At Bananas Village Resort

Suites on the reef.

When Mr. Lloyd Smith, a Panamanian financial executive who became a hotelier almost ten years ago, decided to open Bananas Village Resort, he did so applying his "golden rule" an adaptation of the biblical commandment: "Do unto others as you would wish to be done to". In other words, if peace and relaxation was what Mr. Smith wanted after his daily work routine, that was precisely what his guests would get at his Caribbean-style boutique resort.

Mr. Smith’s golden rule worked wonders and his resort has prospered and grown into a five-star, 28-suite complex.

Bananas now also offers a private villa, located only five minutes by boat from the resort, which gives guests the opportunity to experience the highest level of seclusion on this part of the Caribbean. The villa features four rooms with air conditioning, three bath rooms, kitchen, pool, barbecue, and satellite TV.

Excursions from the exclusive resort.

Also new at Bananas are the "Suites on the Reef", which offer, besides the spectacular view, and the experience of living right over the blue water, additional amenities such as mini-bar, home theater, and CD/DVD player.

Bananas Resort is located on the seaward side of Isla Grande, a tiny, but beautiful island several hundred yards off "Costa Arriba", the upper coast of the province of Colón, a region rich in history and adventure sports opportunities. Taking advantage of its unique surroundings, Bananas offers a number of tours each presenting a different point of view of a region once visited by English privateers and Spanish conquistadors.

Boat excursions to nearby islands, and walking trips through the island’s village and summit can be coupled with a wide range of water sports (canoeing, scuba diving, snorkeling) and games (beach volley ball, ping pong, soccer, pool).

The Costa Arriba region is part of Portobelo National Park, which encompasses a number of historical sites dating from the Spanish colonial period, including the town of Portobelo, with its complex of forts and castles once used to defend the town from attacking pirates and corsairs.

Bananas Village Resort offers round-trip transportation from Panama City or Tocumen International Airport, although guests can also get there by rented car via the Trans-Isthmian Highway. At the town of Sabanitas, 66 km. north of Panama City, drivers will need to make a turn to the right. Isla Grande is approximately 50 km. east of that point.

For more information, call: (507) 263-9510