Tucked away in the highland cloud forest, Los Quetzales Lodge & Spa is ideal for those longing to retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern living.
At 7260 feet above sea level (2,200 meters), the reserve has the highest lodging facilities in the country, and lies inside the primary cloud forest of Volcan Baru National Park, which was established in 1976. The Volcan is adjacent to the 407,000 acre Parque Internacional La Amistad, which straddles Costa Rica and Panama. The 400 hectare reserve has been protected by the private efforts of its founders in 1970.
It is our privilege to offer the only eco-vacation resort in Panama or Costa Rica with overnight accommodations inside a national park.
The climate varies from 75 degrees F. during a sunny day to 45 degrees F. on the chilliest winter night. But the one thing about our ambiance, which amazes most visitors, is the absence of biting insects – no mosquitoes, no chiggers, not even a stray no-see-um! Fortunately the area also lacks venomous snake species.
Location
Los Quetzales Ecolodge is located in Guadalupe, 70 km. from David, Panama, one and a half hours by car or taxi and two and a half hours on bus. The hotel is located 450 km. from Panama City, Panama, and a similar distance from San Jose, Costa Rica. From both capitals it is a 7 hour car or bus ride. Or a 50 minute plane ride from Panama City.
On the Interamerican Highway, from David to Guadalupe, be sure to take a right at Concepcion, which is about 22 km. from David. Once in Volcan, take a right towards Cerro Punta.
Los Quetzales Restaurant
Los Quetzales Ecolodge’s restaurant has been designed to ensure that you enjoy your meal while looking out over the mountains, gardens, children’s playground, stable, streams and ponds. You may also choose to be served at the bar and continue mingling with friends or process your emails at the multiple computers there. Attentive and friendly waitresses, fireplaces, classical music, wood paneled walls and original works of art, all add to the congenial atmosphere.
Chefs will cater to your tastes and dietary needs and make the most of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from our organic garden and surrounding agricultural area.
Los Quetzales prides themselves, on fresh, imaginative food prepared with quality and locally sourced ingredients. The salad bar has over 15 fresh ingredients, mostly organically grown. Box lunches, with sandwiches prepared any way you want, with our homemade whole grain or white bread, fresh juices and fruit, are recommended for your hikes in our 400 hectare cloud forest resort within two parks which surround the hotel.
To ensure an early start for your hikes or birding tours, breakfast starts at 6:30 AM. Continental breakfast is served buffet style and includes cut fresh fruit (melon, watermelon, gourmet bananas, papayas, pineapples), fresh orange juice or fresh fruit shakes (passion fruit, guanabanas ‘sour sop’, strawberries, blackberries, etc.), fresh homemade bread, butter, cheese, jam, jellies, granola, varied cereals, soy and regular milk, hot oatmeal, raisins, honey, coffee and tea. American breakfast is also served with such amenities as omelettes, scrambled or fried eggs, pancakes, french toast, etc. Hot chocolate or cappuccinos served anytime throughout the day or night.
Regarding meals for cabin residents, guests may bring their own food and cook themselves in the equipped kitchens, have meals catered and brought to their doorstep, have a cook prepare meals in their own cabin kitchens (at a cost of $35.00 plus the cost of food), or walk (25 minutes) /drive (20 minutes) to the hotel restaurant. We can arrange for a pick-up at your cabin and drive you to the lodge at any time.
If you choose to prepare meals in the your cabin, the hotel can provide food items from the restaurant’s stock, at cost plus 20%. The hotel’s stock includes vegetables, lettuces, fruits, fish, chicken, cold cuts, cheeses, spices, fresh herbs, regular and soy milk, homemade bread and pastries, granolas, cold cereals, wine, beer, juices, etc. We will also be happy to drive you to a nearby supermarket or you may purchase snacks such as granola bars, canned goods, etc., from our store at the reception desk.
Hotel Accommodations
All Los Quetzales accommodations include one free guided tour per day (does not include $20 vehicle fee), a continental breakfast, wireless internet, hot water and access to all of the hotel’s facilities and common areas. Also available is an area with ping pong tables, foosball tables, movies, board games and a library.
Hotel Rooms: the hotel is located within a stone’s throw of the river. All rooms have private baths, with a bathtub and/or shower. Rooms feature a view of the organic gardens and ponds.
Amenities
- Ten rooms
- Private bath
- Matrimonial, double or triple rooms
- Orthopedic mattresses
- Shower or bathtub
- Wireless internet
- Next to the river
- Surrounded by gardens
Suites: are in a separate building with 5 suites that have large wood-paneled rooms, featuring fireplaces, kitchenettes, balconies and a view of gardens, river and ponds.
Amenities
- Fireplace
- Kitchenette
- Balcony or porch
- One or two room suites
- Orthopedic mattresses
- Wireless internet
- Futon sofa beds
- Living room
- Desk
Swiss Style Chalets: let the soothing sounds of the forest and river lull you to sleep. The hotel’s chalets are located within the pristine cloud forest of Friendship International Park. Ideal for bird watching, animal encounters and guided tours. Perfect for privacy, romantic getaways, and family retreats.
Amenities
- One and a half kilometers away
- Transportation provided
- Inside 2 national parks
- Hot water
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Gas lanterns
- Radio communication
- Fireplace
- Wildlife encounters
- Food delivery (prepared or not)
Men’s and Women’s Dorms: ideal for budget-minded travelers who don’t mind hostel-type accommodations. Price per person is $14 which includes a daily guided tour. Enjoy a hearty continental breakfast for an additional $5.
Amenities
- Private bath
- Quiet, clean and safe
- Wood paneled dorm with skylights
- Seven or eight beds
- Wireless internet
- Hot water
- Hammocks
- Small library
- Facing a beautiful rose garden
Family Room: ideal for a large family or group. Price includes two continental breakfasts and guided tours for all occupants.
Amenities
- Two queen size beds
- Four single bunk style beds
- Private bathroom
- Bathtub and shower
- Skylights
- Porch with hammocks
- Rose garden
- Wood paneled walls
- Wireless internet
Photos of the hotel rooms and cabins:
Excursions
Among the excursions listed below, the hotel offers a free daily guided tour for guests at 8:30 AM.
Horseback Riding
or walking tours – Several trails with beautiful sites including waterfalls or nearby towns. Entre Rios, Cerro Punta, Bajo Grande, Las Nubes, Guadalupe, and our cabin area. Experienced riders can venture on their own, or a guide can be provided.
Mountain Bike Rentals - Explore on your own and see some of the local attractions, markets, trails or nearby towns.
Birding Tours - 4×4 tours to several destinations, volcano lakes, Finca Hartmann, archeological sites, Las Nubes (entrance to Friendship International Park), Bajo Grande ( entrance to Volcan Baru National Park) and Bajo Frio. See endemic species such as the Resplendent Quetzal, the Emerald Toucanette, the Fiery-Billed Aracari, the Turquoise Cotinga, Scarlet-Thighed Dacnis, Green Honeycreeper or the Golden-Browed Chlorophonia. Also visit Finca Dracula and our own 400 hectare cabin area located inside two parks.
Agro Tours - Tour the hotel’s vegetable and spice gardens, flower nursery or Finca Dracula Orchid Farm.
Finca Dracula – See the award winning Orchids of Finca Dracula. Over 2,600 species of orchids including 300 species of Dracula Orchids.
Archeological Tour – See pre-colombian artifacts of the Barriles culture. Tour offered in English by Mr. and Mrs. Landau in their beautifully landscaped garden at the foothills of Volcan Baru.
Hiking - Hike various trails including the famous Los Quetzales trail which takes you directly to Boquete. Venture on your own, on horseback or with an experienced guide.
Photos of the tours:
Reserve this hotel or any of the tours: info@panamatravelgroup.com
+507-399-9830 (Panama) | 1-786-539-4731 (USA)
