Stunning glass villa with bamboo post & beam roofs , an amazing view!

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Entire home

Gourmet Kitchen with Large Island for prep and eating.

Our huge kitchen has most every appliance you can use to create amazing meals.

Living room has 10 foot glass walls & seating for 8. Netflix & a flat screen TV

The fresh produce makes for such great salsa & Guacamola

It may seem like Jurrasic Park, but we have Netflixs, high speed internet WIFI.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

9.8

Exceptional

5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 18334 sq m

Popular amenities

Hot tub

Washer

Barbecue grill

Pet-friendly

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Check-in time

4:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

Explore the area

Boca Chica, Chiriqui

Playa Grande68 min drive
Playa La Barqueta70 min drive
Playa Las Lajas81 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

Bunk room

2 Single Bunk Beds

Master bedroom pavilion

1 King Bed

Queen room

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Outdoor shower

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Outdoor shower

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Outdoor shower

Kitchen

Dining Area

About this property

This listing is for just the 3 bedroom glass villa. 1 King, 1 queen & two sets of bunk beds in the 3rd bedroom. But we can also reserve the 2 bedroom + cottage down near the water to give greater privacy & expand the number of guests we can accommodate.

Mango Bay is like arriving at Jurassic Park. We are on a 400 acre nature preserve, If you like to see Dolphins, eagles, parrots, monkeys & catch & eat fresh fish, then you will love it here. This is nothing like a Mexican tourist resort. This is natural Panama, no discos or gambling. But we do have fantastic sunrises & calm water, perfect for paddling or water skiing.

We give our guests great service (see our 5 star reviews) & have off site managers who just moved from Florida & a knowledgeable local boat captain on site. We can arrange for all your meals to be prepared & we have at least 15 different day trips that you can embark on. From several fishing & island trips to hidden canyons & waterfalls. zip lining & rafting, guided car drive & a fantastic coffee tour., We can even get you to the highest spot in Panama at sunrise!

The villa is comprised of three 800 foot Steel, Teak & Bamboo platforms. Each of the rooms has an incredible view, as the walls are glass. The first room has 2 sets of bunk beds, end table & lamp. It also has a large armoire for clothing. The second room on the same platform has a nice queen bed, cool hardwood chair, armoire & two end tables with lamps. Both rooms are 200 square feet each. They share a bathroom right beside the rooms & it has a huge outdoor shower. The master is on its own 800 foot platform & has an attached 3 room master bath & its own covered porch with teak deck furniture. This room has a king bed, armoire, desk for your laptop, two end tables, chest & another ornamental cabinet. We even have a phone system so guests can make free phone calls to the US or Canada.

The home has a Bali theme, furniture is also that same theme . So is the thatch covered bamboo post & beam roof system. These 60 foot long roof system covers the villa's three 40 foot long pavilions & the also bodega, which houses the laundry room, tools storage & the off grid power system. Yes, we have a large array of solar panels & a large set of batteries to store the power of the sun in Panama. There is a back up of generator for cloudy days. The walls are glass, which will give you the feeling of living in the jungle, but of course you have all the conveniences of living at home. AC in every room, high speed internet, Netflix's & crushed ice.

We also have our 2 bedroom cottage available to rent, to compliment the big villa or it could be rented on it's own. It also features a 240 foot covered veranda, a large table for dining. It has a convection oven, fridge, 4 burner stove top, induction element & a barbecue on the large veranda.

There is a deep freeze in the attached boat garage for putting your catch of the day. Each room has an over head fan & we have ac. The cottage has Exterior Insulated foam system, acrylic stucco. Which means it is well insulated. The windows are dual pane, crank style which is also unlike what you usually find in Panama. It has a high vaulted ceiling. The kitchen is good sized with all the utensils , pans & a dining table for 4 inside.

The pier is just 50 feet in front & at high tide, we often just pull the boat out behind the place. Then walk onto our cement boat ramp that comes up behind the attached boat garage. So it is ideal for a small group of fishermen. It may also be used for an especially large group, or if there are over 6 men & they do not want to sleep in the same bed as another one of the group members.

We have our high efficiency Perkins diesel generator. To ensure there is always a way to keep the rooms cool at night. We do not intend for our guests to stay in their rooms all day under the AC. That is NOT possible in an off grid environment. Not with out running a fossil fuel generator 24 hours a day. But we want to ensure guests a comfortable nights sleep.

The property was inhabited years ago, but was never logged off. So it has incredible trees, some fruit bearing, (Mango, Avocado, Lime, Coconut, Bananas, Pineapples, Papaya & Plantains to name a few. View birds & monkeys for a truly tropical ambiance. The calm, warm waters are accessed by our 150 foot long pier. It is great to go for a swim, paddle from or to water ski off of. Access to all the fishing in the bay & out into the Hannibal bank is a must. One of our boats can get you right into the marina at Petragal in about 40 minutes. Petragal is just 4 minutes from the airport & only 10 minutes from the city of David. The port of Punta Tierra is only a 12 minute boat ride to this landing spot. They just paved the road there & that cuts the time to town down to just over 20 minutes. I just love all these infrastructure projects being completed in Panama!!

Property manager

Shawn & Angie Money

Languages

English

Amenities

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Kitchen

Washer

Outdoor space

Barbecue grill

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Parties and events are allowed on site

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Pedregal

Located in Pedregal, this holiday home is on the beach. Boca Chica Marina and Golfo de Chiriqui National Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Playa Grande and Playa La Barqueta. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Boca Chica, Chiriqui

What's nearby

Playa Grande - 68 min drive
Playa La Barqueta - 70 min drive
Playa Las Lajas - 81 min drive

Restaurants

La Costa

Frequently asked questions

Is Stunning glass villa with bamboo post & beam roofs , an amazing view! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Stunning glass villa with bamboo post & beam roofs , an amazing view!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Stunning glass villa with bamboo post & beam roofs , an amazing view!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Stunning glass villa with bamboo post & beam roofs , an amazing view! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Pedregal holiday home is 27.8 mi (44.7 km) from Playa La Barqueta.

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

8.0/10

Listing accuracy

8/10 Good

Shanda M.

17 Dec 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Disliked: Listing accuracy

A Magical Island

In spite of a hugely inaccurate description of amenities and personnel, this place is MAGICAL! The house is unique and beautiful and the views are spectacular. We loved the howler monkeys! The property manager and the onsite grounds keepers were a joy to communicate with. They took great care of us.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

pauline d., Cognin

22 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Séjour original

Belle maison mais qui mériterait un petit rafraîchissement. Pour le tarif il devrait y avoir une bonbonne d'eau et des produits d'hygiène.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Heather H.

25 Feb 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything you need to relax and wind down!

We were traveling South and Central America for two months and our stay in Mango Bay was one of the Highlights of our vacation. This gorgeous home is nestled among the coconut palms, avocado, banana and lemon trees. The three piece Bali style house features all glass front so you wake up, cook and relax while enjoying the amazing ocean views. The large kitchen has everything you need to cook, but be sure to stock up when you leave the mainland. One of our favorite daily routines was to cook dinner and sit on the deck to watch the monkeys and iguanas while we ate. The howler monkeys are a delight as well and be sure to take a hike through the back yard jungle to enjoy all the flora and fauna the island hosts! If you need anything, Victor, lives on the island and will attend to your needs there, and Christina is on the mainland and can make arrangements for tours, for pick up and for delivery back to the airport. Shawn is the house owner and is quick to tell you everything about the area and the culture and customs. Communication was always easy and even though we had to change our travel dates twice, he adapted with ease and made it work! We highly recommend a stay here if solitude and sun are what you need. It if solitude is not your thing, you can easily catch a ride to the nearest tourist attraction!

Stayed 13 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

James B., Ann Arbor

16 Jan 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique off the grid Island

Fantastic opportunity to see Panama as it was many years ago before the land was cleared. Surprisingly accessible but very remote feeling untouched island that has a beautiful mostly glass set of rooms set well above a beautiful bay. Great communication with Shawn prior to our stay. He is rightfully proud of this amazing property. The friendly and very competent property manager Christa met us at the David airport. She nearly convinced us to not rent a car (we wish she had succeeded as you really don't need one, she very nicely ended up returning it for us while we were on the island) We then bought a huge amount of food at the local supermarket. nearly enough for our 8 days stay. She then helped drive our party to the tiny harbor where the boat captain Christian met us and took us to the island. While on the island we were very well taken care of by Toka and his wife Bonifacia, two indigenous panamanians who really know the island. Toka was nice enough to collect some delicious clams for us. He seemed surprised that we paid him market rate for them, please don't make the mistake of exploiting their helpfulness. Christian took us both to amazing untouched islands with beaches that have zero people on them, be sure to bring dry bags and plenty of water and you can spend a very Robinson Crusoe type experience. Drybags are nice as if you have them you can keep your stuff dry while accessing beaches that dont have great landing spots and thus zero people. You jump off the boat into 86 degree crystal clear water up to your chest, and ferry the stuff to shore. Lots of great wildlife on the island, howler monkeys , butterflys and poison dart frogs right near the houses and pelicans on the little island in front. Christian is also very patient in fishing and waterskiing, both of which are great. Also worth doing is a day trip to Boquete, a pleasant mountain town, Christa will take you there. The day trips are not free but absolutely worth it. If your spanish is good you can arrange them directly with Christian (very limited English) and Christa (OK English), otherwise they can be arranged through Shawn. I have travelled a huge amount but this Island will stay in my memory a long time.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tom S., Seneca SC

3 Apr 2018

Tranquility in an Unspoiled Marine Park

Well worth worth the nightly price if you seek something completely different for a get away from the so called civilized world. Howler monkeys and parrots will provide the audio backdrop to a stunning view with comfy digs. Pluses....Remote yet accessible, air conditioning for sleeping soundly, and wi-fi is available in case you need to stay connected. Daniel, a boat captain on the nearby mainland , is a great catch for affordable fishing , site-seeing, or for arranging picnics on picture perfect deserted islands scattered through out the park and beyond. Victor, the caretaker, is a kind , capable, and accommodating guy who will assist in making your stay a memorable one. The new kayak is great for circumventing ,exploring , and fishing near the island . It was wonderful to have a washing machine, gas grill , hammocks, excellent potable water , and few annoying insects. The only shortcoming was the rather uncomfortable living room furniture, and no beach chairs for all day island excursions. There is a very good chance I may be back some day!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

2 Apr 2018

If you ever wanted to get away from it all this is

Had an amazing time at the cottage for 7 days It was very comfortable for three adults Shawn made all of the arrangements and it all went smoothly and exactly as he said it would. If he said someone would be there to take us along to the next step of our adventure. They were there on usually early in fact Roberto in Panama was lovely and took us on a private tour of the Canal area to see the monkeys Jose greeted us on arrival in David and hauled us to a farmers market and the grocery store for provisions patiently waiting at the meat counter to order for us in Spanish As for the island itself Victor is wonderful and there to help you in any way you may possibly need. We took several trips with Victor had a wonderful time. Even after we hired a boat for the day from Captain Daniel to go farther out the only fish we caught was when we were with Victor he even cleaned our catch for us Bring a hat and some strong sunscreen Cannot wait to go back again

10/10 Excellent

Leslie T., Hamilton, Ontario

17 Jan 2018

Looking for Seclusion?

This is a gem of a property... it's private, natural and beautiful! The house is a magnificent contrast of almost Polynesian style thatched A-frame with floor to ceiling aluminum framed glass. As odd as it may sound, this is the perfect house for the property because from afar it blends into the landscape and from inside as you can stare out at nature bouncing all around you. The only caveat I would give in recommending this property is that it's on an island, a mile from shore and another 20 minutes from amenities so being prepared for your stay is essential. If that is not daunting and like us was what we were looking for, then this is the perfect place.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andy C., Virginia

29 Dec 2017

Luxurious Adventure

My time at Mango Bay (December 2017) was amazing. Shawn and his team have a slice of heaven that they graciously share, along with the expertise to make living in your own island palace as relaxing or exciting as you want it. I was treated with honesty, respect, and friendliness before, during, and after my visit. Book with confidence! The property is gorgeous. The bedrooms and bathrooms are all separate from the kitchen and living room area; each structure is floor-to-ceiling glass covered by a beautiful thatch roof. There are ample screens in place and ceiling fans. Despite 85F/30C days I never once felt the need to turn on the air conditioning. There are several shaded sitting areas outside as well and while I came prepared with bug spray I never once used it. Shawn has a gas range and plenty of cookware, as well as a propane grill for your fresh catches. Despite its remote location, getting to the island is a breeze. The airport at David is very small and easy to navigate. Shawn’s friend was there on time and helped me manage a baggage issue with the airline, as I am far from fluent in Spanish. From there we went to a well-stocked and surprisingly affordable grocery store for supplies. I recommend picking up a small container of salt, as it is prone to clumping pretty quickly and the stuff at the house was close to unusable. After loading up we met the property manager at the boat landing. He had a cooler large enough for all my groceries, as well as plastic bags to protect my luggage from the rain. The ride to the house, about fifteen or twenty minutes by starlight, went without an issue. The water was as calm as a lake despite the rainstorm. The property manager is, without question, one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He shared his knowledge of the island and the waters around it and even made an afternoon fishing trip out of our necessary trip back to the mainland to get my lost bag. Shawn can help arrange deep sea fishing charters at prices that blow the competition away. Despite very little talent with a rod and reel I came away with a gigantic mahi-mahi to eat, several to give away, and the fun of catching and releasing other gamefish. I actually booked an additional trip with Shawn’s recommended charter and had just as great a time the second day. Shawn can also help you arrange a tour of Panama City if you wish, or get you in touch with folks in Boquete if mountains are your thing.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mario A., Barrington Hills, IL/ USA

17 Apr 2017

Phenomenal

My wife, 3 teenage boys and I spent the last week of March, 2017 on Isla de Muertos. We have travelled extensively through Central and South America and usually judge the outcome of our trips by our children's reactions and comments. This was by far one of the best adventures we've had! For a week we had an island and tropical rain forest all to ourselves. The vegetation and wildlife are stunning. Whether you look up or down you find something amazing: howler and spider monkeys, parakeets and several other multicolor birds, dart frogs and lizards to mention a few. Throughout the day 'the voice' of the jungle changes according to which animal or insect prevails: it's phenomenal to follow from sunrise to sunset and when it is dark. The calm waters off the property make it easy to explore the island by water using either the paddle board or canoe. The incredibly long beaches of Boca Brava and the small town of Boca Chica (for dinner) can be reached easily with Victor. Gamez and Bolanos have beautiful beaches that I would recommend visiting. One of our dinners was a grilled albacore tuna caught by one of my boys during a fishing expedition with Daniel who also took us snorkeling in a truly spectacular and isolated setting. The house is very comfortable and well decorated and equipped. We loved it. We bought food in David for the 6 days we spent on the island. There are a few restaurants in Boca Chica, a 20 minute boat ride away. Isla de Muertos is remote but easy to reach mostly because of Shaun's team that will take care of transportation once you hit the ground in Panama City. My boys have already asked to return to Mango Bay!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mario A., Barrington Hills, IL/ USA

13 Apr 2017

Tropical paradise (a true adventure!)

We have traveled extensively in Central and South America. Isla de Muertos is by far one of the most interesting places we've visited. The island is remote, yet easy to reach thanks to Shaun's excellent network of contacts in Panama. It is a tropical rain forest with amazing vegetation and animals. My 3 high school boys had a phenomenal time spotting monkeys, birds, lizards and frogs. The changing sounds of the jungle are amazing. The house is beautiful and very comfortable. Several islands with incredibly beautiful beaches can be reached easily from the island. Victor is a wonderful host/boat driver. And be sure to book a deep fishing excursion with Daniel. We caught and ate Albacore tuna on the same day. This is a place to return to! (and bring a book to read on the hammock) My kids have already asked to go back!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wanda E.

22 Mar 2017

Incredible and Amazing!!!!!!!

This property is truly amazing!!!! From the beautiful views on the boat ride to the property, the scenery is incredible! The villa has the most wonderful view and the sunrises are fabulous! The stars are so beautiful at night. On most vacations, it takes a few days to unwind. Not here, it is so quiet and peaceful, relaxation comes quickly. The kitchen has all the amenities you could want and then some. Nothing like you would expect being off the grid. The beds were so very comfortable, great shower, perfect beach etc. Victor is wonderful and extremely helpful! Shawn was so great to work with. Answered any questions we might have, walked us through certain features so that we were familiar, etc. There is a small cottage as well which has recently been renovated. It is right next to the water and the dock. There is almost always a cooling breeze that goes by in both locations. This is really a wonderful place to spend a holiday!!!!!!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anna W.

16 Feb 2017

Awesome! Beautiful view!

Everything you need is there except the grocery store. Victor was helpful with the generator at night with being off the grid. Really everything you need for cooking was available. We had a great time with Daniel snorkeling. Hardest part was directions with finding the boat ramp in Petregal since it wasn't at the big marina. We had fun with the paddle board, swimming from the dock and walking in the jungle.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Martin S.

23 Aug 2016

Fabulous vacation spot!!!!!

The house is just beautiful and well-designed, with glass walls all around, raised decks and separate buildings for the master bedroom, additional bedrooms and for the kitchen and common area. It is completely off-grid solar with generator backup, so it is necessary to keep the AC to a minimum (we only used it after dark and had the units set for 26 C), but with the breezes and the fans, we were always comfortable both inside and out (we live in NC though, and are accustomed to warmer weather). If you need to have the AC at 18 C and running all day, this isn't the place for you. It is slightly buggy (it *is* a rainforest!), but we only used bug spray one afternoon (we stayed 5 nights) when we ventured out to explore the island a bit. We found that at dusk the no-seeums would occasionally be bad enough to send us indoors, but most of the rest of the time, we were fine outside without covering ourselves in noxious smelling deet! The island is really spectacular, from dozens of different species of butterflies and moths, to geckos and howler monkeys (they really aren't terribly loud :) ) There are mango, lemon, coconut and avocado trees, and pineapple bushes. We were there when only the coconuts and lemons were available, but we enjoyed those! The hosts, David and Linda (and their son, Russell) were always helpful and available to answer questions or help with arranging for transport to other islands,etc. Speaking of transport - Victor, the boat captain - is great! He really knows his way around the islands and is a very experienced and careful navigator/driver. He took us out to see some hump-backed whales (a baby and mother!) and to a great snorkeling beach. I am a bit leery of small boats, especially when the water is choppy - but I absolutely trusted Victor. The only small negatives I can think of (which are easily fixed) would be a) more hammocks. We fought over the one that was there. I was very happy the day I got to it first, because as I was lazily reading and occasionally gazing at the butterflies, I suddenly noticed a howler monkey, almost at eye-level and about 20 yards away. There were several more that were nearby, munching on leaves. The other suggestion I have is b) more lounging furniture. The couch is a very stylish, but not great for a family of 4 to lounge on together. A couple of large chairs that someone could curl up in would be nice.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amy G.

2 June 2016

Gorgeous property on a secluded island

The picture doesn't do this house justice, the actual property is stunning! It's almost like you walked into something from a design magazine. The Smiths (caretakers) and Victor (boat driver) were both super welcoming and helpful. We took day trips to different islands including Marine Park and Secas Islands and did some swimming and snorkeling. Victor also caught us some fresh fish that we grilled for dinner. Only thing I have to recommend for future guests is please plan out what you need (supplies, food etc.), because there is no stores around just all nature.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Eduardo B.

7 May 2016

Excelent place to enjoy the tropical islands of the Gulf of Chiriqui and catch some fish

I found this unique house located at Isla Muertos t be very convenient for my fishing trips, since We usually leave from mainland, close to David and head out to the islands of the Gulf of Chiriqui to catch our dinner. I had a group of 6 fishermen staying at the house for 10 days and everything was as expected for a fishing trip. House was clean and well equipped, including generator, air conditioning and a full kitchen. Fresh water can be a problem when the rain is poor, but was not an issue as the manager could store enough for showers and so on. The air conditioners help to cool down the house and it was very nice to go back after a full fishing day and have a cool house to relax and enjoy the sunset. Internet was good and kept us connected with our families. Very nice place to explore the Paridas Islands and the mangroves around the Boca Chica and Boca Brava area.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jill Z.

1 Mar 2016

Best Eco destination in Panama!

We chose Mango Bay Villa so work couldn’t find us! We decided on Panama as a destination because it is in the same time zone as the East Coast of the U.S, is on the dollar and, with direct flights to Panama City, we were able to relax more than travel during the week. Shawn (the owner), David and Linda (the caretakers), and Jose (David-town taxi driver) communicated with us regularly before we even left the States which eliminated much of our travel anxiety and made our arrival in David-town and transition to the Villa seamless. Jose took us to a grocery store for our staple items then showed us the best place to get amazing fresh fruit and local Panamanian cuisine before we left the mainland. Once in Pedregal we were introduced to Victor and his son Victor Jr. who transported us to the Villa via a breathtakingly beautiful water taxi trip. His knowledge of the mangroves as he maneuvered through the many islands and around the sand bars made our 9 year old daughter comment more than once, “this is better than going to Sea World.” (She had never been on a boat before—and enjoyed being on the open water). Upon our arrival, we were met at the dock by David, Linda and Perro (Mango Bay Villa’s unobtrusively sweet resident pooch), who were very helpful in getting us settled on the island. Once we were situated, David and Linda oriented us to the Villa’s amenities and explained how we could be in contact with them if needed. Our time at Mango Bay Villa proved to be exactly what we wanted from our family vacation. We woke each morning with the sun, to the sounds of the water in the front and the howler monkeys in the trees behind us, and to the sights and sounds of parrots who roosted near our bedroom. On our second day at Mango Bay Villa, Linda and David arranged for “the Victors” to pick us up early to explore Parqué Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí. Our first stop was a beautiful beach on an island that felt as if no person had stepped foot onto it in years. We found several wonderful large and intact shells, interesting volcanic rocks and even discovered a massive and natural swing created by a mangrove tree (great for family selfies!). We then traveled out further into open water where “the Victors” followed the pelicans to schools of fish. With “the Victors” as our trustworthy guides, we were able to snorkel offshore from another amazing island, see beautiful white coral amidst a backdrop of a black volcanic floor, startlingly colorful and crazy-lo

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cindy L.

27 Feb 2016

Beautiful home amidst amazing scenery

My family of seven had an amazing vacation at Mango Bay. We were met at the airport in the city David by Jose who transported us and our groceries (Jose purchased groceries for us in advance so we could get to the island asap) to the boat landing. Captain Victor, picked us up with two boats at the landing, and we had our first exciting boat ride. The islands are so beautiful. Caretakers David and Linda met us at Mango Bay, gave us a tour of the villa, and we got settled in. Each day was an adventure. One day, David & Linda setup a tent and chairs for us on the beach on Isla Boca Brava! Victor and his son, Brian, transported us there and back. We played in the ocean. Hunted for shells. We found abundant sand dollars! Make sure to plan activities early in the day! Then you can rest in the afternoon at the way cool Mango Bay! And prepare wonderful meals. We used the grill for most of our cooking. The solar system is way cool too! It is a good thing to be off the grid. We worked carefully with David and Linda on timing of AC usage, so we could minimize the use of the backup generator. One afternoon Victor cut down fresh coconuts for us all, and he skillfully used his machete to prepare them. We were able to drink the coconut water! Another day, Captain Daniel took us way out in the ocean to many islands! Daniel knows the people here. He is intuitive about what we would like to experience. With him we went to great island get aways. We saw crocodiles, sting rays, 100 year old trees, eco lodges, hidden beaches, dolphins, pelicans, two places where he has lived, his dear friends... We were able to snorkel, catch big fish, eat awesome watermelon, and experience way out there ocean and island stuff! Daniel also helped us with the boat ride back to Pedregal, which is close to the city of David. The fish that we caught with Daniel provided two wonderful evening meals. One day we just chilled at the Mango Bay Villas. Enjoyed the cool breeze, the warm sun, the high and low tides, the relaxing shaded decks, the magical howler monkeys that became our good mysterious friends and guardians through the week. We added a trip to Boquete on the end of our adventure. Jose was the perfect driver and guide to Boquete, and back to the David Airport. Shawn helped us connect with wonderful dear people who guided us in Panama City, in the city of David, out at Mango Bay, and in Boquete. We learned unexpected things from the people and nature every day!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

neill K., Oro-Medonte

4 Feb 2016

A Unique Travel Adventure

We just came back from Panama and we had a fabulous getaway at this villa. It is remote, quiet and a true taste of what Panama is really about. The owner Shawn was extremely informative. Everything was organized from the time we landed in David airport. Our diver who speaks English picked us up and drove us to the grocery store to get our necessities for the visit. We then drove to Pedegral Marina where we met the boat captain who drove us through the channels surrounded by mangroves to the Villa. We were welcomed by the house keepers who were very helpful showing us the villa and all the features of the property. The place is tastefully decorated and the views of the bay and mountains are incredible. The glass walls and thatched roof of the villa offer an amazing tropical experience inside and out. The Villa is well equipped with all of the amenities including a full kitchen, large en-suite with an amazing outdoor shower, Internet and TV. The deck is quite large and was great for dining outdoors. We used the boat services for a full day going to several beaches within the marine park(nice snorkeling) as well as isla Palenque where we saw a lot of monkeys. We went to lunch with our boat captain at the Boca Brava Hotel restaurant where we found affordable and good food. The ridge trail hike in the jungle on the island is quite the experience! I recommend this beautiful villa and location to anyone looking to experience the nature and natural beauty of this amazing country and live the natural experience.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gabrielle C.

20 Jan 2016

3 Nights Wasn't Enough!

We stayed at the villa for 3 nights and it was nothing short of an adventure-filled, exciting visit. The villa itself is beautiful, nestled in pristine rainforest and surrounded by a wide variety of tropical fruit trees. For adventure seekers like us, there was no shortage of activity. We spent a day and a half exploring the island by foot. We also spent a day out on the boat exploring the Chiriqui marine park, which is a quick ride away, where we practically had the whole ocean to ourselves. We were surprised by how few people we came across in such a beautiful place. Besides all the activities away from the villa, we also enjoyed the accommodations. The villa is comfortable and well-appointed. The kitchen is well-equipped for any cooking - there's no take out there! The deck around the villa has a gorgeous view out to sunrise. There is a small beach just down the hill near the dock for a quick dip after a sweaty day in the jungle. The bay is very quiet, with only the occasional fishing boat passing by. The local wildlife is very entertaining too!

About the host

Hosted by Shawn & Angie Money

I grew up in central British Columbia, Spent my summers at our log house, water skiing & the winters snowmobiling & skiing at our local ski hill. Later I met my future wife at a Bible college. I moved to Edmonton, Alberta & have stayed here with Angie for 30 years. We are proud of being Canadians, how ever we both are not fond of the 5 months of winter we have to endure. Hence the search for a place to go as refuge from our harsh winters. Actually our property is just as appealing in the summer as the temperature in Panama are in the low 30's. So it is nearly perfect in Panama then. IN Alberta it can be cool & wet even in July.

I have been investing in Real Estate for 20 year, worked in lending for 5 years & have been in the construction sector for many years. We have just finishing construction on our caretakers cottage/boat house. Now we have a competent North American manager & his family to see to the upkeep & act as a sort of Concierge for our guests. as we are on an island, a boat is the only way you are going to explore the area unless you really like to paddle!! Just kidding. I like to paddle, it is great exercise & I get a wicked tan. I never get hot (I still fall in occasionally) or cold as the water is so warm! I am wanting to set up a community of like minded families / investors who want to own a place to them selves or one or two month share of a tropical home to enjoy personally & share with their family & friends.

Why they chose this property

The airport just outside of David was just starting its expansion (it was completed 3 years ago now, very nice now) it was like a tacky greyhound station when I first came to David. New infrastructure is always a key to property appreciation. It is just a matter of time before David starts to get international fights from Houston & Miami. The cellular coverage is good. However most Panamanians now just get mobile data & use the phone app, Whats App to stay in touch with family & friends anywhere in the country or world..

We have high speed internet & are able to use our Netflix account & a Magic Jack phone to stay in touch with friends & family in Canada & the US. Panama's explosive GDP growth is also a major influence on my decision to invest in this country. They just paved the road to our nearest port. So we can make it to town in 20 minutes now!! We have a spring on our property so that is a must, most places on the island are not so lucky.
The property is unique, as it is really an untouched nature preserve. The local university still brings students to study the fauna. It is literally like stepping onto the set of Jurassic park. The sounds are the same & the birds & trees are a wonder! When I first came to view the property, there was a large school of Dolphins swimming right by the shore. The fisherman still fish for red Snapper off the point of the island. Last week I saw 3 small fishing boats anchored out around the point of the island, 400-600 meters away. We sometimes send our Panamanian caretaker out with a boat & he will pick up 10 fish for $10-15.
The local produce is awesome, we buy it in David or at the local fruit & vegetable stand not far from our port. Produce is abundant & inexpensive. On the island we have Coconuts, Bananas, Plantains, Mango & Avocado trees.The fishing is usually very good as well.

What makes this property unique

There is a walk for several kilometers along the top spine of the island, which allows you to see ocean & mountain views & see up close the vegetation that is unique to this area. The water in the morning is usually calm, sometimes it is like piece of glass. It has the nicest water for skiing I have ever seen. the water is 29-31 degrees & it is 24 degrees outside at 6 am. That is pretty much heaven for a guy with a water ski or a paddle board.. The fact that there are few boats with an engine larger than 10 hp. makes for water with out wakes from boats. Something you could never find on a lake in Canada during the summer. Boca Bravo island or the one next to it has miles of beach with not a soul around. I think there is some surfing there, many things have not been explored yet. It is like that here in Panama.