Selva Terra
Island Resort

As a first time retreat leader, Selva Terra blew me away and has really made it challenging for any resort to follow after them. From the planning to the send off at the end of the retreat, Samantha and every single staff member (including their dogs) made the experience welcoming and magical. The food was out of this world! I cannot think of one suggestion for improvement. The amenities offered (sarong beech towels, water bottles to carry around and take home, etc) make it a luxury resort but the intimate, natural setting keep it down to earth and comfortable. Even when the thing that is out of their control happens - the weather, they gave us options for rearranging plans, etc. It is clear that Selva Terra's goal is a wonderful experience for all of their hosts and guests. I only hope that when we are ready to rebook (because this place is too special not to return), that the secret will not have gotten out so much, that they are fully booked!

Great short stay at Terra Selva Selva Terra is a beautiful boutique resort with lovely casitas, a special location and very friendly service. Two things in particular stand out for me. The scuba diving was awesome. Mikael is a fantastic dive master. We did two private dive trips and they were some of the best diving we have done anywhere - and there were no other dive boats in sight. Second, we loved hanging at the bar with (big-but getting smaller) Carlos. In addition to be a very friendly and interesting guy, he is a master bartender who relishes making special cocktails based on each guest’s flavor profile. So much fun! Overall - a big thumbs up!

Selva Terra is the best place in Panama We spent an unforgettable week at Selva Terra Resort in March, and we still fondly remember our trip. Huge thanks to the entire team for their exceptional organization and heartfelt hospitality — everything was perfect from the very beginning. The hotel arranged our transfer, which was incredibly helpful, as it would have been quite difficult to manage on our own. Selva Terra Resort is truly a unique place. The island itself is like a fairytale: a charming, well-kept territory with perfectly positioned bungalows, each offering its own stunning view of the ocean. Watching the sunrise or sunset from your own terrace, with the water right in front of you — it’s an experience that’s hard to come by. The bungalows are equipped with everything you need, including an excellent hairdryer — far better than the typical hotel ones, which was a lovely surprise. From the moment we arrived, we felt surrounded by warmth and care. The staff were genuinely kind and attentive. Special thanks to Jens, a true professional and nature enthusiast, who guided us through the jungle, showed us monkeys and birds, and shared many fascinating facts — it was truly engaging. The food deserves a special mention: the quality of the ingredients was outstanding, and the flavor combinations and presentation were equally impressive. Every meal was a delight — thank you to all the chefs for this unforgettable culinary experience! And then there was the bar, which completely exceeded our expectations. When traveling, you rarely anticipate anything remarkable when it comes to cocktails, but here, it was different. Carlos, the bartender — a passionate professional with experience in London bars — amazed us with every drink he made. It felt incredible to be on a secluded island, surrounded by nature, sipping on cocktails that could easily rival those served in the world’s top city bars. All in all, this was a fantastic experience for us. We’re absolutely thrilled and would love to return one day without a doubt.

A+ service/food/fishing and scuba diving We brought our adult children for a week of relaxation, scuba diving, and fishing. From the time our plane landed in Panama City, the service we received was A+. They were able to schedule a day of bird watching/ziplining which were amazing. The 2 days we spent fishing were spent catching HUGE black and blue marlins as well as sailfish. The guides could not have worked harder. Saw a ton of white tipped reef sharks and some huge rays, also the expected tropical fish and eels. Food was lights out, nothing like fresh tuna steaks! And the staff went above and beyond to make our stay memorable with amazing massages, cold drinks and an amazingly clean room.

Paradise and Precious Memories! We had a private retreat it was truly amazing and the staff and owners are soooo attentive to all your needs! The view are exquisite and the BEDs!!!!! Perfect! I slept soooo well! Thanks to Samatha!!! The most amazing property owner! She is talented and her energy is so soothing! Her morning Yoga classes were the perfect way to start the day! Shout out to the non stop crew of Jens, Carlos and Gladiz!!!! And their team members. Woot Woot truly you all know how to take care of your guests. Thanks for great memories and for making our trip so special!

Selva Terra Resort could not be more perfect. My week at the resort consisted of pottery, yoga, hiking, paddle boarding, island hopping and, every day, delicious food! Each casita is perfectly designed for comfort and beauty and the team who provided services could not be better. They came to know our unique desires and were always quietly and unobtrusively available for help. It was just perfect. I only wish I had planned to stay longer than a week. Thank you to all who have created such a wonderful place to rest and rejuvenate.

Lux Adventure Our family of did 8 days here over Christmas break 2024 to dive and fish. Everything about this place is exceptional. The wildlife is amazing. We dove 5 days and never saw another dive boat - just tons and tons of big creatures - turtles, sharks, dolphins and huge jacks and snappers. Michael and Samantha were amazing guides. Fishing here lives up to its reputation - Kidd and Kevin put us on topwater tuna and a monster marlin. Non-stop action the two days we fished. The food and service is top notch. Carlos is a maestro at the bar and a great front-of-house and the chefs do a great job. You get the feeling here that the team is really focused on a great experience. We will go back ASAP.

The best resort in Panama This place is absolutely incredible! The yoga in the morning is the best i've ever experienced, and the adventure trips are so much fun! Especially the howler monkey hike and surfing. Every single guide is so skilled and impressive. The food is unbelievably good and their ability to remember and how much they care about providing you with a wonderful meal in line with any food sensitivities/allergies carefully noted to avoid; the staff truly cares so much, it makes you feel incredibly special. Carlos especially was fantastic to chat with and be around. His drinks were incredible and he gave the most fantastic recommendations for the rest of our travels in Panama city. The care and kindness you will experience here is unmatched.

Terra Selva is a luxurious escape from the demands of daily life. Nestled in three trees of a remote island, the friendly staff have thought of every detail to make your stay pleasurable. Yaneth, Carlos and Janes were amazing hosts in the delicious restaurant/bar. The food was fabulous with lots of options to accommodate individual palates and preferences. The rooms were private, super clean and well-maintained. Daily housekeeping tended to every need and more. We used the yoga shala for dance classes many hours a day! I appreciated the electric ceiling fans and mosquito nets, especially in the evening hours. Samantha, oversees every detail for guests and has left nothing to chance. Her travel experience, intelligence and genuine care for Selva Terra shine in all that she does. She even took time away from her busy schedule on the property to share the Sand Dollar surf break with me — one of my favorite experiences while staying at Terra Selva. I hope to come back again next year — if there is availability at this precious gem! 💎

I had the pleasure of staying at Selva Terra in July as my uncle celebrated his 40th birthday there. I was really looking forward to this trip as I’d never been to Central America before, and it was long awaited. Everyone in our group were friends and family and we flew in from all over the world. Me and my husband flew in from London (12 hours flight) and decided to stay overnight in Panama City. The resort took care of all the logistics even in the capital. When we got off the plane, we were greeted by a lovely lady who took us through customs and brought us to our driver. We spent the night in the Sofitel and the next morning did some souvenir shopping and checked out the Panama Canal. Then we took the domestic flight to David to head to the island. I 100% recommend asking them for assistance in Panama City, it removes the logistical headache from travelling or feeling lost when you arrive, which is worse when you’ve travelled so far.|When we arrived in David, the journey to the resort took around 1 hour which went by really fast as the boat ride to the island is just stunning. Once we arrived, we had our welcome drink, checked in, and were given a briefing on the tours during our stay. Everything was really organised, you can tell they specialise in group bookings. We did the monkey hike, surfed and kayaked near the mangroves and did an island hopping day too. On our rest day, we had a barbeque on their beach, played volleyball and swam.. you have the whole beach to yourself. This part of the world is truly magical, the resort is private and exclusive, there are plenty of activities, the area is not touristy and you really feel like you are in paradise. I would return in a heartbeat.

Spending a week at Selva Terra was nothing short of paradise. This was the perfect place to fully unplug, the views and scenery were incredible, freshest, most delicious food, but the staff truly made this resort as special as it is. The hospitality was incredible, and I felt very well taken care of and accommodated for throughout my stay - huge thanks to the resort’s owners and Selva Terra Staff for sharing this slice of heaven on Isla Boca Brava!

Wow. What can I say about this place! My first time in Panama but it truly felt like I was visiting family. The staff, food, location and activities are some of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. Sam, Junior, Michael, Edwin and Yaneth made my group feel like this was our second home. I love you Selva Terra!!!

Fabulous island resort. Outstanding sport fishing,private boats with captain and mate. Their aim is to get you to the fish! Eat what you catch.Great island excursions, horseback riding, snorkeling ( not included)Unparalleled tropical scenery.Resort limited to 30 people .

The fishing was off the charts. The island resort is amazing. We got to the Island late on Friday night as our plane in from Panama City was delayed. Our bus driver was there waiting for us and he loaded us up and we ended up having to go a different route due to it being dark. There are a lot of floating logs in the channel so we drove to Boca Chica and went for a short boat ride to the island. We were met by Aneth when we arrived. The resort, staff, food, libations, etc… were off the charts. The fishing was awesome. They put us on the bite 3 days in a row. I highly recommend Selva Terra. We are going back in February 2025 and have added an extra night in Panama City.

Island Paradise What an incredible place! My friend, and I spent 5 relaxing days in this paradise. The staff were so attentive and helpful, especially Edwin, Gladys & Michael, and the resort is gorgeous! we do not fish, so most of the staff and owner seem to think we would be bored. But we love to sit at the beach or the pool and read- this is how we relax! We also did a snorkeling trip, massages, and a sunset cruise, and they were all delightful! The rooms were clean and beautiful, the service was exceptional, and this place is breathtaking!

My husband and I had the most incredible stay at Cala Mia Resort. The staff was amazing, anticipating every thing we could possible need or want. The rooms, events, meals and atmosphere was beyond our expectations. All the events that was lined up for us was extraordinary. We definitely will be going back next year.

My partner and I had an incredible experience at Selva Terra Resort. The entire team provided amazing service throughout our stay. The cuisine was exquisite, and it's clear they put in hard work to achieve excellent results. We particularly enjoyed the addition of pumpkin cake to the menu—it was a delightful surprise per request in the moment! The amenities were pure luxury, with a private beach, swimming pool, and personalized excursions. Samantha and David were exceptionally helpful, and we wish them both all the success in their future endeavors. Highly recommend! BUT I'm secretly hoping they'll add a chocolate fountain next time!"

Private Island-Private Paradise My partner and I had an incredible experience at Selva Terra Resort. The entire team provided amazing service throughout our stay. The cuisine was exquisite, and it's clear they put in hard work to achieve excellent results. We particularly enjoyed the addition of pumpkin cake to the menu—it was a delightful surprise per request in the moment! The amenities were pure luxury, with a private beach, swimming pool, and personalized excursions. Samantha and David were exceptionally helpful, and we wish them both all the success in their future endeavors. Highly recommend! BUT I'm secretly hoping they'll add a chocolate fountain next time!"

This was our second family vacation to Cala Mia now rebranding as Selva Terra.We all can’t say enough amazing things about all the staff and the resort. As I told them, they are such “ yes” people, making all our requests possible.We fished three full days and caught five or six different types of fish. Enough to feed the resort, lol.We went horseback riding, two great hikes where we saw howler monkeys, exotic fauna, and beautiful butterflies. We loved the snorkeling and all the variety of fish and coral and even an moray eel.All 5 of us got the best massage by Gladys with the ocean breeze blowing in the open air spa area.The food is phenomenal from breakfast to dessert and everything in between. Incredible fresh fish options, fresh fruit and smoothies and of course the best drinks!We can’t wait to come back!

From the second we arrived in Panama, all accommodations arranged by Yaneth have been spot on. Everyone we encountered has been courteous and timely. The island is beautiful, the rooms comfortable, the food and service were both amazing. We enjoyed our time there and will recommend it to others.Enjoy yoga, kayaking, beach, fishing or pool. It was all great! The island dogs were very friendly!

Amazing Vacation in Cala Mia A+ experience from start to end. We were pampered from the moment we stepped off the plane in Panama City. Get the VIP package, it is truly worth it! Logistics: what can I say, everything ran perfectly to the second. From going through customs like a diplomat, being whisked to the your urban hotel and tour next day, travel to and from Cala Mia, every step they were waiting on us with smiling faces. Fishing: Most epic day of fishing I’ve had, not in shear numbers, but the hunt and type of fish. One day, we brought in a sailfish, followed by a Marlin that took 40 min to come to boat side, then a couple of jack fish while inshore fishing. You know the scenery with deep water ( although there was an island to break up the landscape!), but inshore fishing in the Seca Islands is not to be missed, just for the scenery, even if you aren’t catching any fish. Fortunately, we were able to land two beautiful jacks. Captain and Mate know what they are doing and will work TIRELESSLY to get you on a fish. When we caught our first fish, I thought they were more excited than we were. I think you can take some fish back home, our fish were all catch and release. Accom: Clean, comfortable, air conditioned, large for two, beautiful water facing patio. Not Four Seasons type luxury, but luxurious enough! Food: simply Amazing. Every meal we had was well presented and absolutely delicious. You order lunch for the next day for your fishing trip, and it is very well throughout and delicious. Not just a sandwich and chips. For dinner you get a three course meal every night, with two choices for each course. We got one of each to try everything, and I am not BSing when I say everything we had was SUPERB. Plus there are snacks after you get off the boat at 5 or so PM. One day they had ceviche, and it was pretty much the best ceviche. Also, we had some type of seafood carpaccio, fancy. Trust me, the food is out of this world! Very heavy seafood lean. Grounds: beautifully kept and maintained. There are four resident dogs that roam the ground freely which was great because we were missing our dogs. Paddle boards, massage on an island, ping pong, surfing, hiking…I was wishing i had a few more days on the resort (and fishing of course). We went on an hour hike and saw Monkeys smartly resting in the trees in mid day (unlike us who decided to hike during middle of the Panamanian day). Lizards and iguanas on the resort, many tropical birds. Not many mosquitoes. People: Super friendly, our fishing captain Fred and first mate Michael were top notch. I would fish with them again in a heartbeat! Yaneth and Gladys are some of the friendliest folks around. Our guide who took us hiking (in midday) brought water for us to drink in a cooler! All in all an amazing experience and would definitely come back.

Cala Mia is paradise, pleasure, and happiness. David and his team (Gladis, Yaneth, Gube, Tati, Mykal, and more) are the most attentive, caring, and fun team. They made sure that our group of 4 had everything we needed for a great stay from meticulous meals, massages, tours of the island, and just great people to chat with.The fishing also delivered. We were able to catch one blue marlin, two black marlin, dozens of snappers, rainbow runner, etc. Tati is a world-class captain, Gube is easily the best deck hand / first mate I’ve ever sailed with, and the boat is all around comfortable. If you want the best offshore fishing in the world, come to Cala Mia!We will miss the Cala Mia Resort and team. We cannot wait to return!

Simply Phenomenal experience. Unfortunately, the Marlin bite wasn't on for us, but the entire staff including ownership and management went out of their way to ensure our little group was attended to. The food was great, resort itself fantastic, service second to none, boatsfishing equipment is well taken care of and the captains spare no expenseeffort to get on the fish. An to kick it all over top, the staff made a birthday cake for me after finding out I was there to celebrate with customized decorations. We'll be back.

Simply Phenomenal experience. Unfortunately, the Marlin bite wasn't on for us, but the entire staff including ownership and management went out of their way to ensure our little group was attended to. The food was great, resort itself fantastic, service second to none, boatsfishing equipment is well taken care of and the captains spare no expenseeffort to get on the fish. An to kick it all over top, the staff made a birthday cake for me after finding out I was there to celebrate with customized decorations. We'll be back.

Must stay Hands down the best holiday I've ever had. The best customer service from caring, attentive staff. The actual best food I've ever had and I like good, healthy meals and nice dining establishments...these cooks are the real MVPs. Extremely clean, beautiful rooms, comfy beds. The beach is private and you hear monkeys as you swim.. not one bad thing to say. From start to finish this resort did not skip a beat. David the owner also was always on site engaging with staff & visitors. I left Cala Mia not feeling ready to leave and I'm already trying to plan when we can return. Thank you for an unforgettable vacation Cala Mia team! Kristen & Craig 🇨🇦

Phenomenal vacation Simply Phenomenal experience. Unfortunately, the Marlin bite wasn't on for us, but the entire staff including ownership and management went out of their way to ensure our little group was attended to. The food was great, resort itself fantastic, service second to none, boatsfishing equipment is well taken care of and the captains spare no expenseeffort to get on the fish. An to kick it all over top, the staff made a birthday cake for me after finding out I was there to celebrate with customized decorations. We'll be back.

From the second we arrived until the moment we had to leave, we were taken to paradise! The resort is breathing. The people made it even more special. Michael is the MAN! And the owners were so gracious! World class food imo, 4 of us loved every meal! Fishing was excellent, an amazing time on the Pacific we won’t soon forget! Chumbo, Michael, Fred & Kevin from PNC will get you on the fish! Hope to return again one day 🙂 Thank you for having us

My wife and I enjoyed our stay, very nice. The horse riding was good. Overdue review from a little while back. Thanks.

Amazing Vacation Never thought I would ever stay on a private island but an opportunity to go with 21 others came up this past April. We traveled from Pittsburgh to Atlanta to Panama City. There is a short plane ride from Panama City to David, then an hour drive to a boat ramp. The boat ride is about 20 minutes, then you are in paradise. David and his team made sure our week was perfect from the casitas to the dining room to the fishing and the pool. I took advantage of scuba diving on the first day. The water was a little murky but Fred and Team made sure we had a good day. I fished the next 3 days. Because of the time of year, there was a 1-1/2 hour boat ride out to where the yellowfin tuna were biting. Our boat didn't do so well the first day but by the second and third, we caught yellowfin and yellow tail snapper. Other boats in our party caught huge red snapper, mahi mahi, wahoo and more tuna. My nephews caught a sailfish and marlin but being out of season, they were returned to the ocean. The boat crew with Fred worked hard to ensure our days were fun. I highly recommend motion sickness remedies if you are not used to being out in the water all day.We caught plenty of fish for everyone to bring back some to the states (we took our own Yeti's). Those that didn't fish had a wonderful time hiking to the howling monkeys, snorkeling, spa services, horseback riding or lounging in the pool. The food was pretty good and the drinks were fantastic. The employees really wanted us to have a great time and made sure every detail was taken care of.Highly recommend bug spray, hat for the sun, sunscreen.

Excelente lugar para compartir con amigos y familiares

Simply Amazing Cala Mia ticks all the boxes for a great holiday location , there's something for everyone whether it's scuba diving , inshore fishing , or offshore fishing or just relaxing by the pool you wont get bored. The food on offer is the best. so would i recommend Cala Mia for a holiday I most definitely would, David and his team go above and beyond to make your stay one to remember

Beautiful location, wonderful accommodations! We loved our stay at Cala Mia! The location is remote and absolutely stunning, right on the water. I loved swimming at the private beach and the pool everyday, as well as doing activities such as scuba diving and fishing. The food was incredible -- so fresh and delicious. Thank you to David, Gladiz, Michael, Fred, and everyone for making it such a special experience. We would love to return one day!

A wonderful place! Fabulous resort and even more fabulous staff! Delicious meals, lovely setting and wonderful people. Highly recommend it, especially for fishermen and divers! The pool and beaches are excellent and the individual “casitas” are perfectly appointed, very comfortable, and afford great views to the sea beyond.

Paradise! Very nice resort! Accommodations, facilities and staff was awesome! Food was out of this world, best I ever had anywhere.Fishing was kind of slow, but we managed to catch 6 nice Tuna, 4 Rooster fish and some big Snappers.We had some problems getting bait one day, other than that everything was perfect!

Great vacation! Calamia Resort was a great place to stay. The accommodations were spacious with great ocean views, beds were comfortable and the AC was cold! The staff was friendly, attentive and always available to answer questions or guide us. Everything was scheduled for us so it was a very stress free vacation. Will definitely be back!

Great resort with great fishing. Second trip in two years with my two sons for a fishing trip. This place is everything it is billed to be. Fantastic accommodations in private villas with decks overlooking the ocean. Outstanding food and all inclusive beverages. Chefs prepared lunch and beverages for each days fishing. Fishing boats and equipment top of the line as are the english speaking captains and mates. Would not go anywhere else for future fishing in Panama. Left Orland, FL 11:30 am and was on the Island by 6:00 pm with all transfers arranged by resort.

Panama Gem! We loved our stay at Cala Mia. David, Alex, Gladys, the amazing chefs and staff go beyond to make Cala Mia feel like a home away from home. We had a blast snorkeling, fishing & hiking — but, equally enjoyed ourselves lounging / playing at the pool & beach. Everywhere you look the views are spectacular! Small, secluded spots are definitely more of our jam, so we really appreciated that. Thank you for an amazing experience!

Amazing Accomodations! Wonderful staff and food!! Can’t say enough about it…we will be back

Amazing Place and People My husband and I along with 4 other family members just finished our trip to Cala Mia this month (March 2022). We felt welcome from the time we arrived at the David airport, to the short boat ride to the resort, to meeting Gladys at the dock. Her warm welcoming smile just set the tone for an amazing trip. We arrived mid morning and David (owner) was also waiting for us to get us a late breakfast/drink. Michael and the team that dove us in the boat were amazing also. They took our bags to the room for us.

We relaxed on the beach and also did paddle boarding and kayaking to hiking the travel to see the howler monkeys (which do sound like King Kong in the morning and afternoon for such small animals - you can hear them up to 3 miles away).

Freddy and Boca did an amazing job when my husband, dad, and uncle when fishing. My husband caught and Mahi-Mahi and Adam (chef) cooked it for dinner that night and even asked how they wanted it cooked.

We did the massages (no music necessary - because the sounds of the ocean and the birds is just amazing).

We also did a tour of the coffee plantation which was absolutely beautiful and have a new found appreciation for coffee now and what we have in the states. Snorkeling with Michael was so much fun and he did great for it being my first time too

The food was AMAZING!!!! Fresh baked bread and amazing fresh seafood. Gladys would come to see us every afternoon prior to dinner and let us know what the menu was that nigh and schedule our time.

This was a vacation that I felt did not fly by but we were able to enjoy the beauty of the area and relax all at the same time.

Would come back and would tell others about Cala Mia and Panama Nautical Club.

A place you can unwind and enjoy. If you like excellent service, friendly people, security, and five star food fresh from the ocean this is the place. Every detail to your stay is taken care of by the owner (David), and staff. They will pick you up at the airport in the city of David in a new very large van, take you where you will have short boat ride to the island and have the staff and owner take you to you to your outstanding and very beautiful accommodations. You can just relax, enjoy off-shore or in-shore fishing that is famous for Panama, see beautiful sun rise when eating breakfast or sunset when having dinner prepared ay an outstanding chef. There are all kinds of other activates you can enjoy, Great beach it swim, paddleboard or kayak .

Paradise This place is amazing - from the minute we stepped off the boat the service was 5 Star. The food was incredible - the chef was attentive to our individual tastes and preferences. The fishing and snorkeling was the best we’ve experienced- the guides were knowledgeable and put us in fish every day! We can’t wait to go back!! Thank you David for a first class experience.

Outstanding food, all meals were great, service was excellent, mahi-mahi, lobster, tuna, corbina. Rooms were extremely nice, good AC, showers are beautiful, total class in everything.

Go there soon! I almost never leave reviews, but Cala Maria Island Resort/Panama Nautical Club and its staff were so outstanding, in every regard, that they deserve one. From arrival in Panama City to departure from same, and all events in between, this is a truly first class act. The lodging was spectacular, modern and immaculate, the food better than that in almost all high end restaurants, and the staff (both on shore and fishing boat crews) were friendly, helpful and knew their stuff. I spent 4 of the 5 days at the lodge fishing, my girlfriend spent the time on short reading, bird watching, doing yoga, getting massages, and kayaking. It worked great for both of us, and we can't wait to go back. Carl B

Fishing with lifetime friends The accommodations were great. The staff were very friendly and went the extra mile to make our stay more than what we bargained for. All of the details were taken care of from travel advice, land transportation from the airport to the boat ride to the island. No stone was left unturned. Great trip with good friends. We highly recommend Cala Mia!

Fantastic resort, with excellent fishing, food, accommodation, and hospitality, best I've been to.

Рай на суше и в воде!

Louisiana Friends vacation in Paradise Our adventure begins as we de-plane in Panama City, a gentleman holding up a sign with our last name, whisks us through customs and immigration, a VIP service that was included and setup by the resort, which allowed us to make our next connection, David Airport. Again, we de-plane and are greeted by a gentleman holding up a sign with our name. A young Slovene transplant of 6 years that is very knowledgeable about the entire country and anxious to share with us, who would also drive us to many excursions throughout our stay. Bags are retrieved and shortly we are loaded in a van stocked with water and cerveza, traveling through the small town of Hornicitos, then Boga Chica, a small fishing village that ends at the water’s edge, where our journey begins. We are loaded onto a small center console boat with ample seating surrounded by a clear curtain in the event of water spray. The 10 minute water taxi ride is a unique experience as we round areas of land with houses atop volcanic hills and islands sprinkled in the distance. As we approach our destination, we see small lights flickering through the trees and the outline of thatched roof casitas and bungalows appear. Our feet hit the gangway and a beautiful young woman greets us with cool and fragrant washcloths. The owner greets us shortly thereafter and leads us to the dining room where we experience our first of every fantastic 5-star meal, prepared by the chefs and kitchen staff. Our taste buds are aroused and the presentation like those in a magazine. We will soon become friends with Gladiz, who wears many titles, and performs them all superbly!!! She is on top of her game and offers soothing massages and makes sure everything at the resort is running smoothly! We are shown to our oceanfront rooms, with jungles and other islands spotted off in the distance, and the sounds of waves crashing, just feet away from our bedrooms. Howler monkeys are in concert morning and evening, reminding us of the mutual respect when we come together to share in their island paradise. The comfort and care we receive for the next 7 nights is unlike any experience. Even the resident dogs offer welcomed companionship on our walks. The owner and staff are accessible to meet every need from activities on the island to excursions on the mainland and at sea. I am normally a “Been there, Done that” type of person but we all agreed we’d be back soon!!! We all departed in sadness because our 7-day vacation had ended too quickly! We highly recommend this trip and give it the maximum rating of satisfaction!!!

Perfect vacation Very nice place and views
Impressive food because very good cook
Gladys was not only beautiful but was all time trying to have us happy
Good diving, Maikel and Federico are very good professionals and know the best spots
not luck with fishing

Amazing resort for our family trip This is a gorgeous resort; very small, accessible only by boat. The level of service is fabulous. With COVID and travel restrictions, it was more complicated, but David and his crew were in contact with us before the trip with updates. When a flight was delayed by a winter storm, they stepped in to get our flights rescheduled and got us into a private lounge at the airport to change and eat. They arranged a Panama City tour while awaiting the flight to David.
At the resort, Gladis and Alex and Maik and Janice and Adan and Manuel were great. They watched for preferences and always had a smile. We saw amazing flora and fauna. The food was delicious every meal, and so beautifully presented.
We had a trip out snorkeling and saw good Pacific variety. We were very lucky to see whale sharks up close, and Maik let us hop in to swim with the giants.

Bucket list trip! When traveling internationally, we always anticipate some bumps in the road. This trip, however, was impeccable! The owner of Cala Mia, David, manages a seamless custom experience. We loved every moment from the music and beauty of Old Town to the amazing fishing, beautiful views, gracious staff and great food at Cala Mia.

If you like hard-core fishing but still want to enjoy fine food and very nice accommodations, this the place for you. From the moment we arrived to the time we had to leave, this resort took care of everything. The fishing was awesome and the food far exceeded our expectations. I can't wait to go back. The resort is very nice and well kept. There is plenty to explore when not fishing.

Outstanding guys fishing trip I joined a group of 12 guys for a fishing trip and discovered our resort was not just a great fishing venue but outstanding in all areas.
The fishing boats were well equiped and in great condition. The rod, reels and tackle were in as new condition the boat captains and mates skilled and helpful. Our rooms were very nice and made up daily. The meals were outstanding and exceeded our expectations. Each day we were suprised with gourmet meals perfectly prepared.
My many thanks to David (owner), Gladys, Alex and the rest of the staff for making our trip outstanding. If something needed to be improved they reacted quickly to solve any issue.

Doesn't get any better than this! Our week spent a Cala Mia resort was just about perfect in every single way imaginable. When the only, and I mean the only, slight negative I can think of is "I wish the infinity pool was a smidge bigger" you know it has mastered the art of resort life. The setting is gorgeous, very well tended, and brimming with brilliant trees and flowers. Our accommodations were well appointed, comfortable, clean and included an outdoor patio with a stunning view of the ocean. The service was exceptional with our unique needs (i.e. vegetarian) anticipated and provided for. In particular, Gladys, Alex, and Michael (servers, bartenders and dive master) went well out of their way in their various roles. The food is amazing with a well rounded selection throughout the week. This place is a gem. Highly recommended for a getaway to simply soak it all in with no stress in the process of doing so

Amazing place

Our stay at Cala Mia was 5-Star from the start to the finish. The experience begins with tremendous communication and organization. But, then the most amazing things begin. This resort has all-star service, great food, and world class fishing.With respect to the fishing, the boats are top notch. The captain and mate (Antonio and Michael) were amazing. They put us on fish every single day, and we caught every kind of fish imaginable including marlin, mahi mahi, and others.It is hard to say enough good things about our stay here. It was a trip of a lifetime and we will be back!

Best of the Best As a world traveler I have seen some amazing places, but this one takes the cake! David and his staff are top notch service providers while the accommodations are 5 star. With breathtaking views right off your personal patio of the most fertile fishing/diving grounds in the world you have no choice but to relax and be happy. Every meal I ate was delicious and I can honestly say one of the meals is in my top 5 of ALL time. The location is enough by itself to take your breath away, but when you add exceptional hospitality by the entire staff Cala Mia separates itself as the gold standard in resort vacations. If you want the best of the best, Cala Mia is the only choice!

Excelente lugar el paraíso hecho realidad, muy buena atención. Recomendado 100%

Honeymoon Our honeymoon vacation at Cala Mia was more than we could of ever expected. David and his staff are excellent at making your stay comfortable and fun. The villas are roomy and private and are attended to each day. The resort has a great infinity pool that has beautiful views of the ocean. We spent a few days hiking in the jungle around the property were we were escorted by one of David's dogs (Draco) and saw plenty of jungle fauna and howler monkeys. Other days were filled with fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, zip lining, horseback riding, and some lazy days by pool and dock. The tour to Boquete is worth the drive, it is a cute little town with plenty of good restaurants and shopping. This is where the zip line is located and the views are phenomenal. The food at the resort was excellent and we couldn't wait to see what was on each days menu. The resort is very well kept and staff are very proud of their surroundings. We became good friends with everyone there and have already started planning when we can return. Thank you David, Alex, Fred, and Adem.

Resort Perfection We recently got back from a trip to Panama Nautical Club. I can’t say enough great things about this place. The lodge is beautiful, immaculately manicured, clean, great views. The infinity pool was a perfect way to cool off after a hot day of fishing, hiking, diving, etc.
Our bartender/waiter, Alex, was phenomenal! You can tell he loves his job and excels at concocting some of the most delicious elaborate cocktails. He’s there with you all day serving you whatever you desire with a smile. The girls enjoyed our massages on our relaxed day off.
The rooms were cleaned daily and clothing was laundered which was a huge help because we only were able to bring carry-ons.
We had two days offshore fishing planned but it was a bit rough due to the unusual ocean swell but Captain Chi-Chi and Michael did their best to put us on fish. Chi-Chi would chat with us each night before our charter to see what we would like to do so he could best meet our goals. The first day we caught wahoo, mahi, and barracuda. The second day we caught a few nice rooster fish. The best day was our inshore fishing/scuba dive/spearfishing. The dives were nice. Fred, our guide, was great while spotting sharks, rays, eels, turtles etc. He set us up with all the equipment we needed for the dive and equipment for one spear fisher. We hammered the roosterfish on our inshore day catching five. All of them were large, one being around 70lbs and made for an exciting fight.
Our favorite part was the food. Chef Adan cooks the most fresh, scrumptious tasting meals any of us had ever had at a lodge or resort. Breakfasts were made to order and cooked fresh every morning even before charters. The lunches on board were excellent and plentiful with fresh fruits and snacks. Dinners were spectacular using fresh fish, clams, lobster, etc. The beef steak was by far the best we’d ever had in any foreign country. I would give every meal five stars.
Last, I was super thankful for the owner, David and his planning skills. He was quick with his responses and had significant knowledgeable on travel plans. He booked all our travel once we got into Panama and all our excursions once on the island. The ease of planning is worth every penny. You can tell he loves island life and prides himself in his incredible team and lodge. He was an absolute pleasure to work with before the trip and even more so during the trip. He just wants you to have a great time! We would all highly suggest visiting Cala Mia/Panama Nautical Club and can’t wait to go back.

Fantastic Vacation! I knew a trip to Cala Mia Island Resort would be a special treat, but the experience far exceeded my expectations. The visual beauty of the resort setting is amazing. The staff, service, food, excursions, accommodations are top notch and the value of this vacation spot is excellent. Definitely one of the best 5 fun
filled days and nights, getaway I have experienced. This place is a gem, to be preserved,
protected and cherished.

AMAZING TRIP! FANTASTIC RESPORT! INCREDIBLE AMMENDITIES! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! My group of three booked the VIP package for our first time in Panama. The VIP trip included someone meeting us as soon as we got off our flight in Panama City, cab service to and from airport, one night stay in Panama City, flight to David, and cab service to ans from David to the dock.Everything was absolutely perfect. Everyone was extremely nice, on time, and spoke English.

THE FISHING WAS AMAZING. Over the 4 days we fished we easily caught over 50 fish. We caught Tuna, rooster fish, a 350 pound marlin, jack, and a rainbow runner.

FOOD WAS AMAZING! The Chef is one of a kind!

THE STAFF GOES OUT OF THIER WAY TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE.

We’ve had absolutely no problems while we’ve been here! Everything followed as planned!

Lovely spot!

Welcome to Paradise! Cala Mia Island Resort sits on the island of Boca Brava. It is truly a high-end destination resort that offers nothing short of white glove service. They have logically thought out every aspect of the resort keeping the guest at the forefront of the equation. They work out every aspect of your trip prior to you setting foot on the welcoming dock that leads up to Paradise. They will make arrangements for you from David Airport, Panama City, the USA or anywhere in this big beautiful world! It is a point-to-point vacation plan that leaves no stone unturned. The resort has 9 bungalows or Villas that have been tastefully appointed with luxury detail sparing no expense. The beds are memory foam and couldn’t be more comfortable. I felt that they were self-healing beds that could cure any ailment! A better night’s sleep listening to the ocean gently rolling up to the shore could not be had. The staff there is so on point and always present for anything you desire. Cala Mia Restaurant run by Master Chef Adan, serves a fusion of assorted tropical fare with organic vegetables and dairy from the hotel’s own farm. All meals at the resort were off the hook and better than the majority of the finest restaurants in NYC. You feel completely welcomed and with that you leave all problems behind from life. Only the freshest food in all aspects is delivered to your table and the presentation is outstanding! This resort is worth every penny of the price they ask for and you will get full value out of your spending dollars here. Treat yourself to a once in a lifetime experience.

La atención, la comida, los cuartos, la playa, la pesca, lo tiene TODO ?

Einfach traumhaft Zusammenfassend kann man sagen, dass es wohl einer unserer schönsten Urlaube überhaupt war!!!
Schon die Anreise vom Flughafen David war sehr gut organisiert und damit entspannt. Das Resort ist traumhaft gelegen und verfügt über zwei Strände, die man fast immer für sich alleine hat. Die Häuser sind alle mit Blick auf das Wasser und haben jeweils eine schöne überdachte Terrasse, die genug Sonnenschutz bietet, um dort auch die heiße Mittagszeit gut verbringen zu können.
Die Häuser und das ganze Gelände sind sehr sauber und die Mitarbeiter sind alle sehr freundlich.
Die Verpflegung ist abwechslungsreich, immer frisch zubereitet und wirklich lecker. Das gilt auch für die Cocktails und hier muss man besonders die Qualitäten von Alex dem Barmann erwähnen.
Wer etwas unternehmen möchte bekommt vieles geboten. Wir haben z.B. die kostenlosen Stand up Paddle Boards und die Kajaks genutzt, sind ein bisschen an der Küste gewandert, haben Angeltrips gemacht und auch Yoga. Rebekka, die einen Großteil der Organisation übernimmt und immer für uns da war (vielen Dank an Dich), gibt auch Yoga Kurse, was wir gerne mehrfach in Anspruch genommen haben. Entspannung pur!
Auch die Angeltouren, die David (Eigentümer der Anlage) organisiert, waren klasse. Wir haben bei drei Ausfahrten viele schöne Fische fangen. Das Bootscrew ist gut ausgebildet und sehr bemüht, dass man seinen Fisch fängt.
Wer also Ruhe, Natur, gutes Essen und Aktivitäten im, am und auf dem Wasser mag, der ist hier super aufgehoben

Cal Mia Qualifier:My buddy and I were are the resort mainly for fishing so I cannot give any feedback on any adventure topics such as diving, horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.Pre-trip:My fishing buddy and I planned this trip 6 months in advance to our mid-March 2020 trip to Cala Mia. During that time, any questions we had were promptly answered. We scheduled a five night stay all inclusive with three full days off-shore fishing with our main target of marlin, sailfish, and tuna. Rooms:GreatCaptain and crew:GreatFishing:Great (over 2,000lbs of yellow fin tuna)Food:GreatStaff:GreatFishing:Each day we started with a quick breakfast at 6:00am and on the boat by latest 6:30am. Our captain and his crewman had everything ready to go well in advance of us showing up at the boat. All we had to do was walk down the dock and jump on board. We were out until 5-5:30pm each day.Plenty of bait fish and the whole fishing area is full of life (turtles, stingrays, sailfish, tuna,) it is a fishing paradise (just couldnt get a marlin on the line)...maybe next time!Final result: I would definitely stay at Cala Mia again and definitely come back for fishing! Good luck to all the Cala Mia staff, stay safe from the corona virus and hopefully things get back to normal for tourism to Panama.

Cal Mia Qualifier:

My buddy and I were are the resort mainly for fishing so I cannot give any feedback on any adventure topics such as diving, horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.

Pre-trip:
My fishing buddy and I planned this trip 6 months in advance to our mid-March 2020 trip to Cala Mia. During that time, any questions we had were promptly answered. We scheduled a five night stay all inclusive with three full days off-shore fishing with our main target of marlin, sailfish, and tuna.
Rooms:Great
Captain and crew:Great
Fishing:Great (over 2,000lbs of yellow fin tuna)
Food:Great
Staff:Great

Fishing:
Each day we started with a quick breakfast at 6:00am and on the boat by latest 6:30am. Our captain and his crewman had everything ready to go well in advance of us showing up at the boat. All we had to do was walk down the dock and jump on board. We were out until 5-5:30pm each day.

Plenty of bait fish and the whole fishing area is full of life (turtles, stingrays, sailfish, tuna,) it is a fishing paradise (just couldnt get a marlin on the line)...maybe next time!

Final result: I would definitely stay at Cala Mia again and definitely come back for fishing! Good luck to all the Cala Mia staff, stay safe from the corona virus and hopefully things get back to normal for tourism to Panama.

Best Lodge ever You are always a little nervous taking a large group (24 guys) to a lodge your haven't been to. It's only natural to wonder about the cabins, food, service, boats and amenities. And the fishing.

We arrived to VIP service in Panama City and were transported to a Hilton Hotel located right at the mouth of the Panama Canal. So far so good. We toured the canal and city the next day arriving
at the airport in time to catch the afternoon flight to Boca Chica. Boats from the lodge met us at the
dock and transported us to the lodge and a lobster dinner.

The lodge and rooms are beautiful, air conditioned and clean with a killer view of the Pacific. For the next four days it was fish, fish and, oh yeah, fishing. We've visited Panama before and always found the quantity of fish to be surpassed by the quality. This trip was no different. We took Black Marlin to 650#, Cuberra, Roosterfish and a variety of inshore species.

Back to the lodge. The food and service was outstanding. We ate lobster, prawns, beef fillets, and Tuna steaks on an open veranda. One evening the lodge prepared pizza on a wood burning oven at their beach front restaurant for Happy Hour. How can it get better?

We were transported back to Panama City and toured the Embrea Indian Village. This was special as they used long dug out canoes, that leaked! Not to worry as the water is shallow and they provide life jackets. LOL.

The logistics for a large group touring, fishing, hotels and transportation is almost impossible. They
made it seem easy. Can't wait to go back

Perfect and professional. This place takes care of all little things, staff is wonderful, food is excellent and the bartender is from outer space. We look forward to coming back. If you want to take fish home think about this before you arrive. You need a cooler, take some fresh fish home with some frozen fish.

Undiscovered Gem My boyfriend and I stayed at Cala Mia for 4 nights February 2020 .We could not have been more pleasantly surprised with the wonderful staff and beautiful resort. They were easy to communicate with during the planning time and made all of the arrangements to pick us up from the airport and getting us on the ferry to the island . It was all very fluid and went smoothly. The cab driver was very pleasant and was a big fan of American
Music so we had plenty to talk about on the ride to Cala Mia.

First off , the staff. At Cala Mia they absolutely go above and beyond to make sure you feel like a VIP. The resort is small in size but big in heart and in a sense of family. There was no sense of hierarchy here, just family working together to help the guests live the best experience . We have to give a huge thank you to Joel who is truly dedicated to ensuring your experience is everything you dreamed. He is so helpful, kind and caring and wants to make sure you are comfortable. His recommendations were always on point , as if he knew exactly what we were thinking. We also want to make a shout out to Alex, the bartender, who is an outstanding mixologist . His tiki drinks were delicious and he’s so attentive to his guests that he remembered everyone’s drink orders. His relaxed demeanor was also refreshing considering we were on island time . David (owner) was fantastic; my boyfriend is an avid boater and fisherman and very interested in the resort’s power supply / boating fleet etc. and David took him on a private tour to see the fleet , which was really interesting and very nice of him. Rebecca was amazing and always so helpful in arranging times for our activities and making sure we knew when we needed to be somewhere. She also had a fantastic yoga session every morning that I regret not joining .

The food was awesome. We loved how the dinner changed every night and they would highlight the catch of the day. We were able to eat the fish we caught fishing; the fish tacos were amazing!! There is a lot to choose from for breakfast and lunch and everything is served special. The pizza oven shaped like a turtle at the beach bar was a nice touch! No buffets or hot plate food here! ( something we realized when we got back to Panama City was very important to us )

The activities were a blast. We did a full day of inshore fishing (shout out to Carlos and Christian for being AMAZING captain and first mate for our fishing boat. We caught a huge rooster fish In the first hour, which is what was #1 on our bucket list so the pressure was off for the rest of the day. We went on to catch a good variety of fish including a cubera snapper, many pacific jack, and a huge barracuda . A special thank you to Carlos and Christian because my boyfriend told them his goal that day was to catch a rooster and cubera snapper and we caught both! We were nearing the end of the day and the wind was about to pick up, but before we made a run for home they gave us one last shot at landing a cubera snapper . The mission was accomplished. For myself and my boyfriend this was an amazing experience to be able to say we had gotten every inshore fish on our list. Any fisherman knows that is not an easy feat. Bonus; they were great photographers and we ended up asking for their pictures because they were better than ours!

We also did the Islas Secas Snorkel trip which was spectacular with pan-tropical spotted dolphins jumping around the boat and frolicking near us the whole 45 minute trip to the islands. We also saw sea turtles, royal terns and diving brown boobies (Yes that’s the name of a seabird ). They took the time to try to find the whale shark spotted the day before but unfortunately we never laid eyes on the magnifying creature. What we did see under the pristine water surrounding Islas secas was an abundance of marine life and healthy reef . The spotted eagle ray was the highlight of the day for us as they are pretty elusive. Their flightiness makes them hard to catch on camera, but my boyfriend managed to get great footage!

The location and grounds are really gorgeous and remote. The bird diversity was unreal, I was in heaven hearing all the different bird calls and seeing all the hummingbirds and hermits. The grounds keeper was extremely friendly and loved swapping stories with us about the wildlife and fish we had spotted that day. The cabins are very nice and they feel quite private. We felt right at home with David’s three well behaved dogs, Amber, Winfield and Draco, laying at our feet at the beach bar, as we have Labradors of our own. Everything is also quite close so you can walk to the restaurant, the two beaches, the spa, the pool, etc, all very easily. We walked the trail to the overlook on the island and saw howler money’s right off the trail. We used the paddle boards on the last day and saw a baby (tiny) hammerhead shark battling two frigate birds for the fish he had caught ! Needless to say they are not low on the wildlife encounters here.

I hope we get a chance to come back to Cala Mia someday. If we do we would probably stay a few more nights than we did and go offshore fishing as well as inshore fishing . We would also partake in a snorkel trip again. Thank you to everyone for making our first international trip ( first time out of the USA for both of us ) UNFORGETTABLE.

-Love Victoria and Sam

Great trip with my sons The resort was exceptionally well maintained. Felt like a cruise on the concierge level from the time we were greeted on the dock with chilled hand towels, staff taking our luggage to our villa, and the welcome rum runners. The food was outstanding! There was a fixed dinner menu, but the chefs would prepare something special upon request, especially the fish we caught. David, the owner/operator was always checking in on us. Made to order breakfast each morning prior to fishing, with box lunches for all, fresh fruits, and beverages. Living area exceptionally clean, good size with bathrooms & walk-in showers. All the staff were wonderful & professional! Can't wait to go back.

Amazing place with an amazing staff My fiancé and I stayed here recently and can’t speak highly enough about our experience. The hotel is gorgeous, the food is amazing, and the staff and owner were incredibly kind and helpful.

We arrived during the start of the coronavirus scare and the team did everything in their power to make us feel comfortable and ensure we had a great time. We travel quite a bit and would recommend Cala
Mia to anyone looking to enjoy all of the beauty Panama has to offer

GET HERE NOW!!! hard to find germs in paradise okay this is the first 24 hours at Cala Mia--and yes we did have to take two planes to get here. But guys-- this is probably the safest place in the world to be. EVERYONE in Panama is being so careful and Cala Mia is SO clean and pristine. it's like walking into heaven. will write more when we're back but for the moment I mean it- I think STRESS makes us prone to illness. this is one of the most stress free and beautiful places I can recommend to avoid the panic. if you have reservations here, wash your hands crazily on the plane, clean the seats and tray-- and GET HERE!!!

Amazing fishing, accommodations. The staff went above and beyond at all times.

Fishing trip Cabins we stayed in were very clean and modern,,no bugs, A C worked real good.

Food was first class. Lots of fresh fish they cook. Right from the daily fishing trips.

Nice bar, fun drinks.

The owner is always around and runs a tight ship. On top of everything and cares for his guest. It is my second time here and definitely will come back.

Came with my girlfriend. She enjoyed the fishing as well. See pic.