El Otro Lado, Portobelo

Tucked between the luscious Panama rainforest and crystal clear Caribbean ocean, the vibrant El Otro Lado is bursting with colour, luxury and atmosphere – just the way we like it. A strong emphasis on bright colours, local artists and the environment make up the dynamic beach-meets-rainforest resort, and the five luxurious houses each have a slightly different colour scheme, beautifully decorated with fresh colours, quirky pieces of art and crisp white linens. The resort boasts a brilliant menu combining local Caribbean and international cuisine, dubbed a ‘Caribbean gastronomic fusion’ – full of mouth-wateringly exotic flavours.

Location

Situated on Portobelo beach in the Caribbean, El Otro Lado is in the heart of the Portobelo national park and is just 80 minutes from Panama City. Lose yourself in the exotic surroundings; explore the coral reefs, wander through the mangroves and discover the abundant wildlife that the rainforest has to offer – the toucans, sloths and tiny tree frogs are our favourites.

Your room

There are four luxurious nature-themed guest houses at El Otro Lado, each with a different twist. Boasting stunning interiors influenced by the surroundings and culture, the houses are light, bright and colour-rich with impressive views of both the rainforest and ocean. The Sun house has a kitchenette, while the Spirit house has two bedrooms each with en-suites, a spacious living room and fully equipped kitchen – perfect for families. If you’re staying with a larger party, tropic-colonial Casa Grande is sprawled over two floors and has 3 double bedrooms, each with en-suites. Surrounded by spacious terraces, the house has beautiful sea and jungle views, and even comes with its own bar – Panama Jack anyone?

Why we like it

We love the artistic, cultural vibe at El Otro Lado. The walls of the resort are dripping with quirky pieces of art and Caribbean inspired furnishings, with Panama’s rich Spanish influences ever-present. The resort offers a variety of trips and excursions, such as a visit to the nearby Embera tribe or a day trip to the breath-taking archipelago of San Blas, one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean, complete with your own butler.