Peaceful Simplicity and Comfort...

Are you looking for a relaxing beach vacation rental close to Panama City?

Istmo Bungalows are surrounded by nature and steps away from a secluded beach.  

Istmo Bungalows have some of the most comfortable beds you have ever slept on, low-key luxury for the nature lover who requires comfort.  

Pricing is based on occupancy and length of stay.  

Stay 2 nights and get 10% off,
Stay 3 nights and get 15% off.

We have 4 different units you can choose from based on your needs.  

Great for Solo Travelers, Couples, and Small Families
Great for Solo Travelers, Couples, and Small Families
Great for Solo Travelers, Couples, and Small Families

ONE (1) BUNGALOW AND A KITCHEN

Two (2) Stand-alone bungalows have been converted into a perfect one-bedroom, kitchen home ideal for couples and young families.
Each bungalow has a private patio with hammocks and Wi-fi.
The kitchen/dining bungalow has a fully equipped kitchen, work desk, dining table, outdoor bar area, and a barbecue.
Max Occupancy: 4 people on two beds

Great for Groups of Friends and Bigger Families

TWO (2) BUNGALOWS AND A KITCHEN

Three (3) Stand-alone bungalows have been converted into a perfect two-bedroom, kitchen home ideal for big families and groups of friends.
Each bungalow has a private patio with hammocks and Wi-fi.
The kitchen/dining bungalow has a fully equipped kitchen, work desk, dining table, outdoor bar area, and a barbecue.
Max Occupancy: 8 people on six beds

Great for Groups of Friends and Families

STUDIO WITH A KITCHEN

A spacious and inviting air-conditioned jungle studio apartment with two bunk beds are perfect for families, couples, or a small group of friends.
The studio apartment features a large outdoor dining area, a comfortable sofa, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a fully equipped kitchen with a barbecue, and private bathrooms with hot water showers.  Stay connected with free wireless.
Max Occupancy: 6 people on four beds

Great for Singles, Couples, and Groups
Great for Singles, Couples, and Groups
Great for Singles, Couples, and Groups

BUNGALOW WITH 4 BEDS  - NO KITCHEN

A spacious and inviting air-conditioned bungalow perfect for couples, families, and friends who enjoy eating out and do not need a kitchen.
With two bunk beds, each offering a full bed below and a twin bed on top, the bungalow features balconies with seating and hammocks, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, mini-refrigerators with complimentary drinking water, and private bathrooms with hot water showers.  Stay connected with free wireless.
This unit does NOT include a kitchen.  
Max Occupancy: 6 people on four beds

What our guests say...


Great staff, great location.

Great staff, great location. If you want to have a nice and quiet weekend, this is the place. The owners were very welcome.


Anabell Cornejo Panama

It’s the perfect place to come and unwind from the stress or general bustle of life.

This property is absolutely beautiful! The rooms are individual little bungalows with private porches, high ceilings, fans and AC, refrigerators, upscale bathrooms with hot water, and very comfortable beds. It’s the perfect place to come and unwind from the stress or general bustle of life.


Guest Florida USA

A really great place

A really great place run by a really great family. fantastic communication. Amazing yoga studio. Great beach. ? ??


Adi Israel

SUPER ULTRA CLEAN room!

This place is something else! friendly hosts, walking distance to the beach! Relaxing, great balcony, away from everything! SUPER ULTRA CLEAN room!


Corremartin Corremartin Panama

What else could a person want?

Coffee maker, fridge, private porch with hammock and chairs. Nice bed and air-conditioning. 5 minutes walk to a quiet beach. Beach towels provided. What else could a person want?


Winni van Gessel USA

Great vibe

Super neat place. Nice and clean. You can tell the owners care about the property. Great vibe. Would recommend others to stay.


Lauren USA

The bungalow was so beautiful

The bungalow was so beautiful, really clean and all amenities were fine. Really attention to details with extras like coffee maker, hot water, nice little fridge, and comfortable beds. 5 mins walking from an amazing beach and 5 mins close to El Valle entrance for any supply you need.


Klaus Panama

Istmo is a hidden paradise!

Istmo is a really well-managed retreat. We were grateful to be welcomed by the friendly owner (Sean) who showed us to our accommodation and is eager to help or share advice on what to do in the area. The cabins are clean, well equipped/decorated, and comfortable with a patio and hammock. The location is easy to find and access from the Pan-American road. We enjoyed how peaceful the gardens are and also the close access to a nice beach. We are eager to come back! Thanks for everything ?

We liked everything about Istmo: location, experience, good value for money, the beach, friendly host… etc


Magid Morocco

Very Modern Inside

Although the cabanas looked rustic and seemed to blend into the woodsy surroundings, they were actually very modern inside, with extremely comfortable beds and pillows, a VERY quiet Panasonic air conditioner, a small fridge with cold water provided, and a huge shower with wonderful water pressure!


Susan Blevins Texas USA

When you need time apart, Istmo is the place to come and rest.

I went to Istmo with my husband a few years back and fell in love with the place. This is truly a simple, pristine, informal, healing place. Plenty of time to relax, read, go to the ocean, walk the Spiritual Labyrinth or follow the paths in the forest. When you need time apart, Istmo is the place to come and rest. I brought my best friend here for a “thank you” trip. It was the best present I could give her.


Fabia Tettero-Bueno Brazil

A pleasant surprise!

The bed! We had a very good sleep! The mattress and pillow and the bed linen have very top value. Very low-key luxury!


Bin Pfleghardt Germany

The Space at Istmo Bungalows


Nature

The rooms at ISTMO are an oasis of comfort and tranquility, truly unwind when you enter our stand-alone air-conditioned bungalow that blends seamlessly into the natural backdrop of the jungle surrounding the property.

Our accommodations are designed to support you in a retreat experience without the distractions of televisions.

In the morning, you will be awakened by flocks of parakeets flying overhead and go to sleep to the sound of frogs singing from the creek.

relaxation and meditation

While on our property, you can enjoy our Walking Labyrinth, a Nature Trail, and areas throughout the property for relaxation and meditation. Please, make yourself at home.


All of our furniture, including the beds, is made with local materials by local artisans.

We offer laundry service, daily housekeeping, and massages for an additional charge.

Beach

Who needs a pool when you are an 8-minute walk to a beautiful secluded beach?

Our local beach is a hidden gem of Panama. There is natural shade but no other facilities, so take what you will need for the day.

The sand beach is excellent for swimming and walking. As with all beaches on the Panama Pacific, there is a significant tidal difference between high and low tides. Some days are as calm as a swimming pool, and some days there is a large shore break, and swimming is not recommended (non-swimming days are infrequent).

Our bungalows, open spaces, and secluded beach make us a safe and natural option for your vacation.
Honestly, we think it’s the best place on earth!

We look forward to sharing our piece of paradise with you!

Location and Directions

Istmo is located in Playa Grande, a rural beach community on the Pacific Coast. We are 1 hr 15 minutes from Panama City, 10 minutes from the town of Coronado, and 45 minutes from El Valle.

The main street to Playa Grande off the highway is between kilometer markers 97 and 98 and has an arch over it that says “Playa Grande.”  The entrance to the property is 1.2 Km from the main highway. On the Playa Grande road, stay to the left at the fork in the street; the entrance to our property will be to your left, in-between two small speed bumps on the road.  A sign that says “Istmo” will be on the far fence of the entrance.  Please leave your car in the parking lot at the top of the hill.  Let us know when you are arriving so we can meet you in the parking lot to give you your key.

Your Hosts

Hello,  we are Sean and Ayesha, the owners and hosts at Istmo Bungalows.   

Panama is our adopted country, and we love it and are inspired by it!  

ISTMO is the Spanish word for isthmus, or a small body of land connecting two larger bodies of land. We hope that our vacation rentals will help bridge connections and personal transformation for our guests in this spirit.

We love to travel, and we love nature. We also love making traveling, exploration, and adventure accessible to everyone!

 We are blessed to have found the perfect plot of rainforest beside the ocean where we can build our dreams. We look forward to sharing our piece of paradise with you!