16 Most Sustainable Eco-Lodges in Panama
Panama borders multiple cultures and diverse landscapes making it one of the most exciting and fun destinations. Boiling volcanoes, steaming geysers, stunning peaks, pristine lakes, and vistas that could shame even the most skilled artist.
Naturally, its intricate ecosystem and landscape require careful considering the environment. Luckily, many eco-lodges around Panama have adopted an eco-conscious mind; some are going green, while others are already en route to becoming an ecologically safe destination.
Isla Palenque Resort
A 5-star eco-resort in Boca Chica, Isla Palenque Resort is a dream come true for travelers seeking comfort, luxury, and solace. Isla Palenque spans 400 acres, stretching over a tropical island in the Gulf of Chiriqui, providing guests with mind-blowing vistas and an accommodating destination. Here, you’ll find a variety of beachfront casitas and a villa estate, all equipped with the finest amenities and facilities.
Isla Palenque Resort also offers island hopping tours, snorkeling, guided jungle hikes, island foraging, and even assistance with whale watching. If that wasn’t a steal already, Isla Palenque is also eco-friendly; the resort was designed and built with sustainability in mind and uses locally biodegradable products. It even serves all-organic foods and uses energy-efficient techniques to power itself.
Mount Totumas Cloud Forest Resort
Imagine waking up to birds chirping and a view of swinging vines and misty trees. If it sounds like a dream, you can make it come true at the Mount Totumas Cloud Forest, where you can sleep at Mother Nature’s doorstep. You can stay in cabins or tree houses in the smack-dab middle of the deep forest.
Mount Totumas Cloud Resort isn’t only located in the heart of the cloud forest, but its unique location also makes it one of the few sustainable resorts in Panama. The Cloud Forest Resort is completely off-the-grid; it utilizes steam power and a micro-hydro peloton generator to drive the rest of its required energy. It’s also working on multiple community programs to protect the cloud forest’s endangered flora and fauna.
Canopy Tower and Lodge
Head to Canopy Tower, and you’ll find relaxing, spacious rooms adorned with the finest furniture and luxuries, which could rival even the top hotels in the world. Since there are only twelve rooms, the Canopy Tower is perfect for guests who easily get annoyed with crowds. Canopy Lodge’s rooms either overlook the balcony or offer a stunning view of the gardens, making it even more enjoyable to stay there.
Guests can also avail of various activities and packages, including specialized tours arranged by Canopy Lodge and a variety of birding, and day activities. It minimizes energy usage through solar panels, has a water management and waste management system, and even utilizes natural materials in construction.
Tranquilo Bay
Just from the name, you can get an idea of what kind of a resort Tranquilo Bay is; the destination is famous for its accommodating staff, comfortable lodgings, and an impossibly relaxing environment. At Tranquilo Bay, guests can choose between spacious cabanas or high treehouse lodges located in the middle of a beautiful rainforest. If you stay at the treehouse lodge, you’ll be lucky enough to spot where the rainforest meets the mangrove forest.
The lodge serves specialized meals prepared from freshly grown, organic ingredients and brews fresh Panamanian coffee. Tranquilo Bay prioritizes sustainability by using eco-friendly and reusable materials, practicing responsible water usage, and using a waste management system.
Morrillo Beach Eco Resort
Morrillo Beach Eco Resort is an oceanfront boutique eco-resort surrounded by lush green gardens, dramatic views, and a collection of rooms that would make you feel like you’re starring in a Disney Movie. Morillo Beach Eco Resort’s oceanfront location makes it an excellent destination for beach lovers and creates the perfect ambiance for a family-friendly trip.
The rooms at Morillo Beach Eco Resort feature comfortable furniture and bedding, like orthopedic mattresses, picturesque views, and even personal hammocks. Morillo Beach Eco Resort partakes in countless eco-initiatives and is majorly solar-powered—the eco-resort plans on going 100% solar-powered by 2026.
Al Natural Resort
Do you ever just want to run off to an isolated area and spend some days exploring the coast and listening to the waves crash to the shore? Visit Al Natural Resort, located in Punta Veja, which offers a combination of villas and bungalows just a little far off, so you can still explore without running into other tourists.
Al Natural Resort also provides a single-property cabin, Natural House, located just by the shore, which is suitable for a solo traveler or just one couple. All villas, bungalows, and natural houses are powered by solar panels 24/7. Outdoor accommodations include mosquito nets to maximize comfort.
Casa Cayuco
Relax and unwind at Casa Cayuco, where luxury meets comfort and serenity. Casa Cayuco is one of the most beautiful eco-resorts; it features a collection of bungalows, villas, and even treehouses, with a mind-blowingly beautiful oceanfront deck that extends into the sea. Guests at Casa Cayuco can relax with Mother Nature and go to the beach anytime.
The eco-resort offers a variety of activities tailored for naturalists who can’t get enough of mother nature. It’s also one of the few lodges in Panama that is 100% committed to sustainability. The eco-resort uses solar panels and clean-burning propane to facilitate energy consumption. It has a rainwater harvesting system, water-saving showerheads, and a thorough waste reduction system.
Islas Secas
Families seeking a friendly but private destination will find the perfect match at Islas Secas, an excellent private tropical resort where you’ll find a practical heaven. Islas Secas is considered an architectural masterpiece because it was designed to honor the environment around it, allowing it to stand atop a dramatic cliff with the sea crashing heavily on the bottom.
Islas Secas’ exhilarating location also makes it a prime destination for adventure seekers, who can tackle surrounding cliffs and explore the wilderness. Wrapped by rainforests, Islas Secas offers exquisite lodgings that could please even royalty. All its luxury is sustainable, 100% solar powered, renewable, and eco-friendly.
Bambuda Lodge
There’s nothing more satisfying than staying at a lodge where you know you’ll get your money’s worth. The Bambuda Lodge takes us up on the challenge and includes the luxury and finesse you wouldn’t expect from a beachfront hostel. Guests are greeted by a massive freshwater pool, clinking glasses of pina coladas, and an exciting 150-foot water slide that takes you directly to the ocean from the bar.
Sounds fun enough? Wait until you hear about its yoga regimens and oceanfront activities, and check out the hostel. If that wasn’t sufficient, Bambuda Lodge is also eco-friendly; it is 100% sustainable and employs various eco-friendly techniques to stay afloat.
Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort
Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort is perfect for anyone who loves relaxing stretches by the ocean and the soothing sound of the waves rocking them to sleep. Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort’s promise begins with sustainability; it uses special energy-efficient equipment that minimizes carbon footprint and proactively protects the ozone layer.
Sansara Retreat offers an extensive wellness program, so it’s ideal for people who want to escape life for a little while. Here, you’ll find oceanfront suites and cabanas stretching along the shore. Some cabanas also feature garden views, a plus for anyone who’s obsessed with nature. Don’t forget to enjoy Sansara’s delectable cuisine, all made fresh and organic.
La Loma Jungle Lodge
In the mighty jungle, the lion isn’t the only one sleeping; you get to, too. The La Loma Jungle Lodge brings you a fascinating, exciting, and relaxing stay right in the midst of a dramatic rainforest in Panama. La Loma Jungle Lodge brings you an experience you’ll never find anywhere else, featuring accommodations that offer panoramic open-air views of the surrounding rainforest.
All rooms at La Loma Jungle Lodge feature biodegradable and zero-waste toiletries, mosquito nets, ceiling fans powered sustainably, yoga mats and blocks, and even a private bathroom with a hot shower. Don’t worry; the destination is as eco-friendly as possible.
Dolphin Bay Hideaway
Dolphin Bay Hideaway is a quirky little B&B that provides the perfect mix of comfort and luxury. While it may not look the part, the B&B brings a charm that could make even the savviest traveler feel at home. Dolphin Bay Hideaway is tucked into the trees and gardens on Dolphin Bay, providing a cute sanctuary for exhausted naturalists who ventured into Panama.
Dolphin Bay Hideaway includes cozy hammocks hanging from balconies and eye-catching views that make you want to extend your stay. Accommodations are simple but adorned with the finest facilities, adding the perfect combination of luxury and simplicity. Solar panels power it, and it is entirely off-the-grid.
Pacific Bay Resort
The Pacific Bay Resort is one of the most uniquely exclusive destinations; it is open only from the 1st of June through the 28th of February because the resort wants to ensure the safety and sanctity of local flora and fauna. With a resort this thoughtful, you know you’re in the right place.
The resort is exceptional because it opens up to not only one but three beaches, so every beach lover will enjoy exploring the shore. Pacific Bay Resort spans 140 acres but purposely leaves 130 acres untouched to provide a safe habitat to local animals. It’s only accessible by boat, is off-the-grid, and sustainable.
CocoVivo
Dip your toes in the ocean and watch a magnificent jungle meet the reefs as you stay at CocoVivo, a unique private reserve located on Isla Cristobal in Bocas Del Toro. CocoVivo spans 55 acres, all of it completely off-the-grid, so it’s the one place where a holiday truly feels like one.
CocoVivo is one of the only places where tourists can interact with rarely-seen animals like the sloth, swim with dolphins, and spot kinkajous. The reefside is also bioluminescent, so every swim feels like a walk in space. CocoVivo’s unique and enthralling presence makes it even more important to protect its surroundings, so you’ll find the eco-resort powering the cabin through sustainable means.
Eco Venao
If you’d like to see what it looks like to actively give back to Mother Nature and protect her territory, head to Eco Venao. Set within a reforestation project, Eco Venao is dedicated to safeguarding dry tropical forests and ensures its resort delivers satisfaction without harming the environment.
At Eco Venao, you’ll find so many accommodations it will be hard to pick a side. From beachfront cabanas, casitas, and suites to even a surfer’s hostel, Eco Venao has a bed for every type of sleeper. Eco Venao takes excellent care in the 3 Rs (reuse, recycle, reduce), utilizes ecological designs for its properties, and is incredibly careful with water consumption. It also has a percolation field.
Selva Terra
Selva Terra is more than just a hotel; it’s an experience that allows travelers to explore the best of Panama with just a little help from a tour guide. That’s right; Selva Terra is one of the only hotels in Panama that specializes in nature tours, so if you’re a sucker for dramatic views and landscapes, you know where to go.
Selva Terra offers oceanfront suites, a villa, a beach house, and 9 casitas, all offering occupancy ranging from 2-6 people. Although located in rugged terrain, Selva Terra is dressed like a 5-star hotel, equipped with amenities and facilities like ACs and daily housekeeping. It is 100% solar-powered and is an active participant in countless eco-initiatives.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.