The shower only had extremely hot water or cold/room temperature water and the bed is two twin mattresses pushed together. Neither of these things stopped me from enjoying my time here, or wanting to come back, but I mention them just so others can set their expectations accordingly.

Owners are awesome people, friendly and attentive. Location is perfect for scuba/snorkel excursions (1 minute to walk to the dive shops). Restaurant has fantastic food.

Stayed in July 2025

Woulda loved a cup of coffee in the morning.... :)

The staff is amazing ! Chris and Juan run a tight ship and the restaurant is incredible. The daily menu and food preparation isn't something that you would expect at an "end of the road" beach town. Exquisite flavors and presentation, fresh seafood done RIGHT ! Really enjoyed interacting with both of these interesting people.

Stayed in April 2025

Parking is a bit of an issue but not a game changer.

Staff extremely friendly and helpful...an absolute pleasure

Stayed in April 2025

I wish I could give an all 10+ rating: the hosts are so accommodating, but: I simply didn't sleep well. There's a dog and a rooster next door, and I really wanted to order them for breakfast the next morning. I got about 4 hours of sleep. The second night was a little better (ear plugs). I could only get the hot water to work once: either it takes a long time to reach the room, or it is off occasionally. This didn't bother me enough to complain or investigate.

The hosts José and Christine were wonderful, the room was a generous size, and the food was superb: José is a master in the kitchen. The A/C is modern and efficient, and having the restaurant downstairs is very convenient. Breakfast and dinner were excellent (the grouper!!). Close to a hostel a few houses down the street (towards the beach) where you can rent kayaks for a nice trip to Santa Catalina island.

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing keeping me from coming back again! However, the cord to change the speed of the fan is very hard to reach (in both rooms) - a string/extension would be nice. The room which looks out over the deck area has a glass door, so the light from the deck lights up the room at night - a curtain over the door would really help. Warm water only lasted a few seconds (but I take quick showers and turn on/off water to conserve it, so maybe I didn't run it long enough). This is not a big deal at all in Santa Catalina - tap water doesn't get too cold anyway and you'll be hot and sweaty to start with!

Overall, I am very happy with this hotel and chose to stay there again for my second trip to Santa Catalina. Both rooms were a good size and clean, the bed was big and comfortable, the staff are very friendly/ helpful. There's a deck / common area which is nice to sit and relax. The food in the restaurant is excellent and probably the best in Santa Catalina.

Stayed in April 2025

Not much parking but it isn’t the hotel’s fault.

Really good food in the restaurant served by a real French chef. (Juan) Big rooms with AC extremely clean.

Stayed in February 2025

Nothing

It was a hotel that felt like a family home. The restaurant is very popular and Juan is a great chef. I just felt at home. The big porch invites conversation between guests. Christina is very kind and runs a tight ship. I liked it so much, I’m returning next month with my whole family.

Stayed in February 2025

Nothing

Food was delicious and the hosts were very welcoming and made my stay!

Stayed in January 2025

Everything is great, Juan is a great host, super friendly. The food at the restaurant is delicious. The location is very central and the rooms are nice and clean. I thoroughly loved my stay here!

Stayed in February 2025

This hotel is a gem! It is cosy and comfortable and it has a very nice bar and restaurant area. The restaurant has the best food we have had in Santa Catalina. We ate there twice, and it was amazing both times. The owners are very welcoming and helpful. They can organise Coiba trips for you and get your laundry done. They speak both English, French and Spanish. The place was clean, had a nice terrace outside the rooms and good wifi. Highly recommend it!

Stayed in December 2024

The owner Juan is from Spain and speaks german and english very good, which was very helpful for us. We had nice conversations with him and he could answer a lot of questions about Panama and Southamerica. He cooks very good I can recommend it- must try! Juan and his wife are very nice people. Thank you Juan!

Stayed in November 2024

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We had a really nice stay at Iguanito. Chris and Juan are exceptional hosts and help you with any question or problem. The room is basic but clean and the terrace are is very nice. The food served in the restaurant was among the best we had in Panama for sure. We would stay at Iguanito again for sure if we were about to come back to Santa Cantalina.

Stayed in November 2024

Extremely friendly and helpful staff, great area just a short distance from the beach and town. Nice room with a lot of space

Stayed in August 2024

We have no complaints

The two owners Chris and Juan are incredible. They helped schedule all of our various activities for us, as well as our shuttle back to Panama City. They served us each morning before our outings and all the food and cocktails we got from the restaurant were excellent. Consistently some of the best food and drinks we had in Panama.

Stayed in August 2024

Lack of noise insulation of the rooms.

Amazing food at the restaurant, very friendly staff.

Stayed in July 2024

Little patio to sit was great. The hotel is nicely located in the centre of Santa Catalina.

Stayed in August 2024

Nothing

Everything! Good rooms, airco, terrace, location!

Stayed in February 2024

Centrally located, Excellent, kind staff. Owners Chis and Juan were super friendly and helpful. Juan is an artist in the kitchen, has to be the best food in Santa Catalina in on site restaurant. Comfortable place to hand out in hammock on porch with good internet.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing to report. Perfect place to stay, great value for money.

Lovely welcome. Great price for location. Spotlessly clean. Comfy bed. Excellent base to explore Santa Catalina.

Stayed in April 2024

Central for everything around Santa Catalina, simple but clean rooms, extremely nice owners - we spent nice four days there!

Stayed in March 2024

A very comfortable place. The rooms are well designed for travellers: clean, spacious and comfy. The Hotel is close to the beach and to the place to start excursions to Coiba Islands and the Park. But the plus value of the place is given by the owners, a very kind couple with a warm sense of hospitality. You won’t find anything better in this place!

Stayed in March 2024

Really enjoyed the outside area. Restaurant served great food. Location perfect!

Stayed in March 2024

Very nice hosts and spacious and clean rooms. The hotel is situated in a great location close to all the restaurants and the beach

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

We loved our stay! The room is very spacious and clean and we enjoyed the nice terrace with a hammock and lounge chairs. The lovely owners really helped us out when we forgot two items in the room, they arranged that a shuttle service brought it with them to our next stay (in Boquete). Would highly recommend this place!

Stayed in January 2024