La Romantica

Sea Las Perlas… overpriced and underserviced, it is the perfect example of a 'Panamanian Chiva' on the water. You pay almost $100 to travel 2 hours like a cow on its way to the slaughterhouse. Horrible experience. If you can find alternatives, please, I strongly advise doing so. Overall, Contadora is unjustifiably expensive, and that quality translates to every aspect of the island… accommodation, food, transport. It's all about short-term profit, but not long-term business. Very little customer service; all everyone is thinking about is how to get the very last dollar from you. You should definitely be getting more for what you are paying for… and it’s even more expensive if you are not traveling with a large group. Couples and families of 4, you've been warned! La Romántica seems to be a once family home turned B&B, managed by a landlord and his wife. Heavily hit by the Pandemic (and currently on sale), it’s frozen in time… not in bad shape, but no improvements and no attention to detail. It seems much nicer in photos (USD 100 - 120 per night). Though the bedroom size was comfortable, clean, the air conditioner is really cold, and the breakfast is good, take into account that there is no bathroom and no air conditioning in the lobby… so be ready to endure the 3-hour wait you'll experience once you check out at 11:30 AM and take the ferry at 2:30 PM. Undoubtedly, Mar y Oro is the best hotel and restaurant on the Island (and the most expensive as well). Good food and good service don't come cheap. However, the best budget-friendly recommendation would be to travel with a party of +6, rent a modestly comfy apartment (through the app we all know), bring some food with you from Panama City, and buy whatever small thing you might need at the local supermarket (not much variety, though). The 'mulas' (golf carts) are old and expensive, and if rented in the hotel, you have 24 hours to return them (USD 100). If you are staying for the weekend, no advice is given to better rent them at 2:30 PM the day you arrive, to have it until it's time to catch the ferry the following day. If you want it for some extra hours to get the most of your last day, you'll have to pay almost half of a full day (USD 50). Then again, it's a short-sighted approach to business. Playa Larga is the best beach you'll find, because you have some shelter and a place to buy fresh water and food at a reasonable price. Be sure to get there (and any other beach) early in the morning and late in the afternoon. DO NOT go when the tides are low and during midday; you'll be slow-cooked by the sun and the heat. I can guarantee you won't enjoy it. Casa Tortuga is a nice place if you have (and want) to spend between USD 25-35 per meal. The same applies to Mar y Oro. Nevertheless, the best option would be to cook your meals in your rented apartment and, if you are just too tired or don't feel like it, find local restaurants like 'Restaurante Angelina' and order a meal to go.

Enjoyed our stay very much. Robert was an excellent host and provided a lot of information about the island, helped us rent our golf cart, had the place spotless and did a great job with breakfast. Will definitely return to La Romantica on our next trip to Contadora. Thank you Robert!

There was a group of eight of us stayed here recently and took all four rooms ups the staff were very accommodating the breakfast was really good on the veranda they pick you up from the jetty and take you back again the rooms are very clean the property is about ten minutes walk from the beach the island is only about a three day stay I would say

Beyond the beauty of this small hotel, our host an his staff, Robert and Lawrence, made us feel so welcome. They greeted us at the ferry stop, gave us a quick tour of the island and a welcome drink with the other guests. They were a great resource for where to go and what to do and the breakfast alfresco was delightful. I recommend this place enthusiastically.