The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, An Autograph Collection Hotel

It was quite a day getting to The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, An Autograph Collection Hotel, but the instant I arrived all the stresses of delayed flights, sprints through the airport, mechanical issues, traffic and rain melted away. It was after 7 p.m. but still muggy, so the cool welcome drink was a refreshing sight. Check-in was easy, with the attendant thoroughly explaining the property and its amenities before sending me on my way to enjoy a warm shower and a change of clothes before dinner.

With so much on offer at Buenaventura, you won’t want to spend much time in your guestroom, but if you do, ample, comfortable accommodations await. Villas are also available.

On-site activities include bike rentals, five oceanfront swimming pools, a fitness trail, paddle board, horseback riding, Buenaventura Zoo, a biking trail, lagoon boat rides, jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, a supervised kids club and a 24-hour fitness center.

The resort also boasts an 18-hole, par-72, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. Golf clinics can be arranged, including in the Cobra Performance Center, and equipment is available to rent. I didn’t have a treatment, but I did stop by Corotu Spa to take a peek at the on-site sanctuary.

For dining at the property, the options seem endless. Criollo serves Panamanian cuisine, and hosted me for breakfast each morning of my stay. Tai Kai Sushi & Martini Bar offers an authentic teppanyaki experience, and Asa’o & Pesca’o is beachfront dining with steaks and seafood. Caña Bar & Tapas features Iberian cuisine in a casual setting. Other bars and casual eateries are available. Of the many dining outlets at Buenaventura, my favorite culinary experience was a beach barbecue at El Faro Beach Club. Among the many dishes served, my favorites were the paella, meats and corn.

Make sure you try some of the expert-crafted cocktails served at Palapa Bar. I sampled a few, including an innovative take on a Manhattan that included a coffee-crusted piece of chocolate and cotton candy.

At the on-site museum I took part in an interactive artisan workshop, crafting a bracelet (which now adorns my wrist and reminds me so vividly of my visit) with a Kuna woman from the indigenous tribe. This local experience brought alive a piece of the culture and added a sense of place to the resort, a unique opportunity I couldn’t have replicated elsewhere.

The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, An Autograph Collection Hotel

340 Calle 3ra
Buenaventura, Rio Hato, Panama
tel 507 908 3333
thebuenaventurahotel.com