Popa Paradise Resort has the motto “barefoot luxury” and is true to its name. It’s an adult only resort and appeals to more “off the beaten path” travelers, though does not scrimp on amenities. You do need to know, it is remote. It is a 40 minute boat ride from Bocas Town, so once you’re on the island, you aren’t leaving except for island-led excursions. It’s unique among hotels in the region, because it is located on in the outer archipelago (Isla Popa) making it secluded. The hotel is located on 25 acres of beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise ocean, and rainforest. Because of its size, even at peak season, the pool and property don’t feel overrun with other travelers.
The central “clubhouse” hosts a beautiful pool with swim up bar, game room with pool and table tennis, gym with yoga studio area, and a lovely covered patio for all meals. The water right off the beach is calm, crystal clear turquoise, and great for swimming. There is a coral reef a short distance off of the beach which is fun to kayak to. The resort has an equipment room where you can take out snorkeling and fishing gear or ocean kayaks, all of which are included. The property offers individual casitas, suites, and lodge rooms depending on your budget; most have ocean views. Very good wifi is available at the central “clubhouse” and pool, but not in rooms. All rooms have AC and a TV.
It is difficult to leave this property as it is on its own remote island, so you will be having all meals at Popa and all excursions are organized by them. The chef on site was very good, using local ingredients to form his constantly creative menu. He can tailor the menu to fit dietary requirements. One night we were treated to lobster which was phenomenal. The bar is equally great. The bartenders whipped up amazing concoctions (we watched them chop a coconut off a tree by the pool for one and walk to the edge of the rainforest to harvest lemongrass for the Popajito). Prices for food and drinks were reasonable, and there is an easy option to make it “all inclusive”.
The staff is really amazing. The owners Rosie and Vince make sure your every need is accounted for. The support staff will come go out of their way to get you if they see a cayman, snake, toucan, etc which they think you’ll like. The owners only hire Panamanian staff and have a commitment to the the local indigenous community.
The property provides the boat ride from Bocas Town to Isla Popa as well as airport shuttle service from Bocas Town to the airport.
Tours offered from the island:
- Jungle Walk: an indigenous guide walks you right off the property to look for toucans, parrots, sloths, cayman, frogs, etc.
- Dolphin Bay: take a boat out and watch the dolphins near Isla San Cristobal
- Organic Chocolate Farm: visit a cacao plantation and learn about how chocolate is grown and manufactured
- Jungle Hike Popa Dos Indigenous Village: cruise through the mangroves, hike through the rainforest with an indigenous guide, and visit the village of the Popa Dos of the ngobe tribe
- Zapatilla Keys (Cayo Zapatillas): visit this world-renowned site which is part of Bastimentos Marine National Park and enjoy a snorkel
- Cayo de Agua: it hosts an undeveloped beach rarely visited by tourists, and also has snorkeling
- Crawl Key (Cayo Coral): snorkel the coral reef
- Red Frog Beach and Zip-Line: located on Isla Bastimentos, you can walk through the rainforest and look for sloths and red frogs, or enjoy the sandy beaches of the Bastimentos National Park. Also possible to add on a 3 hour zip-line.
- Urraca Island (aka Monkey Island): visit rescued and rehabilitated monkeys who now run this island.