Hotel
Popa Paradise Beach Resort
Bocas del Toro
Popa
Paradise was conceived and designed to
provide guests 'barefoot luxury' accommodations
with a/c and internet access if requested.
Bocas Islands Panama
Located on the northeastern
tip of Isla Popa in the Bocas Islands
archipelago, surrounded by magnificent
Caribbean waters, deserted shores, and
lush tropical rainforest lies the new
Popa Paradise Beach Resort. Conceived,
designed, and built by Peter Winn over
a three year period, this exquisite location
holds an idyllic calm white sand beach
backed by green rolling hills that gradually
blend into the rainforest. This unique
setting creates an experience of the immense
beauty of the Caribbean coast of Panama
like no other.
POPA PARADISE BEACH RESORT,
in partnership with the EOLU RAINFOREST
SANCTUARY, is helping in the preservation
of primary rainforest in the mountains
of La Amistad, adjacent to the La Fortuna
National Park.
This large section of
rainforest is available to guests at Popa
Paradise Beach Resort to take a unique
journey deep into the spectacular cloud
forests of Panama These day-trips give
our guests a unique opportunity to view
the rich diversity of plants, flowers,
trees and wildlife of the region.
Our Mission Statement
To create, with minimal
disturbance of the natural habitat, a
resort that showcases the awesome natural
beauty of the Bocas Islands, while providing
high quality accommodations set within
a relaxed and friendly ambience that reflects
the local culture.
The Accommodations and
Grounds
Popa Paradise consists
of fifteen cottages, with a clubhouse
of 5,000 square feet, a large resort style
pool with swim-up bar, and a waterfall
feature surrounded by coconut palms and
landscaped gardens. This is all fronted
by a private white sandy beach that is
protected from the ocean swells by two
offshore Coral Reefs. There is also a
large house that will be available in
whole or part for larger groups. Power
is provided by a generator system with
solar backup. Guests can choose from our
four different sized and styled cottages
all offering full bathrooms with hot and
cold water, AC, TV’s with satellite
service, DVD players, internet access,
beautiful custom hardwood furniture, and
large shaded porches for enjoying the
ocean views.
Our grounds consist of
approximately 25 acres of grassy rolling
low hills interspersed with a mixture
of giant mature hardwood trees and various
types of palm trees. This provides a picturesque
blend of shade and ocean views from all
parts of the property. Our main beach
is 1100 feet of golden white sand and
a small tree topped outcrop island at
its northern end. This outcrop can be
reached by a causeway and stairs that
lead to a panoramic view of the surrounding
islands and coastline, including a gazebo
that is lit up at night for the guest’s
enjoyment. Beyond the outcrop island is
a small sandy cove called “Lover’s
Cove” for its beauty and seclusion.
Further along the shore is another small
sandy beach with access to a third long
sandy beach beyond.
Off our shore about 200
yards is a coral reef that is just a few
feet below the surface at low tide. This
barrier creates the calm waters on our
beaches and makes swimming a safe activity
for all our guests. The reef itself is
live coral that provides habitat for dozens
of species of exotic fish and the clear
waters are perfect for snorkeling from
the reef in all directions. Our more adventurous
guest can swim to the reef, take a kayak,
or use one of our small boats for exploration.
At the rear of our property
is the majestic primary rainforest that
blankets the majority of Isla Popa with
its huge hardwood trees towering into
the forest canopy. Our southern border
is defined by a stream that runs into
the ocean and the fresh water acts as
a focus that draws diverse wildlife. There
are an abundant series of pathways and
hiking trails throughout the property
for our guests to enjoy.
The Clubhouse and Pool
The centerpiece of the
resort is our 5000 square feet clubhouse.
With it’s red tile roof and high
ceilings, plastered walls, and dark native
hardwoods it is a perfect blend of modern
convenience and traditional Panamanian
style architecture. The building houses
our comfortable reception area, activities
desk, gift store, library, and internet
room. We also have a separate attached
mediation, yoga, and fitness room that
opens to a beautiful view across a grassy
valley to the forest beyond. In addition
there is a beautiful modern kitchen and
dining area, plus a bar. The great room
in the center of the building has a relaxed
airy atmosphere with comfy chairs and
couches with a decor that features native
artifacts and pottery. We also have a
large 56 inch flat screen HDTV. The clubhouse
has cool tile floors and large folding
hardwood and glass doors custom made locally
that open during the day to allow the
cool ocean breezes to flow through the
building. There are large, wide covered
porches with more relaxing furniture that
extend all along the front which provides
a great shaded viewpoint of the pool and
ocean. A series of pathways lead through
the lawns to the large pool and separate
kid’s splash pool that have been
lovingly designed and constructed by Kelly
and Amy Johnson, the owners of the famous
Maui pool building company Pono Pools.
The pool features a 100% mirror edge with
swim up bar, shaded palapa and a waterfall
feature to laze under. Surrounded by mature
coconut palms, the half circle design
faces out to the ocean and allows you
to swim to the edge and look out to the
blue Caribe water beyond. At night the
pool is lit with fiber optics from within
and above to create a magical setting
for late evening socializing. At dinnertime
our chef often can be found grilling fresh
fish caught by our guests on the barbeque
poolside and serving it to all.
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