La Buena Vida is a small, artsy hotel set near the center of Santa Catalina. The hotel has comfy rooms and a healthy onsite café. The friendly owners offer massage services and yoga classes.

Santa Catalina has made a name for itself in recent years as one of Panama’s top surfing destinations. Indeed, the area has a number of spots where the waves are huge and smooth. Although the most famous breaks are for advanced riders, there are mellow beach breaks that are good for beginners. Aside from surfing, visitors to Santa Catalina can enjoy deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The Coiba Island National Park – set off the coast of Santa Catalina – is a good place to do some of this.

La Buena Vida (which means “The Good Life” in Spanish) is a short walk from Santa Catalina’s coastline. The hotel is owned and operated by two enterprising Americans who give the place a homey and artistic feel.

The rooms are painted in vibrant colors and have impressive mosaics on the walls or in the bathrooms. Hammocks and chairs decorate front porches, offering guests a pleasant place to relax. All rooms have a private bathroom, hot water shower, air conditioning, and a mini fridge. There are a variety of options to choose from—one room sleeps just two people, while another can sleep eight. There is also a studio that has a fully equipped kitchen and outdoor BBQ. This is a great option for larger groups or those wanting to cook their own meals.

La Buena Vida offers breakfast and lunch in their garden café. The food here is healthy and tasty—there are omelets and granola for breakfast, and a variety of salads and sandwiches for lunch.

La Buena Vida also has a yoga studio. Hatha (slow flow) classes are offered, as well as weekend workshops. The hotel additionally offers a number of massage treatments.

La Buena Vida Facilities
Restaurant, bar, yoga studio, massage service

Amenities
Private bathroom, hot water, air conditioning, mini fridge, private terrace, hammocks, ceiling fan, fully equipped kitchen, Internet access, gift shop

Accommodations
All accommodations come equipped with a private hot water bathroom, air conditioning, and mini fridge.

Butterfly Villa – this villa has two double beds, one of which is a bunk bed. It sleeps five people.

Bird Villa – this two-story villa has two double beds and a large terrace. It sleeps four people.

Gecko Villa – this villa has one queen-size bed, a ceiling fan, and private terrace. It sleeps two people.

Casa del Mar – this studio has two double beds, two single bunk beds, and one futon. It has a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor patio with a BBQ grill. It sleeps eight people.