood focus, in the ocean-view clubhouse.
• Sports bar: Pool table, in the clubhouse overlooking the ocean.
• Outdoor snack bar: Outdoor counter for snacks, part of the clubhouse.

Spa and wellness

• Massages: Sixty-minute massage; book two days ahead, subject to availability.

On the property

• Infinity pool: Fed by a natural spring, at the clubhouse.
• Private beach and loungers: Beach loungers on the hotel's own beach.
• Kayaks and snorkeling gear: Part of the stay, for exploring the clear water off the beach.
• ATV and night safari tours: Jungle tracks and wildlife viewing across the island.

Good to know

• This is the only hotel on San José Island, so meals, tours and transfers all run through the hotel.
• The hotel books the flights between Albrook airport and the island, so arrival and departure days follow the flight schedule.
• Pack sun protection and insect repellent, which the hotel recommends for the remote parts of the island.

Questions travellers ask

How do you reach Hacienda del Mar from Panama City?

By scheduled flight from Albrook, the city's domestic airport, which is separate from Tocumen international airport. A boat crossing is also possible. The hotel books the flights and meets guests on the island.

Which room suits a family?

The Admiral Suite has two bedrooms and sleeps six. The VIP Suite and the HDM Room each sleep four, and the hotel lists a baby playpen and extra beds.

What comes with the stay besides the room?

Breakfast and hot drinks, a welcome cocktail, kayaks, snorkeling gear and beach loungers. Wi-Fi is available in common areas.

What is there to do away from the beach?

ATV rides on jungle tracks, night safaris, boat and car tours of the island, fishing trips and, as availability allows, scuba diving. Whale watching runs from July to October.

Gallery

Similar Hotels

Contadora Island Inn

A remodeled island house with five rooms, steps from the beaches

Read More