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In-Depth Information
property is a lush garden laced with hammocks. Breakfasts offer generous portions of
fresh fruit, eggs and
tortilla frita.
Guests can borrow a bike or rent kayaks. A private passageway crosses the street to
the beach. Apartments and a pool are in the works. It's adults only and gay friendly.
Royal Decameron Beach Resort & Casino
RESORT $$$
$$$
( 993-2255;
www.decameron.com
;
d 2-night all-inclusive from US$528; )
Panama's
answer to Vegas, Royal Decameron Beach Resort & Casino is a whopper, with 600
rooms and enough pools, bars, clubs and restaurants to count on both hands. Strolling a
gated compound affixed with a bracelet ID may not be your idea of travel. But if you like
buffet food and Latin nightlife, replete with clubs and casinos, you'll be
en tu salsa,
as
they say. Families find plenty to do, including a nightly kids' show.
If you're planning on staying at the Decameron, check out the discounted all-inclusive
packages that are sometimes available if you book in advance. Transportation to and
from Panama City is included.
JW Marriott Golf & Beach Resort
RESORT $$$
$$$
( 908-3333;
www.thebristol.com/buenaventura
;
340 Calle 3ra Buenaventura; d from US$316;
)
Like heaven but even more exclusive, JW Marriott Golf & Beach Resort has
126 luxury rooms and eight villas located around trails, open space and artificial lagoons.
Any whim is yours for the asking, from strawberries and champagne in your room to
beach butler service and couples' massages. Private condos and townhouses sit within
the complex, which has tennis courts, a world-class spa and a Jack Nicklaus golf course.
Five distinct restaurants plot to keep you onsite, with menus designed by an award-
winning Panamanian chef. As with the Decameron, go online to save yourself a few
bucks before arriving.
Pipa's
SEAFOOD $$$
(mains US$9-20; 10am-7pm)
For lunch, check out Pipa's, a thatched beachfront restaur-
ant serving seafood with gourmet touches (think Thai mussels or fresh lobster). One of
the delights of dining here is enjoying a cold beer or tropical cocktail while you look out
on the waves, feet buried in the sand.
The service is friendly and those taking advantage of the beach can shower and rent
thatched beach shelters (US$20) to escape the sun. More infrastructure is in the works.
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