The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Panama

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Panama

Isla Diablo, Panama Isla Diablo, Panama

Visiting Panama for the first time can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to stay. If you're deciding where to stay for your first visit to Panama, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in Panama based on price, location, amenities, guest ratings, and more to determine which would be the ideal places to stay for first timers. Whether you're here for just a few days or longer, these hotels offer the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price. For those visiting Panama for the first time, it's important to choose a hotel in a safe and convenient area to make the most of your first visit. You'll want to be close to the activities, shopping, and dining options, of course. When looking for hotels, consider the amenities they offer. Some hotels may have a fitness center, a bar or restaurant, a pool, or even a spa. All of these features can add to your overall enjoyment if you've never been to Panama before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting Panama for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in Panama for first-timers offer the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. So, here's our list of suggestions for your next trip.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama Autograph Collection

Farallon, Cocle Province
5-star Resort with prices starting at $168 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at 340 Calle 3ra, Buenaventura, The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama Autograph Collection has great rooms from $168 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. It has a terrific 8.70 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only a short distance from the city center, first time visitors will especially love breakfast, outdoor tennis, rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, and child care at this relaxing hotel. We find the kitchenette here to be a great way to get a good breakfast and save time and money.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Private pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Kids' club


Intercontinental Miramar Panama

Panama City, Panama Province
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $115 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Intercontinental Miramar Panama which has nice rooms starting at $115. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, it also has a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Miramar Plaza, Balboa Avenue. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers parking, outdoor tennis, child care, laundry services, and pet-friendly rooms which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center. The service at the restaurant is terrific, and so is the food.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Airport shuttle
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room


Hotel Palma Royale

Bocas del Toro, Bocas del Toro Province
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $75 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Panama
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Beach

We found Hotel Palma Royale to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $75. We loved that is has room service, a restaurant, scuba diving, snorkeling, and a bar, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 8.50 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at Calle 3, Isla Colon, A lado de Super Gourmet. You'll also find parking, breakfast, mountain views, rooms with kitchens, and laundry facilities which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town. The kitchen in the room is great, because you can cook your own meals to save time and money. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Airport shuttle
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator


Dolphin Bay Hideaway

Bocas del Toro, Bocas del Toro Province
Bed & Breakfast with prices starting at $110 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

With terrific rooms from $110, Dolphin Bay Hideaway, at San Cristobal Island provides an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Its terrific guest rating is 9.90 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, hiking, and rooms with kitchens. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too. Don't miss the pool bar which offers drinks and a fun area to unwind.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator


RIU Plaza Panama

Panama City, Panama Province
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $96 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Panama
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

RIU Plaza Panama has a great guest rating of 8.80 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. The great rooms here start at $96 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at Calle 50 con 53 Este, Marbella. Furthermore, it also offers a bar, parking, laundry services, city views, and a hot tub, which is nice for first time visitors. Just a short drive from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. The pool here was very nice, relaxing, and fun.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Airport shuttle
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Los Mostros Hostel

Panama City, Panama Province
Hostel with prices starting at $13 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

The great guest rating of Los Mostros Hostel is 8.80 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and breakfast. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $13, and it's located at Calle 54 Este, Casa 7. We also love the hiking, laundry services, a free breakfast, city views, and a game room which are great for visitors. And since it's just a quick trip from the center of the town, the location is great, too. The room service is especially nice after a long day. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms


Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa

El Valle De Anton, Cocle Province
4-star Hotel with prices starting at $187 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Panama
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool

A cool place is Los Mandarinos Boutique Hotel & Spa because it has great rooms that start at $187. It has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a bar, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at Calle Del Ciclo El Valle De Anton Cocle. Only a short distance from the city center, travelers will especially love breakfast, hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchenettes, and child care at this convenient hotel. It's always nice having a heated pool to relax in.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Kids' club


Playa Venao Hotel Resort

Pedasi, Los Santos Province
3-star Resort with prices starting at $220 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly

Playa Venao Hotel Resort offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $220 (before taxes). It's located at Playa Venao and has earned a guest rating of 8.60/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers snorkeling, a bar, rooms with kitchens, child care, and laundry services which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just a short drive from the city center.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Infinity pool


Hacienda Los Molinos Boutique Hotel

Boquete, Chiriqui Province
3-star Hotel with prices starting at $117 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

Located at Hacienda Los Molinos, El Frances, Hacienda Los Molinos Boutique Hotel has great rooms from $117 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. It has a terrific 8.60 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find breakfast, outdoor tennis, hiking, mountain views, and rooms with kitchens which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just a quick trip from the center of town.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room


Hilton Panama

Panama City, Panama Province
5-star Hotel with prices starting at $143 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Panama
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Hilton Panama which has nice rooms starting at $143. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a casino, and a restaurant, it also has a great guest rating of 8.40 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Avenida Balboa corner with Aquilino de la Guardia Street. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers a fitness center, a bar, parking, rooms with kitchenettes, and child care. It's located just a short distance from the city center, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room


For more terrific hotel ideas in Panama, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Panama, Best Beach Hotels in Panama, Best Cheap Hotels in Panama, Best Luxury Hotels in Panama, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Panama, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Panama, Best Hotels for One Week in Panama, Best Hotels for One Night in Panama, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Panama, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Panama, or Best Business Hotels in Panama.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Panama?

Panama Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$96

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to Panama. The price of these first time trip hotels can vary according to location, type, and amenities. The average first time trip hotel price in Panama based on data from 106 hotels is an affordable $96. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Panama.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $139
  • 4-star hotels: $105
  • 3-star hotels: $93
  • 2-star hotels: $56


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