Guestbook
A great deal of love and care has been put into making your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
We hope the following information will be helpful so that you can make the most out of your stay with us. If you should need anything that has not been provided or any additional information, we will do our best to help, please feel free to check in at the Reception or ask any of our friendly staff members.
Special Tip: to keep open areas bug free, we suggest you use the minimum possible lighting at dusk and dawn. For maximum sleeping comfort we also recommend you close bathroom and bedroom doors during these times.
Reception
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Check out: 12:00 p.m.
Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Telephone +507 832-0530 WhatsApp +507 6249-7626
Wifi network: Eco Venao Password: ecovenao
Water
The water at Eco Venao comes from either a natural spring or deep well (depending on the time of year) and is not chlorinated. We suggest you drink the water from the water coolers provided in your accommodation. Whether you are visiting during the dry or the rainy season please be mindful of your water use.
Services provided
- One of our housekeepers will be coming to your accommodation once a day to make sure that you have everything you need and to sweep and clear common areas.
- Your linen and towels will be changed every three days. Please just ask a housekeeper or at reception if you would like either of these washed and changed more frequently.
- If you should need to do laundry please talk to our housekeeper or check in at the reception, we can arrange that for you. Each load has a cost of $10.
- We provide natural soap bars in the showers. These bars are locally handmade in Playa Venao. They are made with saponified olive and coconut oil, almond milk, rose water and 100% pure essential oils. We opted to offer chemical-free natural soaps to also avoid the consumption of packaged soaps and to support local businesses. If you would like to buy these they are for sale at the Cafe de Acá. For more information www.fabiously.com or Instagram: @fabiouslynatural
- In the showers you will find natural shampoo and conditioner dispensers. These are coconut with lemon and verbena, made locally in Bocas del Toro by Punta Coco. We opted to use these dispensers to avoid using single use plastic bottles.
Inside Eco Venao
Eco Venao is set within a 140-hectare (346 acre) sustainable reforestation project, focusing our efforts on caring for the land as well as our guests. The activities we offer and/or facilitate are listed below:
| Activity | Information |
| Nourish Spa | Located behind the reception, choose between the different types of massages offered by our two therapists Claudia and Alessandra. Please book with one day in advance at reception. |
| Waterfall Trail | The hike to the viewpoint is around 1.5k and it takes approximately 40 minutes – but it’s just 25 minutes to the waterfall. Along the way you will get to know the different species of trees and vegetation and if you are lucky you might see all three different species of monkeys (howlers, capuchins, and spider). Ask at reception for one of our maps, these will be useful to guide you and they also provide information about the tree species that you will find. We recommend using closed shoes. $4 (Free for our guests). |
| Trutle Nursery | The turtle nursery is located on the Eco Venao beach lot (near the Yoga shala). They are a young and ambitious group of environmental stewards dedicated to protecting the endangered olive ridley turtles in Playa Venao. There are several factors that make Playa Venao one of the most challenging beaches in Panama. Despite the odds, the first hatchlings were released on September 21, 2021 with great success: a survival rate of 82%, 254 turtles in 2 days from the first 3 nests relocated. For more info @savetheturtlesvenao. |
| Horseback riding | Get a real feel for the project with a horse riding tour . Please arrange your tour with a day in advance at reception. The tour takes around 1.5 – 2 hours and costs $35 per person with guide included. |
| Permaculture | Visit our permaculture farm and learn about our practices and even harvest some fruits and vegetables. Coordinate at reception. |
| Yoga at ‘La Sala’ Deck | We have a large teak floored deck to practice yoga (or other technique) on our beachfront. It is available to use whenever you want. Just ask for a key at reception. Coordinate at reception for groups or private classes. Join the group classes daily. Ask at reception for the weekly schedule. |
| Surf lessons and board rentals | The Surf Dojo offers surf lessons for all levels, both children and adults. They also rent all kinds of boards. Check with the Surf Dojo located on the beach front @surfdojo |
| Outdoors Jungle Gym | Also at the Surf Dojo, they have an outdoors gym with all you need to train and have a streneuss workout! FREE for our guests!! @surfdojo |
| Beach Volleyball | Just ask for a volleyball at our beach bar, La Barca and have a game on the court located next to ‘La Sala’ |
| Hammocking | Free 😉 Check out the hammocks at the ‘henge’ next to La Barca |
Families and children
We are a family business and we love to receive families. We have designated play area for kids on the beachfront –
Children’s Forest at the Beach
The play area at the beach has natural playground games for your children to enjoy where they will be protected from the sun!
The littlest ones can also have fun at the Pirate Ship that we have in the Children’s area. Ideal to spend a family day at the beach!
At Eco Venao we have a Kidergarten, Casa Oruga, and it is a fully equipped kindergarten. We spent part of the day at Casa Oruga and the rest of the day in the beautiful natural areas around Eco Venao, including the “famous” pirate ship, the beach playground, the permaculture farm and the charming forest trails.
For our guests who are coming on vacation and want their children to join, they are welcome to do so. We make prices per day.
Led by Nilufar Asmaeli, a social worker with over a decade of experience in Waldorf education. Our program is Monday through Friday from 8 am to 2:30 pm, for children ages 18 months to 4 years and includes snack and lunch. Click here for more information.
Around and About
For help setting up any of the visits or tours described below please stop by the reception. Prices and conditions may vary depending on the time of year and the number of persons in a party.
Playa Venao
The famous surf break on Playa Venao is a very popular attraction. From Eco Venao you are 5 minute walk on the sand to the main break, which is considered ideal for beginners and professionals alike. If you’re not into surfing, swimming at either end of the bay is usually less strenuous. Do be aware, as with all open bay beaches, there are sometimes strong rip currents and occasionally stingrays in the water.
Other Surf Breaks
There are other great surf breaks in the area. In the rainy season Playa Lagarto in Pedasí is worth a visit. And if you’re feeling motivated, find transportation out to Guánico and/or Cambutal – an hours drive away, but well worth it once you are there. Keep in mind that the surf spots around Cambutal are for more experienced surfers. Playa Madroño, the next bay towards Tonosí, can also be a fun surf spot if you can find a way in!
Achotines Bay
For those who prefer calm waters to the surfer-friendly waves of Playa Venao, Achotines Bay is a perfect option and only a few kilometres up the road towards Pedasí (follow the signs to La Playita Resort). You can also walk all the way down Playa Venao, across a small river, and over into the Achotines Bay. La Playita Resort charges a fee for access to their installations and the beach however there is a public access beyond the resort. This small bay is protected by a rocky island formation at its seaward entrance that makes it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. This perfect white sandy beach is great for children!
Achotines Tuna Laboratory
This laboratory is one of the few research facilities in the world established specifically for the study of tuna. Guided tours are available and must be booked at least one day in advance. The cost is $5 per person.
Pedasí
This small town whose main claim to fame was being the birth place of Panama’s first female President, is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists and long-term visitors. It is however still small enough to enjoy walking around, and catching glimpses here and there of day-to-day life in a sleepy Panamanian town. There are a few good restaurants worth checking out, and we will happily make suggestions.
Isla Iguana
This idyllic island was declared a nature reserve in 1981, and is a favourite with scientists, biologists, Panamanian and international visitors alike. The island has a surface of 53 hectares (130 acres), and includes two stunning white sand beaches. The surrounding waters are visited every year by two species of whales that migrate from the cold polar waters to warmer waters in the tropics to mate. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving where wildly colored tropical coral fish abound! It is also a very popular bird watching location.
Isla Cañas
This Wildlife Refuge’s main attraction is its 10 kilometre sandy beach where five out of the six Pacific Ocean marine turtle species come to lay their eggs – over thirty thousand turtles arrive each year. The highest concentration of turtles arrives between September and November, but turtles continue to arrive throughout the year. It is the most important nesting site for sea turtles on Panama’s Pacific coast. Island locals have traditionally harvested and sold turtle eggs as a way of earning a living. Recent campaigns have tried to promote tourism as a more turtle-friendly way of earning an income. When planning a visit consider that turtles typically lay their eggs at night.
Hiking and Waterfalls
Within Eco Venao there are several marked trails, one of which leads to a small waterfall. There are other waterfalls in the area. Depending on the time of year we can make suggestions and will be very happy to point you in the right direction.
Sports Fishing
The coastal area of the Azuero Peninsula is becoming an increasingly popular sports fishing location as the sea becomes very deep close to shore. This allows the amateur fisherman to catch BIG fish without much trouble at all. Tuna, sail fish, wahoo and marlin are all out there for the taking.
Festival and Folklore
Many Panamanians consider the Azuero Peninsula the heart of the country’s culture. The festivals that are held in the various towns and villages of Azuero are a wonderful opportunity to taste the traditional food, listen to a great variety of local music, see the traditional dress and dances, and mostly to experience the local pride and fun-loving culture.
Food Glorious Food
Los Naufragos – Eco Venao Restaurant
Enjoy a good meal with locally sourced ingredients up at the Jungle restaurant. Surrounded by trees, you will be able to enjoy your meal and if your lucky you will also see monkeys around!
The Menu
The menu is created by the esteemed chef Jose Olmedo Carles from Fonda Lo Que Hay restaurant in Panama City. The Los Náufragos menu highlights Panamanian flavors using local ingredients.
Get a complementary drink as a guest, get a coupon in reception.
Opening hours: Open from 6pm to 10pm – ask reception for their updated schedule.
Instagram: @labarcavenao
El Café de Acá at the entrance of Eco Venao
At El Café de Acá you can enjoy a great cup of coffee prepared with local artisan coffee beans. Have breakfast in our beautiful outdoor garden and choose from the different options on our menu that include; sourdough toasts with avocado, pesto, egg and tahini sandwiches, natural juices and smoothies, several dessert options and more; all home made. Get 10% off in your breakfast as a guest, get your coupon at reception.
Opening Hours: Open from 7 am to 3 pm – Open every day
Instagram: @elcafedeacavenao
La Barca beach bar at Eco Venao beachfront
The ideal place to for a bite, a drink, cocktail, beer or a refreshing natural juice with your bare feet on the sand! La Barca is an informal Bar located at Eco Venao beachfront.
If your looking to socialise and dance for a bit, this is the perfect place for you! You will also find many places to lounge and hammocks to relax if you prefer. Get a complementary drink as a guest, get a coupon in reception.
Opening hours: open every day 12md to 10 pm
Instagram: @labarcavenao
Homemade Ice Cream & Sorbets at the beach
Opening Hours: Check their instagram
Instagram: @bonjour.helados
Other Restaurants
In Pedasí, there are a number of restaurants serving traditional Panamanian food – as well as a number of well-regarded international restaurants.
The closest restaurants to us in Playa Venao are Coleos, La Humuseria, Terraza Pizza, Gavilan and Taco Flow.
Food shopping
- Venao Supermarket 5 minutes drive in the main town of Venao. Large enough to get all groceries supplies needed.
- Cañas. 15 minutes drive towards Tonosí. There is a small store for general supplies.
- Pedasí. 30 minutes drive towards Las Tablas. There are ‘Chinese owned’ several stores here.
- Las Tablas (1 hour away) has large supermarkets, Super Carnes, Super Xtra y Mr. Precio.
- Chitré (1 1/2 hours away) has several large supermarket chain stores – Super 99, Machetazo, Super Xtra, and Riba Smith (which has the broadest selection of fresh produce).
Useful Information
Communicating with the outside world
- There is FREE Wi-Fi in most social areas as well as in your accommodation.
- There is cellular telephone coverage with Claro and Movistar networks. We also have a telephone line in the reception available to guests for emergencies.
Money
- Eco Venao accepts payments in cash, credit cards (Visa or Mastercard) and national bank transfers.
- In this area you should consider cash is king, and preferably small bills – anything over a $20 bill is usually not accepted!
- The closest ATM machines are in the main town of Venao at the store located in the gas station, Pedasí or Tonosí, at the Banco Nacional o Caja de Ahorros. (Be aware that it is not uncommon for the local ATMs to be out of order.)
Creepy Crawlies
- Some of you may be familiar with the rather bothersome “no-see-ums”, known as chitras. They tend to be most active early in the morning and around sundown. The best way to avoid having them in the house is by keeping doors and windows shut, and putting the fan on high. Whilst outside, the simplest and most effective method of avoiding bites is wearing long sleeves and long trousers. Insect repellents sometimes work. Not scratching is important to help prevent bites from getting infected.
- Mosquitoes are rarely a problem here. In any case, rest assured, the species that live in the area do not carry disease.
- Ants are part of life in the tropics. Making sure surfaces are clean and all food is safely covered and/or put away is a way of keeping them at bay. If, however, you should feel that ants are invading you, please let us know and we will do our best to solve the issue.
- There are a wide variety of insects and bugs that live with us here at Eco Venao, including spiders and the occasional scorpion. Shaking out your clothes before putting them on is always a simple way of avoiding unpleasant surprises. Keep in mind that most of these insects are totally harmless..
Health
- There are good, although small rural hospitals in Tonosí and Pedasí. Both towns are a 30-minute drive from Eco Venao where you will also find well stocked pharmacies. The closest private hospital is in Chitre, although if you are in need of a hospital, but well enough to travel, we recommend going to Panama City.
- Farmacia Andrea (tel: 994-8745) is a well-stocked pharmacy in Las Tablas with English speaking staff, right next to Super Carnes supermarket.
- Stingrays are seasonal visitors to Playa Venao. These beautiful animals are not aggressive, but if you step on one, their defense mechanism can be very painful. One way to avoid stepping on one is by performing what is known as the stingray shuffle, whereby you drag your feet along the sand as you go into the water. If you do step on one, it is important to clean the wound, and then soak it in very hot water until the pain subsides, usually within a couple of hours.
- In the case of an emergency there is a basic First Aid Kit in the reception, as well as a list of emergency telephone numbers.