Isla Palenque

If you’ve ever fancied losing yourself on a desert island filled with monkeys and colourful jungle birds, while humpback whales cavort offshore, then Isla Palenque is for you. Add gorgeous wild beaches, stylish sustainable hardwood accommodations, crisp linens, spa treatments and delicious cuisine, and you’ll have yourself a secret paradise you won’t want to leave.

You arrive by boat and instantly enter a pristine island sanctuary of 400 acres, with five miles of coast and over a mile and a half of soft volcanic beaches, ranging from a large, zebra-striped crescent beach which faces the setting sun to numerous secluded private and hidden beaches. Stunning views of the ocean stretch in every direction. Inland the island offers an incredibly lush and varied interior. Hike dramatic bluffs in the lush tropical forest, take in the views from gently rolling hills, walk past primordial lagoons on the miles of exploratory trails.

Accommodations range from the chic Estate Rooms and Suites located just steps from the infinity pool and Eden restaurant, and nestled between old-growth trees, to Tented Suites, which provide a superb glamping option. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning ocean views, and you can choose to close the living room off for air-conditioning, or let the walls slide away to embrace the song of the jungle and allow ocean breezes to flow through your room. Warm hardwoods, bamboo floors and crisp white linens bring an effortless elegance to the interior, and cantilevered ceilings allow natural light, filtered by the forest canopy, to stream in. Furniture and artwork crafted by Panamanian artisans and from on-site woods bring local character to these stunning spaces. Outdoor showers and decks cloaked in privacy by forest trees perfect the immersed-in-nature experience.

Activities range from mainland excursions to meet indigenous communities, up to the Boquete highlands to visit a coffee estate, or interacting with howler monkeys at a monkey reserve, while marine activities include kayaking, island hopping, whale watching from August to October, snorkelling and diving, and possibly the world's finest sport fishing. For those less inclined towards adventure, there are heavenly spa treatments to enjoy at the hotel.

After a day out exploring, nothing beats a carefully crafted cocktail at the Eden Bar followed by a delicious meal prepared by the island's innovative chef, taken either in the restaurant or at a private beach dining table.