The Balboa Inn is a small Bed & Breakfast at the foot of Panama’s main landmark, Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancón) in Balboa and around the corner of the Panama Canal Administration building.

Conveniently located between the downtown area, Amador Causeway and just minutes away from the domestic airport and the Panama Canal you are away from the city noise yet have access to all its services.

The Balboa Inn is the ideal base from which to explore Panama the place to stay during stopovers in Panama City from Bocas del Toro or San Blas (Kuna Yala).

We welcome families who will find our inn, its gardens and the surrounding neighborhood especially child-friendly and safe.  Birdwatchers will be thrilled with the amount of birds they’ll spot in our neighborhood.

Our Bed & Breakfast has nine rooms with private bathrooms. All rooms have WiFi Internet access, satellite TV, DVD player, air conditioning, ceiling fans and room safes.

A gorgeous garden, a real breakfast that keeps you going for the day, good value and dedicated customer service set this owner-managed inn apart.

Saskia Swartz, a former KLM flight attendant and her husband Thorwald Westmaas started the Balboa Inn to address the need for affordable yet quality accommodation in the Panama Canal area managed by friendly and helpful staff. Having worked for this fine Dutch airline for over 11 years, Mrs. Swartz knows what good service ‘looks like’ and is uniquely qualified to manage a hospitality business.

For maximum convenience you can check availability and rates online and book instantly. No more waiting for e-mails to be replied. Need a good place to stay last minute or a base for future explorations of Panama? The Balboa Inn is your best bet. But don’t wait too long with your booking. We’ve become quite popular.

We just redesigned our site and plan to update it regularly with articles of  interest to people wanting to explore Panama.  As you’ll find out, Panama is a lot more than the Canal and we will help you make the most out of your travel experience in Panama.

Enjoy! We look forward to having you stay at the Balboa Inn.

When Henry Morgan and his pirates raided Panama Viejo (Old Panama)in 1671, a new town was built in what is now referred to as ‘Casco Antiguo’ or ‘Casco Viejo’. As you stroll down the narrow streets of Panama’s colonial quarters you will encounter historic churches, beautiful plazas and plenty of restaurants.

At only a 5 minute drive from the Balboa Inn, the “Casco Viejo” is site you don’t want to miss. The best way to experience the Casco Antiguo/Viejo is through a guided tour. The local Casco Antiguo Office [OCA] offers free guided tours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The tours are usually with local bilingual students and can last from 2-3 hours. Your guide will explain to you the history of the Casco Viejo and it’s different sites thus providing you with a full experience of the area. In order to arrange a tour you can call the OCA office or ask one of our staff to arrange it. Be sure to ask for a bilingual guide.

If you can’t make the guided tour ask one of our staff for our map of Casco Viejo, it has all the main sites marked and we also try to stay up to date on any events going on in the area so don’t hesitate to ask.

This beautiful island is under an hour away; just a boat ride across the Panama Canal entrance. It is sometimes referred to as the “Island of Flowers” because of the abundance of orchids, roses, and other variety of flowers that adorn its beautiful walkways.

Taboga is a perfect day-getaway from the traffic and business of the city. While on the island you can shop, birdwatch, scuba dive or simply spend the day on the beach. There are a couple of public beaches, and one private beach accessible by a nice hike through the jungle. One of the more historically interesting sites is a simple church that lies on the island. It was found in 1550 making it the second oldest church in the western hemisphere.

If you do choose stay overnight at Isla Taboga there are a few small B&Bs and hotels. Some of these hotels, like the Cerrito Tropical, even offer day pass where you can use a room for the day. They can also help set you up with hiking fishing, boating and snorkeling trips by advance reservation. The Hotel Taboga is closed as undergoes renovation into a probable resort however here are some other places to stay .

Getting to the Island:

To get to the island you must take one of two ferries. The Calypso ferry departs from the Playita de Amador on the Amador Causeway. The ferry departure times are in the chart below. Times can change  without notice so to confirm departure/arrival times call (507) 314-1730 or check with your hotel. You need to be there an hour before departure, this can be important because there are two afternoon boats and its better to get the latest on so you can don’t have to rush your day. Ticket prices are $11 adults, $7 kids & seniors (roundtrip) and the trip lasts 45min-1 hour. Last piece of advice is bring cash because there are not ATMs or banks on the island.

The other ferry option leaves from the Balboa Yacht Club at 8AM and 3PM M-Sunday. The tickets cost $10 Round trip and the ride is 30-45min. Again you want to be there an hour early. To confirm the time you can call 314-0571

El Valle de Anton is a small mountain valley town located in an ancient volcanic crater. The beauty and temperate climate of the area are partly why this is a popular weekend getaway for locals as well as a preferred tourist destination. The best part is that despite it’s popularity it retains it’s sleepy village charm and never feels overrun with tourists.

In spite of its small size El Valle offers plenty of things to enjoy in a few days or weekend, especially for those who come to Panama to enjoy it’s natural beauty.

Activities available include zip lining, hiking, a small zoo, bike riding, thermal waters, horse back riding and nothing has to be planned ahead of time except perhaps the hotel. El Valle is very tourist friendly and if your hotel isn’t much help with information you can check with the local tourist booth on the main street next to the outdoor market.

Getting Here

By Bus:

You can take a direct bus, about 2 hours, from the Albrook Terminal. They leave about every 1/2 hour and it costs $3.50 each way. The latest you want to leave is 6PM, after that you will arrive late in El Valle and there won’t be many options for dinner. Some advice about the bus, while physically the seating is comfortable some find the drivers’ speed to be excessive, the last 1/2 hour is through windy roads in the hills, for those who suffer motion sickness take this into consideration. Also always bring a jacket and perhaps some headphones on the bus, they crank up the air conditioning and the music quite loud.

Be sure to ask your hotel where to have the bus driver drop you off or arrange for them to pick you up in front of the market (el mercado) and to get around once you in El Valle you can rent bicycles, grab a taxi, or talk with your hotel about arranging transport.

By Rental Car:

This is the preferred method of transport to El Valle. The town is just 30-40 minutes from some great beaches, so with the rental car you have the freedom to head to the beach for a day if you choose.

Recommended Accommodation

Casa Di Pietra B&B

You can’t help but feel at home in this beautifully decorated B&B. It’s a small place, 6 rooms, run by a very friendly and hospitable Costa Rican family. Breakfast is included in their prices and they offer dinner for a separate price, we highly recommend you try at least dinner once at the Casa Di Pietra, you won’t regret it. Note: They don’t allow kids so this is a better place for couples and/or friends traveling together. $60-$90

Golden Frog Inn

A popular choice in El Valle, this B&B has suites and individual guest rooms. They are famous for their beautiful gardens and surrounding scenery and of course the pool. In addition they have a great staff that will help you with organizing activities during your stay and with any questions or concerns you might have. $70-$130

Anton Valley Hotel

This small hotel is one of the top rated hotels in the area, it is located right on the main street of El Valle and has it’s own restaurant next door, Bruschetta, which is very popular with locals and tourists. $55-$125

A very popular destination among our guests is Kuna Yala (San Blas).  Our location near the Albrook airport is ideal to catch the mostly early morning flights.  We also allow you to leave luggage in storage until you return to meet baggage weight limitations (25 lbs /12.5 kg) and if you arrive with an early flight from San Blas, drop of your luggage and go explore town and check in later when your room is ready.

Accommodation:

Hotels or better, cabanas and lodges, are generally very basic and rustic while rates vary from very affordable $ …. to expensive ($100 per person) We recommend the following two hotels for their quality service provided in the past.

Yandup Lodge – ranges $80-$100 per person per night.

Kuanidup Lodge- $90-$100 per person per night.

An advisory, as mentioned earlier packages range in price. They usually include accomodation, 3 meals a day, and 1-2 daily tours. However we’ve heard of many experiences where the guests feel like they didn’t receive what was promised, so be sure to thoroughly research where you are staying and to make sure you know what you are paying for. A tip, always bring extra snacks and drinks and small bills. Some questions you want to ask when booking a lodge in San Blas:

1) what does the package include?

2) Are the bathrooms shared or private? Is there a shower, shared or private?

3) Is there electricity? what hours of the day?

4) Is the lodge near a village or on it’s own island? Some people want to see local culture/life and other prefer to be more isolated.

5) Does the lodge have it’s own beach?

Getting there:
It’s very important to book early.  Flights run 1 a day to the different islands. The main stops are Carti, El Porvenir, and Playon Chico so be sure to check with the lodge where you need to fly to. Flights leave usually at 6AM but can be delayed so try to check the afternoon before to confirm the flight time. Flights run about $110 per person with taxes.

To certain lodges you can go by car, it’s a 2-3 hour drive in a 4×4 car. Some people might find flying more comfortable but if you don’t mind a bit of adventure go by car. It runs $50 per person Roundtrip and pick ups are usually done around 5/6AM at your hotel. If you arrange this yourself be sure to confirm the hour and get the cell# of the driver, it has occurred in the past with some drivers that they simply don’t show up or arrive about 4 hours later.

Due to our experience with other drivers, for our guests we use our own trusted and licensed tourism taxi, Julian. The trip is $75 per person Roundtrip.

Panama Restaurant week is back for 2010 with some of the best restaurants participating this year. This event is put on twice a year by the city with the support of several private companies including Canada Dry Ginger Ale. This year there are 30 restaurants participating, including some newly opened eateries. These 30 restaurants will offer from March 15 to March 30 special menus that sample their delicious cuisine. The menus will normally allow you to choose an appetizer, main dish, and a dessert from their available selection along with a glass of Morande (Chile) wine.

The price of the menu varies depending on the restaurant, usually between $20- $30 per person (not including tax or tip). To see the participating restaurants and their menus please visit www.panamarestaurantweek.com. From there you can select “Restaurantes” and see the list of restaurants along with their contact information and menu for this special event.

The purpose of the Panama Restaurant Week is to allow locals and tourists alike to sample the various cuisine offered in Panama by some of it’s best restaurants at an accessible price. Panama City is one the most metropolitan cities in Central America and one of the most culturally diverse as well, this combination has allowed Panama to develop a competitive restaurant scene with chefs from all around the world. So take advantage of your time here in Panama to enjoy this event and sample some of the best cuisine in Panama.

Some of the nearby restaurants that are participating are:

Cafe Barko (Amador Causeway)

Indigo (Casco Viejo)

Puerta de Tierra Steakhouse (Casco Viejo)

Scena/Platea (Casco Viejo)

Since we are a relatively new kid on the block, few people, including taxi drivers, know our location. Or worse, they think they know, but they really don’t.

So, to help you, or your taxi driver, or friends that plan to pick you up or take you to the Balboa Inn, we created this section, detailing every possible approach.

We don’t think we can make it any clear so if you still can’t find us after studying this section, we will request the competent authority to revoke your driving licence .

As a general guidance, below an updated and corrected Google map and two pictures of the important landmark, the “Instituto Marina Mercante”, which is where you enter the street leading to the Balboa Inn.

Corrected map of Balboa area

 

Albrook Airport (officially Marcos A. Gelabert) is only a 5 minute taxi ride away from the Balboa Inn. Walking isn’t really an option due to lack of sidewalks and busy traffic in one particular area.

Getting there
To get to Albrook airport we can either call you a taxi or you walk two blocks and flag one down on the street. If you have an early morning departure let us know a day in advance to arrange a taxi ahead of time so you won’t miss your flight.

If you have a rental car, ask our reception staff for a copy of our ‘how to get to Albrook airport’ sheet or print the Albrook Airport info sheet.

Getting to the Balboa Inn from Albrook Airport
Simply get a taxi at the airport. Make SURE you carry a printed copy of this sheet !  The fare should be $ 5.  We can arrange pickup but since the local airlines have a habit of arriving a little after scheduled times, the fee will be $ 5-6, depending on the waiting time.

If you have rental car, it’s easy too. Just print the Albrook Airport info sheet with directions.  If the car has a GPS map, we’re under ‘accommodations’, ‘Balboa Inn’.  But, since the car-rental company may not carry the latest version of the map, better print that info sheet anyway.

Below a few images to show exactly how close we are.  Please note the handmade map (2nd image) is not totally up-to-date except for the area close to the Balboa Inn itself.

Finding us when you return from the other side of the Canal over the Bridge of the Americas is very easy.

• Take the first exit to the right after crossing the bridge
• Follow the road and continue to the right at the intersection
• After about half a mile, there’s a traffic light; make a right
• Take the first street on your left (1/3 mile); there’s a blue and white painting on the corner called ‘Instituto Marina Mercante’
• Continue into the neighborhood and pass 5 speed bumps
• About 50 yards after the 5th speed bump you’ll find the Balboa Inn on your right hand side

The pictures below make it even clearer.

If you have not arranged our airport transfer service and come by taxi, especially late at night, these instructions will help your driver find us. Remember, we’re a relatively new kids on the block so few taxi drivers know our location. Or, they simply assume we are another B&B like La Estancia or a back-packer hostel called ‘Balboa Bay’.  And as we still have to meet the first taxi driver who can read maps, they are not of much use either. However, we have included one below for your own reference.

So PLEASE print this page – or better, this PDF file – and take it with you and save yourself from possible frustration.

• Quiero ir a Balboa (area revertida). Primero al Instituto Marina
  Mercante el cual se encuentra frente la escuela Bolivar. Allí
  entramos. A cien metros hay una intersección: seguimos recto,
  pasando cinco (5) policias muertas .   Despues del quinto,
  apenas saliendo de la curva esta la casa 2311-A a su mano
  derecha.  Es la parte izquierda de un duplex. 
  Tiene un escudo pintado en la pared de fondo de la cochera que
  dice ‘Balboa Inn’.
  
   

  Teléfonos: 314-1520 / 6618-4414    

 

If you are in Gamboa, simply drive to the city taking the only road that takes you there.  First you pass the Pedro Miguel locks (on your right hand).  After crossing the railroad there, in about 10 minutes you’ll pass Clayton (former military barracks on your left hand and a big sign “Ciudad del Saber” (City of Knowledge).    The image below gives you an aerial view of this area. 

Continue on this road along the railroad track.  It’s now less than 5 minutes to the first traffic light.  At the 2nd traffic light, about 1 mile ahead, you’ll see a huge sign of ‘Supermercados REY’ on your left.  From then on, the maps of the Albrook airport section will help you.