Isla Palenque Resort

A private 400-acre island with eight beachfront casitas and seven beaches

About Isla Palenque Resort

Isla Palenque Resort is a private 400-acre island in the Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama, with eight beachfront casitas and a separate Villa Estate. Seven beaches, an infinity pool and Las Rocas Restaurant & Bar are on the island. Boats cross from Boca Chica in 15 minutes; David airport is about an hour from that port.

Isla Palenque is a private island of 400 acres in the Gulf of Chiriquí, covered in primary forest and edged by seven secluded beaches. The resort sits on the west side, along Playa Palenque, a 1.3 km stretch of sand facing the Pacific. Eight beachfront casitas line this beach, together with the pool, a hammock lounge and Las Rocas Restaurant & Bar. The boat dock is a 10-minute drive away.

The only other place to sleep is the Beachfront Villa Estate, on the east side above Playa Primera. It is rented as a whole, for up to 14 guests, never room by room. A stay covers meals, snacks, soft drinks, guided tours of the island, the boat crossing from Boca Chica and the use of kayaks and paddleboards.

Days follow the water and the forest. You can paddle, hike the jungle trails, go island hopping and snorkeling, do yoga on any of the beaches or book a massage in your casita or outdoors. Humpback whales enter the gulf to calve between July and November, and on calm mornings they can sometimes be seen from shore. Sightings are never promised.

At a glance

Size: 8 casitas and 1 villa estate
Check-in: From 3pm
Check-out: 11am
Airport (DAV): about 1 hour by road to the Boca Chica port, then a 15-minute boat ride

Perfect for

Couples and honeymoons
Families
Nature and wildlife

Hotel Facts

Type

Private island resort

Facilities

Pool
Restaurant
Bar / Lounge
Airport Transfer
Internet access / Wi Fi

Room Types

Beachfront Casitas

Eight casitas on the west beach, each with direct beach access, Wi-Fi and an iPad.

Playa Palenque and the Pacific

Beachfront Villa Estate

Rented as a whole for groups; breakfast is served at the villa, other meals at Las Rocas.

East side of the island, above Playa Primera

Dining

Las Rocas Restaurant & Bar: Panamanian cooking on Playa Palenque, set among palms facing the Pacific.
Cooking and pastry classes: Run by the island hosts, alongside a cocktail mixology workshop.

Spa and wellness

Massages: Relaxing or deep tissue, with an optional facial, given in your room or outdoors.
Yoga: Private platforms among the palms or on any beach; each room has a mat, block and cushion.

On the property

Infinity pool, sunbeds and hammock lounge: On Playa Palenque, next to the restaurant and the casitas.
Seven beaches: Playa Palenque is the largest, at 1.3 km.
Kayaks and paddleboards: Complimentary for guests to use.
Guided island tours: Jungle hikes, island hopping and snorkeling, and whale watching in season.

Good to know

The Beachfront Villa Estate is only available as a whole-house rental, not as separate rooms.
In a medical emergency, the resort takes guests by boat to the mainland and on to the hospital in David.
Playa Palenque, where the casitas and restaurant are, is a 10-minute drive from the arrival dock.

Questions travellers ask

Which airport is best for reaching Isla Palenque Resort?

Tocumen (PTY) is the closest international airport. The most direct route from there is a domestic flight to David (DAV), where the resort meets you, drives you to the port at Boca Chica and sends a boat for the 15-minute crossing.

When can I arrive and when do I leave?

Rooms are ready from 3pm, and the resort will try to have yours ready sooner if you arrive early. Departure is at 11am.

Can a family stay at Isla Palenque Resort?

Yes. Each Beachfront Casita sleeps up to four, and the Villa Estate takes up to 14, which suits a larger family or a group of friends.

What is there to do on the island?

Kayaking, paddleboarding, jungle hikes, snorkeling trips to nearby islands, yoga, massages, cooking classes and a cocktail workshop. Humpback whales are in the gulf from July to November.