Hello Everyone,
I am traveling to Panama City next week and wanted to spend a few days at a Pacific coast hotel. I was hoping for some insights into a some nice places to stay in the Coronado/Gorgona/Santa Clara area.

Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Tom

The Coronado resort is nice, but not oceanfront. I usually just go up and rent a cottage on the beach. Highly recommended! Have a great time, Tom.

I've heard good things about Hotel Las Sirenas in Santa Clara.

There's not a lot of choice on that part of the coast unfortunately, Las Sirenas is a good option, there are some other bungalows but they aren't the nicest - have a old colleague from my last hotel in Panama who has a set of bungalows on Playa Malibu which is just east of Gorgona - okay, small with low ceilings and when I was there a couple of months ago - no restaurant so you had to bring all your own food. Las Sirenas may be starting up a restaurant at least for breakfast and maybe lunch and there are a couple of options nearby. Rey supermarket is 15 minutes down the highway and the kitchens in Las Sirenas are fully equipped plus they will set up the bbq for you if you want.

If you golf, the Coronado is the place, not a cheap place to stay but very nice rooms, great pool, an good beach club 10 minutes shuttle bus ride away. I know the GM very well so have to say nice things about it!!!

Cheers,
Andrew

Thanks guys, I went with the Coronado Resort. We are driving from the airport, anything I should know?

It's a pretty easy drive, take the toll road after you leave the airport - about 1/2 mile you will pass over the highway and then the exit/entrance is on your right looping down and under... $1.15 at first toll booth and then $1.25 at the second, keep on the toll road till it merges into Avenida Balboa - continue along Balboa with the sea on your left. Turn right at the Shell Station about 5k on - you will see an overpass in front of you.
Keep in the left lane and once through the 2nd set of lights keep to the left and go up and over the overpass. This takes you onto the approach road to the Bridge. You are now on the highway to the interior. There's a $0.50 toll booth about 1/2 hour along then you will turn left to Coronado at the big Rey Supermarket - can't miss their sign.

It's an easy drive, but if the rain starts bucketing it down it can drop visibility to near zero - put on your emergency flashers (that's the common thing here) and keep in the right lane and keep your speed down.

If you meet the GM, Margarita, tell her I said nice things about the hotel!!!!

Cheers,
Andrew