Canadian World Traveller Spring 2019 Issue

64
The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort in Panama
Article and photography by Steve Gillick
Panama’s appeal as a holiday destination
goes far beyond a visit to Panama
City. The five-star Buenaventura Golf
and Beach Resort lies in the Riviera Pacifica
community, near the town of Rio Hato, in
Cocle Province. It’s about a 2 ½ hour drive
from Panama City or 30 minute flight from
Panama’s Tocumen Airport, followed by a 20
minute transfer. This oasis for the senses
offers guests a unique experience that ranges
from the gorgeous beach, to the 18-hole,
Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course; from traditional-to-contemporary
Panamanian cuisine,
to awareness and interaction with
Panama’s rich indigenous heritage.
On arrival at the resort, we were greeted by
Nonoska from the Palapa Bar, with refreshing
and colorful “Cocle Tropical Mojitos”, prepared
by master mixologist Miguel Diaz.
According to Diaz, his themed cocktails are
“not just a recipe, but a reflection of the history
and culture of the area”. Certainly the
green forest leaves covering our glasses fit
right into the décor of the resort lobby where
crafts of some of the country’s seven major
indigenous groups were on display, including
Power Sticks that resembled decorated walking
canes of the Cultura Conga-Caribe people,
beautiful, life-size, Toucan-inspired Birds,
made of palm tree fibre (chunga) by the
Embera-Wounaan people, and walls of
woven chunga basket designs and intricately
carved ‘totuma’ colanders.
Across from the resort entrance, the Mua Mua
Foundation store sells similar arts, sculptures,
masks and crafts, with the staff providing fascinating
insights into the culture of Panama’s
indigenous people.
The actual hotel accommodation is no less
inspiring. My large, comfortably-decorated
room had a king size, four-poster bed along
with a couch and a desk. The balcony overlooked
one of the swimming pools surrounding
by lush gardens, with trees full of Greattailed
Grackles, chirping and whistling at sunrise
and sunset.
Some clients opt to stay on the resort property
for all their needs including the health club,
the long, white, soft-sand beach, and five
swimming pools with semi-private pool-side
enclaves for that ‘far-away-from-the-crowd’
feeling of relaxation. At the Corotu Spa
(named after the eponymous tree that is the
symbol of the resort), the Pixbae fruit treatment
leaves clients with the sensation of vitamins
seeping into their pores and “like the
Corotu tree, you can feel your roots and your
energy”.
Outside the resort but still on the property
there is the Sports Club, offering clinics and
private classes in tennis, basketball, soccer,
volleyball and more. A small zoo-wildlife rescue
centre is a popular family attraction, and
just down the road is the Golf Club where the
Jack Nicklaus course (operated by Troon) has
served as a three-time host of the PGA tour in
Latin America.
Culinary highlights at the Buenaventura
included the fresh-out-of-the water ceviche at
Asa’o & Pesca’o Restaurant, tender grilled
lobster at the El Faro Beach Club, and rum
tasting with Robert Martin of Ron Abuelo
rums, in which he assisted us in appreciating
the hints of orange, vanilla, banana, crème
brulé, leather and tobacco in the five, fine,
dark rums before us.
With ultra-friendly service, luxury accommodation,
a variety of active and passive activities,
and tasty and creative food and cocktails,
the Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort is a
wonderful treat for the senses that perfectly
complements a stay in Panama.
www.thebuenaventurahotel.com
Canadian World Traveller Spring 2019