The Balboa Inn

Our favorite place had no space and after some Googling we ran into the Balboa Inn which opened just a month ago after extensive renovations.

It's run by a Dutch couple and the way they are going, I'm sure it's going to be a very popular B&B in the near future.

First of all, the location is ideal. Balboa is in what used to be the American Canal Zone. A very green, quiet and safe neighborhood. Close to the city, yet with its own atmosphere. The domestic airport is just 5 minutes away. The Amador Causeway (rent a bicycle!) a 10 minute walk and being at the slopes of Ancon hill it's a great hike all the way to the top.

Secondly, the inn itself is very nice. A huge (covered) terrace surrounded by a beautiful garden! We saw 4 tucans just hopping around the first day! The rooms are not huge but have all the amenities you need and small but well equipped private bathrooms.

But like most B&B's the personal attention of the owners makes the difference between just a place to stay or a great lodging experience.

Saskia & Thorwald are going out of their way to make sure their guests are making the most out of their stay in Panama and enjoy their time at the Balboa Inn. Their Colombian assistant Sandra is a jewel.

If you need an affordable place to stay from where to explore Panama City and surroundings, go for the Balboa Inn.

Balboa Inn Bed & Breakfast
Aug 2008


On a recent trip to Panama City Panama we stayed at our first bed and breakfast-‘The Balboa Inn’. What a treasure! While they had opened in June and were still in the remodeling stage, the rooms were very clean…..white sox walk on the floor clean.
The location we liked because it was quiet. It is near the Panama Canal Administration area in a very nice residential neighborhood.
While it is away from downtown, it is centrally located if you wish to visit the beaches. Image eating a nice buffet breakfast on the covered terrace. Now add listening to and watching the tropical birds. Itspoiled us.
Saskia and Thorwald , your hosts, along with their staff, literally do their utmost to make your stay not only pleasant, but memorable. And the cost is very reasonable.
The best way to judge any establishment is would you recommend this to others and would you come back.
The answer is quite simply-Yes…yes!

We found the Balboa Inn thanks to TravBuddy and Scotty is right, this 'new kid' deserves a recommendation.

We used it as our 'home' to explore Panama and surrounding attractions and loved it. The friendly Dutch/Panamanian staff, the location, the covered garden terrace with all the birds and their sounds and yet, you're only a 5 minute drive from Casco Viejo and Amador.

The American breakfast is very complete and on Saturday we even had 'Gallo Pinto' which reminded us of Costa Rica (the owners lived there many years).

Their travel assistance is invaluable and really helped us to maximize our time. The trips to the Embara Village with Anne Gordon and the train trip to Colon and continuatin to Ft. Lorenzo and the beaches where unforgettable.

We had a great time. Panama rocks! Thank you Balboa Inn.