Hibiscus House - Contadora, Pearl Islands

Description from the owner

Accommodations: House, 5 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 4 Baths (Sleeps 9-11)

Newly remodeled in January 2008, this five bedroom, four bath tropical island home has it all! New furnishings, wireless internet access, jungle and nearby beaches. A pleasant five minute stroll from the nicest beaches in the Americas! The property features a large "bohio" (thatched hut) where you can relax in a hammock with your novel, grill the fish you caught this morning, or enjoy a cold Balboa beer or a glass of wine!

Contadora Island (Isla Contadora, as it is known in Spanish) lies at the northern end of the Pearl Island Archipelago. “The... Pearls” are Panama’s Pacific version of the popular Bocas del Tora and San Blas islands of the Caribbean side. However, where the Caribbean islands are often drenched during rainy season, during our rainy season on Contadora it usually only rains for a few hours during the late afternoon or in the evening. The rest of the day is sunny and ideal for sun lovers. Those who love to fish can go out daily with a local who will fillet the fish so you can cook it up for dinner, or you can take it to a restaurant that will cook it up for you.

As a year round vacation spot, The Pearls have been home to three seasons of the popular CBS television series “Survivor”, with Contadora serving as the show’s base of operations.

Contadora island is situated approximately 30 miles off the country's Pacific coast, making it a mere 15 minute flight from Panama City. The Island has numerous private homes, and acts as a refuge for many of Panama's most wealthy families. Main roads on the island are paved and some back roads are dirt. Most streets are lighted and can be safely explored day or night. There is, however, not even a single traffic light! A typical Contadora “traffic jam” consists of only two vehicles! While there are cars and pick-ups on the island, transportation is normally limited to golf carts, four wheelers, scooters and bicycles – some of which can be rented by the hour or day.

There are eleven beaches on the island. All have white sand and protected coves. The water is turquoise and teeming with tropical fish. Panama's only nude beach is found on Contadora Island, on it's southern side. All of Panama’s beaches are public by law. For a truly private beach experience, hire a local boat captain to drop you off on one of the nearby uninhabited islands for the day.

The island boasts several restaurants, including both European and local Panamanian specialties. There are three small grocery stores, a medical clinic that is open ever day, a small police force and one gas pump! There are no banks or ATMs on the island, so bring all the cash you think you will need.

The waters surrounding Contadora Island are typically warm (cool in February), turquoise colored, and ideal for swimming or snorkeling. Scuba diving, snorkeling, jet skiing, sport fishing, and boat tours are available on the island. Humpback whales here and in an abundance from July - October during calving season.

Staying in Contadora Hibiscus House provides the ideal environment from which to enjoy all of the nature of the Pearl Island Archipelago. At the end of each day relaxing on the decks with your family and friends and having a cook out of the fish you caught that morning is a fine way to enjoy your vacation.Read more

Additional Location Information

On the island of Contadora, 5mins walk, 2min golf cart ride to any of the 4 crystal water beaches. Excellent quiet roads, tropical landscape.

Location Type Away from it all, Ocean, Tropical

Rental fees

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• kellystanley
  Panama City, Panama

  Home from Home

  Left on 04/12/2013 for a stay in March 2013
  
  

  We have travelled backwards and forwards from England to Panama for over seven years now. We always treat our selves to a stay in Contadora as it is our favorite place in Panama to get away. We have always stayed at the Hibiscus House and now it has become home from home to us. We knew the owners before and we have come to know the owners now and are so happy that allan has his own plane and can fly you in and out cheaper if there are a few of you traveling, than what it costs for the air Panama flights. You can hire the whole house also if you are a family or a group and the choice of a private room if needed. The rooms are spacious, well furnished and clean and accommodate young children if a bed on the floor or in need or a space for a cot. Great dinning area and tv room... Bbqs at night to cook up the fish you caught in the day... We love it x x x If you need some help for cleaning or cooking up some yummy food all u need to do is ask... Perfect get away ...

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Groups, Families w children

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• KipnDag
  Seattle, Washington

  An Oasis with Yummy Pancakes

  Left on 04/01/2013 for a stay in March 2013
  
  

  We recently traveled to Panama and took a brief 2 night trip out to Contadora. Hibiscus House was recommended at the ferry which is where we stayed. What an amazing experience. Great private rooms with ensuite bathroom, big terraces to enjoy our coffee or evening cocktail on, a few minutes from the beaches and 2 yummy breakfasts. Not sure how the 1 not so great rating could find their host anything but gracious. Allan and Karyn couldn't do enough for us and we fell in love with Nina who we would have gladly packed in our suitcase and took her home. For any future travelers, we would highly recommend Hibiscus House...rent a golf cart, check out the Survivor Series set up and production on Playa Larga and enjoy all of the great beaches.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Groups, Families w children

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• 686David_P
  Ha, Bhutan

  The Perfect Getaway

  Left on 03/31/2013 for a stay in March 2013
  
  

  My Wife and I were lucky enough to stumble upon Hibiscus House while on vacation in Panama. Fortunately, there was space available and I wouldn't have preferred to stay anywhere else. Allan flew in and met us at the beach upon our arrival, he had a golf cart ready for us and showed us most of the Island, and the best beaches on the way back to the house. The house is clean, private, and relaxing. Allan made us a great breakfast each morning.
  
  Isla Contadora is a small island so you may run into allan around the Island and he was always very helpful to point us in the right direction, or just have a friendly conversation. It truly is a little Paradise and we're already trying to encourage our friends to join us to rent the whole house for another getaway to Hibiscus House. I'd highly recommend you make an effort to stay here, and bring your friends!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Groups, Families w children

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• Shirley Clarkson
  Vancouver

  Paradise found!

  Left on 03/12/2013 for a stay in March 2013
  
  

  I visited Hibiscus House with my sister and our girlfriend for two nights March 5th and 6th 2013.
  
  Our trip began with a wonderful flight in allan's Piper aircraft. It was a short and scenic flight. Allan is a competent professional pilot and I was very excited when we touched down on Isla Contadora.
  
  Golf carts were waiting to transport us and our luggage to Hibiscus House. This lovely bed and breakfast is located in a quiet neighborhood on the Island. It's a short walk or golf cart ride to any of the beautiful beaches on the Island.
  
  Allan is a very gracious host and made me feel like his home was our home. We had a lovely air conditioned suite with a king sized bed in one room and a twin in the other. The three of us shared a bathroom with a fabulous shower. The B&B; has two large patios with tables, chairs and loungers for enjoying meals, sunbathing or reading a good book.
  
  Allan provided us with a great breakfast each morning (he makes a mean fruit salad and pancakes to die for).
  He recommended a great restaurant for our first dinner and on the second night we "cooked our catch" on his barbecue and shared a great meal.
  
  There are lots of activities to keep you busy on the Island (fishing, snorkelling, sunbathing).
  
  I can't wait to return to Contadora, it's so relaxing and beautiful. It was difficult to leave the Island, but I'll definitely be back.
  
  Thank you allan and Karyn for a wonderful stay.
  

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Luxury, Families, Rugged

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• DustMonkeyPanama
  Nueva Gorgona, Panama

  He'd rather be flying...

  Left on 02/06/2013 for a stay in February 2013
  
  

  My husband and I travel frequently and live here in Panama. We are very familiar with Panamanian tourism and lodgings; we also have realistic expectations of remote places like Contadora Island. This was my 2nd time on Island. We invited our friend who was visiting us from the states. Because Hibiscus House is owned by a fellow expat, we incorrectly assumed it would be closer to expat standards. Sadly, it turned out to be only a B&B; in its marketing and its price. The kitchen was filthy and although we were told we could cook there, it was hardly equipped for anything but microwaving a frozen dinner. There was a new grill however and we were the first to use it - we even invited owner allan to join us for dinner, and he did, although none of us remembered even a thank you afterwards. The next morning we wished we had also made our own breakfasts - Allan served us up some pretty awful stuff: under-cooked bacon and dried out eggs on day one, artificial syrup and boxed mixed pancakes on day two. The fruit salad was decent but hey, if you can't get fruit right in Panama then something is really wrong!. Generally, we felt like we were just an imposition on our host - for example, he made no move to go and get milk and sugar for our morning coffee saying, "we must be out". On the plus side - the beds were comfy, there was aC and hot water, the place is quiet. For a pilot with his own plane (and yes, Allan successfully flew us there and back) Hibiscus House reeks of not being maintained (my husband even rescued the thirsty plants on the terrace) and doesn't even have the little niceties like shampoo (we always travel prepared but for $100+ per night, come on!) But wait, there's more. the worst part of this stay was that allan charged us $40 per day for the use of a golf cart. Alan has several dirty, broken down carts he works on right in front of the place The one we rented upon arrival, seemed to run well enough, but when we woke up in the am, it was gone - Allan had re-rented it to someone else! He gave us another one, which broke down and required pushing and several starts while we were puttering about the Island. When we said we would not take that one out again, he gave us another one. But, that one wouldn't start when we were about to leave for dinner - we wound up hitching a ride to the restaurant and walking back in the dark (we didn't know where we were going or how far it was). Allan assured us that it was operator error (oh come on - its a golf cart for pete's sake!). On the runway, ready to take off, he answered his cell phone - it was the guy he just left our last golf cart with - he couldn't get it started either! Yet, Alan never apologized or offered to give us back our money for the carts he shouldn't rent out in the first place. We wanted a safe flight home so we decided against saying anything more and just chalk it up to experience. It was just so tacky an operation, run by someone who would rather be flying his plane then learning how to make a nice breakfast for paying guests. There are other, better options on Contadora. We enjoyed Gerard's when we were last there but wanted to try something different and that's what we got - something different. In the end, all three of us felt like we were treated disrespectfully - not as welcome guests, but as barely tolerated in order to help fund a pilot's gas tank...I use Trip advisor all the time, yet this is my first review - I knew I must write this because I owe it to others who always help me choose where to spend my travel dollars wisely.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? No

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  Response from Karyn Saunders and Allan Breadner - 03/11/2013

  

  Karyn Saunders and Allan Breadner

  Owner

  Lauren,
  
  Thanks for your positive comments on our comfy beds, hot water and air conditioning and I was also happy to hear that you enjoyed the flight to the island and back. Your main problems seem to be the golf cart and the 2 breakfasts at the house during your stay. Our price of $40 per day for a golf cart rental is the best price on the island and you were aware of the price in advance of your arrival. Other places rent carts for up to $25 per hour or $75 per day. When Shelly informed me of your problems with the first cart I immediately investigated and took it for a ride, not seeing the problems she indicated. I then asked Shelly if she could take it for a ride with me to show me the problem. She did and agreed with me that all was fine. Even so I gave Shelly the keys to the cart I had been using for the last few days and offered to go for a ride with her in that one to check that all was fine. She accepted the cart but declined to go on a test drive with me. She indicated that you were all going to go for a ride to check out the beaches and then enjoy the sunset. Instead, you all went to bed and slept for the afternoon. I was then surprised when you told me that you were unable to get the new cart started to drive to dinner. I immediately checked this out and the cart started and ran fine for me. I was also surprised to find that Chuck had tried to take one of the other carts and drove it into a wall. It’s also strange that you were unable to find your way home from the restaurant in the dark, and didn’t know where it was or how far. The restaurant is a 10 minute walk from the house. I had driven there and back with you personally the day before. You had driven there and back yourselves on the second day and someone gave you a lift to it later that day. After travelling the short route 5 times in a little over a day I’m surprised you weren’t able to find your way even at night as the streets are brightly lit by street lamps. Even after all that, when Shelly asked me if you could use the cart for a couple extra hours the early next morning I agreed. Unfortunately that didn’t work as you all slept in. When you then asked me if you could use the cart for a couple more hours after check out at 11, I also agreed, so I think you were more than fairly compensated for any golf cart problems you had.
  
  To your comments on dinner and breakfast – I thanked you two times for including me in dinner the first night, once that night and again in the morning, but thanks again for that. It’s unfortunate the first indication I had that you didn’t enjoy your breakfast is 3 weeks after your departure. Had you told me at the time that you felt your bacon was undercooked it would have been quite easy for it to cook it further. If I had been told at the time that you felt your eggs were dry I could have cooked more eggs for you. Very strange that with your criticism of the bacon and eggs the first day that at least one of you wanted bacon and eggs the second day as well. I’m not sure what the significance is of the pancake mix coming from a box. I routinely get rave reviews on my (box) pancakes and have had people ask me what kind of mix I use so they can buy the same for themselves.
  
  I honestly have no idea where you comment about the kitchen not being fully stocked comes from. It is, and we routinely have large families or groups of friends renting the entire house and cooking most or all of their meals there. If you would like to offer specifics on what is missing I am happy to listen.
  
  Your comments did surprise me initially but after taking a little time to reflect on your actions and behavior on the island I should not have been surprised. You behavior on the island was quite strange to say the least and it was obvious something wasn’t right. You had told me the first day that you (and likely Chuck) had taken Ambien and talked at dinner the first night about your doctor friend who prescribes just the right amount of some drug to give the perfect high. I suspect that this coupled with the alcohol intake is responsible for you spending much of the days in your room sleeping, your inability to follow simple directions and instructions, and the hazy view of your time on the island.
  
  I’ll also let you know now, that I came close to leaving Chuck behind on the island the day we flew out. You may remember when he threw the temper tantrum while standing beside my plane. When you were unable to locate Shelly he blew up and started throwing rocks. For the safety of myself, my aircraft and the others flying with me I didn’t want someone like this on the flight as his behavior was very erratic. He did calm down and I had him sit in the middle where he couldn’t easily interfere with the flight controls if he threw another tantrum. Thankfully I gave him a second chance and he was calm during the flight but I can assure you that if he displayed this type of behavior before boarding a commercial flight in the US or anywhere else, security would have escorted him from the premises.
  
  Allan
  

• SuperiorHires
  Panama City, Panama

  Charming Hosts on a Charming Island

  Left on 10/04/2012 for a stay in December 2011
  
  

  Hosts were very welcoming and helpful. The rooms were nice. Great breakfasts in the morning. Much to do on the island and received good suggestions for coinciding activities.

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• Darcey
  Edmonton, Alberta Canada

  One incredible weekend!

  Left on 09/13/2012 for a stay in August 2012
  
  

  Society has forced each and everyone of us to keep up, but now and then we need to take time out for ourselves. A must... Contadora! wow... There is nothing like it! We stayed at the Hibiscus house, (bed and breakfast)awoke each morning to an incredible breakfast, then spent the day discovering the island. From Whale watching,snorkeling,scuba diving,fishing or just an afternoon on the terrace, whatever your pleasure this has it all. At the end of the day, cozy up at the hibiscus house, for some wonderful stories with great people. Thank you so very much for an incredible weekend!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Disabilities, Luxury, Families, Rugged

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  Was this review helpful? Yes