Hotel Playa Cambutal

Ten ocean-facing rooms on the black sand of Cambutal

About Hotel Playa Cambutal

Hotel Playa Cambutal is a ten-room beachfront hotel in Cambutal, at the southern tip of the Azuero Peninsula. Every room has an ocean-facing balcony. The hotel has a large pool, a beachfront restaurant and a surf break in front of it. Cambutal is reached by road, about five to six hours from Panama City.

Hotel Playa Cambutal has ten rooms on the black sand of Cambutal, a small surf town at the southern tip of the Azuero Peninsula. Every room has a balcony facing the ocean, plus air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a mini fridge and cable television. The hotel sits at the end of the road, and the town around it is small.

The beach break is directly in front of the hotel, and 411, another of Cambutal's breaks, is about ten minutes away. Dry season, January to April, gives the best wave shape. August to October brings the biggest waves. If you would rather stay out of the water, there is a large pool, a hammock area, a lawn and pergolas on the beach. Guests can borrow bicycles, kayaks and snorkels.

Meals are served at the beachfront restaurant, on the beach deck or beside the pool. The menu runs from fresh seafood and sushi to burgers and a cobb salad, and Tuesday night is pizza night. The beach bar opens on Fridays and Saturdays, with a happy hour from 4 to 6 pm. Guided horseback rides, Polaris tours and sea turtle walks with a local conservation group can also be arranged.

At a glance

Size: 10 rooms
Check-in: 3:00 PM
Airport (PTY): about five to six hours by road from Panama City

Perfect for

Surfing
Beach time
Nature and wildlife

Hotel Facts

Type

Beachfront boutique hotel

Facilities

Pool
Restaurant
Bar / Lounge

Room Types

Queen Room

Queen bed, described by the hotel as suited to a couple.

Ocean view with balcony

Double Room

The room for families or small groups: it takes up to four people.

Ocean view with balcony

Dining

Beachfront Restaurant: Seafood, sushi, local dishes, burgers and a cobb salad; pizza on Tuesday nights.
Beach Bar: Open Fridays and Saturdays, happy hour 4 to 6 pm, on the beach deck.

On the property

Ocean-front pool: Large pool with lounge areas and a place to eat beside it.
Pergolas, hammocks and lawn: Shaded spots at the pool and on the beach, plus an open lawn.
Bicycles, kayaks and snorkels: Guests can borrow them; surfboards and paddleboards are rented separately.
Guided tours: Polaris trips, horseback rides and sea turtle walks.

Good to know

Cambutal is at the southernmost point of the Azuero Peninsula, and the road trip from Panama City takes five to six hours.
Stays require a minimum of two nights.
Pets, coolers and barbecue or grilling are not allowed on the property.

Questions travellers ask

How long is the drive from Panama City to Cambutal?

Plan on five to six hours. The route follows the Pan-American Highway to Divisa, passes through Chitré and Las Tablas to Tonosí, and ends with about 20 minutes of driving to Cambutal.

Do all rooms face the ocean?

Yes. All ten rooms have an ocean-facing balcony, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a mini fridge and cable television.

Can I surf right in front of the hotel?

Yes, a beach break sits directly in front of the hotel. Other breaks, such as 411, are about ten minutes away, and the hotel runs surf tours to local spots.

What is there to do besides surfing?

The hotel arranges Polaris tours, horseback rides and sea turtle walks. Guests can also borrow bicycles, kayaks and snorkels, or walk to nearby caves and the marina.