Gamboa Rainforest Resort: Border's Paradise

I visited this resort last year about the same time. Enjoyed the trip immensely. Upon arrival this time, looking at views from my balcony, I felt travel stress melt away, so ignored unpacking & headed straight outdoors. Photo of this resort should focus on what is seen from building not other way around. So much beauty! Jungle clad hills, Chargres river, interesting bird species around you, plus trails & other walks to explore. Critters seen within walking distance were capybaras, agoutis, coa [... read more]timundis, capuchin and howler monkeys, and 2-toed & 3-toed sloths. Rooms good, food so-so, nice staff.

Dreams Playa Bonita Panama: Panama vacation

The hotel was in need of an update. The staff were friend and helpful. The gardens were very well kept. Much better than the hotel. The pools were not very clean. The food was very good but a bit tiring after 2 weeks.

Riu Playa Blanca: RIU Playa Blanca

Ocean view Room was clean and spacious. They did not restock Bar fridge with water and beer as often as they claimed. Food was good at the buffet. A little disappointed with breakfast with no bacon, ham or sausage the two days we went. They called hot dogs sausage. Lunch and dinner were good with lots of variety. Pool bar was lots of fun with foam party two days. Grounds were well kept and check in was easy. Resort is 10 minutes from airport

Grand Decameron Panama: DISAPOINTED!

This was my third stay at this hotel. I booked an all inclusive pkg in the past and did the same this time. When I arrived and toured the premises, I was told that areas available to me in the past were no longer available. Supposedly, now I was told that I needed an upgrade to enjoy premises that were included in past visits. When I choose a resort for next year, I will consider going elsewhere.

Riu Playa Blanca: A great vacation location!!

Both myself and my 12yr old daughter LOVED this hotel. Very clean and modern! Looks of amenities for the young and old. Food was comparable if not better than any other location in the Caribbean (we have been to 12 Caribbean locations in the last 8yrs). Staff very friendly and one thing that stood out for me was it didn’t seem to be a money grab, eg. Not nickel and dimes for everything. Staff were not expecting to be tipped. Hair braiding was free. Bartenders worked their asses off!  [... read more]All around great time!

Dreams Playa Bonita Panama: Would not go back

Sadly this will be my first negative review. This resort is maybe a 2 star. We arrived to the longest check in line. Once I got to the front of the line they told me I had to go upstairs. When I got upstairs they told me to go down stairs again. Finally we got check in. We got to our room it was clean but no towels. That would become the norm of our stay. We asked for towels they gave us 3 for 4 people in the room. There were no towels by the pool we would go down at 8 am they would tell us towe [... read more]ls would arrive by 11am. This happened everyday. One day it was windy we were by the shingles blowing off the roof on to us and going in the pool. Services was slow but it was because there was enough staff. The staff that’s was there worked so hard but just couldn’t keep up. The beach is beautiful! There are lots of shell of the beach for the kids to pick up and look at. Sadly we won’t be going to any dreams resorts in the future.

Grand Decameron Panama: Large beautiful Resort!

Beautiful clean and safe beach. Good food no one got sick. Air Transat tried employees tried to help as much as they could but the language difference makes it difficult. Panama is HOT. They have lots of activities, shows, and outdoor movies every day. There are jellyfish in the ocean, my daughter got stung but they were quick to help her.

Riu Playa Blanca: Amazing resort

Very clean, staff very friendly and accomodating! Grounds are spectacular. Food was somewhat bland but a great variety. The beach was nice but disappointed that ppl allowed horses on the beach and left messed.

Riu Playa Blanca: Good Price, Great Weather, not the best Hotel

If you are looking for beautiful weather at a decent price than Riu Playa Blanca is the place for you. My fiancé and I went to Panama Dec 17th - Dec 24 2018. We were very excited as we heard that the riu was 5 years old and was expecting it to be a nice lavish hotel. That did not happen. Our view was excellent once we switched rooms. When it came to the room itself it was the greatest. Our bed seemed old as it made noises, the dresser was old and had 4 draws, you have to keep a room key in the  [... read more]slot in order for the lights and ac to work which I have never seen. The Tv Channels were the best I have seen on a resort HBO Plus we watched a movie everyday however they do repeat. The bathroom was ok the shower was big. However the only give 2 bath towels and I have to use 2 so i called down to get more no one came, so I had to find someone and basically get my own towel that was like 20 minutes which is awful. We called down for an extra pillow and we never got it. There is no lotion, or tissues which was weird. I also saw ants in the sink and around most days which I was not impressed. The entertainment was ok I guess to be fair we only went to 1 full show and skipped out the rest as it wasn't entertaining to us. the disco was ok if you like all latin music. the food was good however the do stretch their oatmeal and juices out by adding water which doesn't make it taste good. we went on two excursions panama canal and the jungle tour both amazing. The beach was horrible. we spent most of the time at the pool. The drinks were decent. The hotel staff speak 2% of English and understand 1% so very difficult.Wifi was good worked on the beach, pool, everywhere at the hotel. I would go back to Panama and stay in the city I wouldn't/t stay at Riu. Don't get me wrong we love the Riu resorts as this was our 4th one however I expected much more. You pay for what you get.

Riu Playa Blanca: Panama Playa Blanca

We were guest here Dec 3-110th/18. Panama is a very beautiful, lush country. The dark sand beach, and sunshine made this a memorable vacation for sure. The food was good, Steakhouse and Italian a la cartel great. The hotel itself is a little dated and in need of a refresher, cracked tiles in the elevator, ice machines not working, and room air conditioners need to get lower than 24! The pools and grounds were well maintained, and bar staff at the pool, (Donny) were fantastic. Travel agents shoul [... read more]d advise travellers of the US fund $15 departure tax per person required at the airport. We had US money with us, but others were scrambling. Sunwing agents in site were excellent and readily available. All in all a great pre-Christmas relaxing vacation!

Grand Decameron Panama: Best Christmas ever!

We went to the Royal Decameron from Dec 19th to the 27th. I have been traveling to Panama regularly for the past 8 years as my aunt and uncle own a villa on the golf course. This year my partner and I decided we would like to stay at the resort over the holidays. It was absolutely amazing. The food was incredible with a great mix of Canadian and Panamanian cousins! Including delicious turkey!! The drinks as always were yummy and cold! The resort was decorated beautifully for the holidays and as  [... read more]always the staff went out of their way to make our stay memorable. They go above and beyond. The rooms, pools and facilities are super clean and always stocked up unlike other resorts I’ve been to. Even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when the staff was away from their families they were happy and doing all they could to give the guests the best Christmas possible. I would recommend this resort to anyone!! Unless your a snobby up tight a$$ that treats the employees like hired help and does not tip for the incredible service they provide... please stay home!

Riu Playa Blanca: Second time to resort!

This was our second time to the Riu Playa Blanca. We have travelled to this property twice. I travelled with my husband and two daughters 10 and 9. We really enjoyed the food and beverages. They had legit ceasars there with rimmer and all! It was a nice Canadian touch! The beach is beautiful, the black sand is so sparkly and you can walk for miles in either direction. The ocean is not turquoise blue as it’s the Pacific but we were able to swim daily. Rooms were standard most ocean view. All s [... read more]taff were super friendly and helpful. The pools were small and could use some extra attention as they were kind of dirty and greasy, hence the reason we spent the majority of time at the beach. Dony R at the swim up bar is amazing!!! Great guy!!!

Riu Playa Blanca: Very good resort, nice beaches , but the water is pacific - not a Caribbean:-)

Superb hotel-from the bottom to the top clean and neat - rooms well maintained, food/variety very good, friendly stuff- from the management to the cleaning, services - one of the best I'd ever experienced (there was no wait for anything).

Riu Playa Blanca: Sunwing Reps were excellent and went out of their way to ensure we had a great time.

The resort grounds and buildings were clean. Expected better decor in the restaurants for a 5 star. Bars and drink service at the buffet restaurant was a challenge to get service unless you spook Spanish. Recommend that one pool is for "adult's only"

Riu Playa Blanca: BEAUTIFUL STAY!

We travelled to Panama from Canada. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this Resort. The staff was very friendly. The hotel is very clean. The food was great. You got an option of an ala carte every night if you liked. Which means you could eat steak every night if you like . We had a tendency at to eat at the buffet always found something to eat. The beach had black sand which was absolutely spectacular never seen anything like it. Wear your beach shoes because its hot!! The room [... read more]s are very modern. It's a non-smoking Resort which I enjoyed. Howevet You can smoke at the beach if you're a smoker. The disco is popping at night if you know how to salsa. The DJ will play a song for you if you request it. Definitely recommend this Resort if you have small children. We had a great time. There is lots of bugs and it very hot so bring bug spray and lots of sun screen! FYI we flew into the airport next door so it was only 5 mins away from the resort! Enjoy!

Riu Playa Blanca: Great Experience

Newer hotel. 10 minutes from the airport. Nice grounds and gardens. Rooms were large and spacious. Food was excellent. Always enough and many varieties. There are 3 pools and you could usually find a chair with shade. The beach was OK. The tide comes and goes so there are usually large waves and undertow. You could always get a spot under a palm tree. Very family oriented. There were many large families with many children. Many Spanish take their vacation there as well. Sometimes you need to b [... read more]e a little aggressive at the bar. Spanish speaking usually got served first. Sunwing reps at the resort are amazing. They were always there to help and did a great job.

Riu Playa Blanca: Amazing Resort

The Hotel is well maintained very clean, especially the washrooms (rooms, lobby and at the beach) All surrounding seems to be spic and span, there's always employees around ensure everything is in order. Food is excellent especially the Bar and grill at the beach...awesome food.Employees are very friendly and very accommodating. Our request to be moved to other room as we have small kids, they ensure that we are happy with the switch. Even though they allow locals in the resort, they are all ver [... read more]y nice people and friendly. Just one thing that we didn't really enjoy was the beach, the water was dark and the sand was black and I fully understand due to the rain forest pushing it in the sea. The Sunwing representatives are also very accommodating and answers all questions we had.

Riu Playa Blanca: Riu Playa Blanca

The building and grounds are well taken care of. The quality of Restaurant Balboa food could be improved. What we missed was a place to cool down other than our room, i.e. no other place was airconditioned other than our room.

Riu Playa Blanca: Nice place

The hotel has alot of amenities it is very clean. the rooms are very clean and spacious with a full size shower and bath tub . the windows in the rooms need to cleaned not just rubbed down they're dirty same as the shower doors 😪 the pool areas are nice with lots of sitting. the beach was not very good it had horse poop all over the place and the beach it self was not nice

Riu Playa Blanca: Very nice

The grounds were very clean and tidy the workers did a great job The beach was not very nice it had horse poop all over it and it was just like a gravel not what we expected. The pool areas were clean and also clean and well maintained as we seen the workers do there duties. The life guards where on there toes as the pool area was busy.an older lady who cleaned the washrooms was fantastic older lady couldn't speak English all in all it was good thank you.