Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the time of writing, the guesthouse was for sale. Check the website for the latest up-
date before just showing up. For now, it's a good source of local information and re-
sponsible tours. Wi-fi may be added.
Hotel Santa Fé
HOTEL $
OFFLINE MAP
(
954-0941;
www.hotelsantafe.com
;
s/d/tr/q US$22/28/33/39, deluxe tr US$42-47;
)
This quiet, motel-style lodging features tidy cement rooms with cable TV and hot
showers. They are centered around a grassy courtyard and shady porch. The restaurant
serves Panamanian food but isn't always open. The owner, Miriam, can impart local
knowledge and put visitors in touch with guides. The main drawback here is that town is
a hard walk uphill.
Hotel Anachoreo
HOTEL $$$
( 6053-4310;
www.anachoreo.com
; s/d/tr/q incl breakfast US$33/44/56/68)
In a brand new
hillside home with panoramas of the countryside, this Dutch-Cambodian enterprise is a
small hotel with ample high-ceiling rooms, some still under construction. Kids under six
stay free. Fragrant flower, herb and vegetable gardens flank the property on all sides. The
mulitlingual owner gives good local tours with a jeep and offers directions for hiking
trails.
Eating
Anachoreo
ASIAN $
( 6911-4848; mains US$7-10; 5-9pm Wed-Sun)
Run out of Hotel Anachoreo, this intim-
ate (read: one table) restaurant ranks among the finest eating this side of Panama City.
The Cambodian owner-chef is a wonderful cook and delightful presence. Don't miss Fish
Amok: wrapped in banana leaves and steamed in ginger and fresh lemongrass. Wow.
Enormous organic salads come from produce grown in the backyard. Reserve ahead!
La Matera
PIZZERIA, CAFE $
OFFLINE MAP
(
6053-4310; Calle Principal; pizza US$9;
5-8:30pm Thu-Fri, 11am-8:30am Sat & Sun;
)
With modern design, this hip Argentine eatery offers exquisite thin-crust pizzas, em-
panadas and wine. Table games keep you busy at the wooden tree-trunk tables. It's all
very cozy and inspired, a great hangout (finally) in Santa Fé. It also sells artisan goods.
