This is paradise!

Guest: Marvin (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 12/09/11 Review Submitted: 12/19/11

I've stayed in a lot of VRBO.com properties around the world. El Rio Encantado is as special as they get. The owner has carved out an incredible nature-reserve out of a river valley about 15 minutes from the well-known town of Boquete. There are 3 guest cottages on various levels of the valley, with a beautiful pool and cabana area right in the middle. The owner is an expert on Central America and there are reproductions of pre-Columbian statuary, as well as (new) petroglyphs and a turtle carved on a large boulder that the pool was built around. The reserve has a number of trails throughout the 140 acres, along the river and through the jungle. The river has a long sandy beach and two different 'swimming holes'. The village of Caldera is just down the road where guests can eat at Melissa's for next to nothing, as well as buying foodstuffs at a small but well-stocked grocer. There are petroglyphs in the village as well. I spent much of my time there talking with the owner about the reserve and his travels and wandering the trails, taking pictures of the vast gardens, the natural flora and fauna, and the incredible bird life. I saw two varieties of toucans, parrots, various raptors, hummingbirds, and numerous other tropical birds. It's a birder's delight. I was sad to have to leave and can't wait to return.

Owner response:IF I HAD ALL MY GUESTS LIKE YOU, I WOULD INDEED NEVER BE WORKING. JUST HAD A COUPLE, WHO HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A SHOWER WITH-OUT HOT WATER, THE ON DEMAND HEATER WENT OUT AS MANY THINGS DO HERE IN PANAMA,THEY WANTED TO LEAVE RIGHT AWAY, SO I"D BEST POST SOME COMMENTS ABOUT LIFE OUT SIDE THE 1ST WORLD. THANKS AGAIN, SEE YA SOON

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.

Loved it!!

Guest: Bari (Harrisonburg, VA USA)
Date of Stay: 08/31/11 Review Submitted: 10/27/11

We were there in late August, early September. Wanted to check out the rainy season. At least part of it. Rain wasn't bad. It was sunny until the afternoon. We had a wonderful time and are going back there in January. This time we may never leave :)

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

Absoutely Beautiful

Guest: Mike & Mary (Denver, Colorado, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

El Rio Encantado is a beautiful nature reserve and is kept up wonderfully by Frank and his staff. The Cabins are all lovely. We stayed in the cabin by the river for a week and the mornings were positively our favorite time of day. It was so relaxing to sit on the patio, drink our coffee (won-derful Panamanian coffee), and listen to and watch nature and the river. The cabins are so com-fortable and sleeping with the sound of the river right outside of our window was extremely soothing. We have to admit that the second night we were there it rained very heavily, the river was rising, and Mary was a bit nervous, but Frank came down and assured us we would be safe. Frank was extremely helpful with directions, suggestions, and advice on things we could do, places to eat, tours to take, and how to get there. We enjoyed our stay at El Rio Encantado with Frank and Mo and look forward to making a return trip some day. Thanks for everything Frank!

Owner response:The cabin on the river is special for nature lovers, but when the river is up , it can be scary for guests who do not know the river. But part of the adventure, eh? Come on back, thanks for the visit. Frank

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Paradise Found

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/14/11

Frank you know how I feel about your property. For someone who has seen it all like you, it is truly Paradise Found...there are very few places like this left in the world...Warning this is not a place for people who are not comfortable with being in nature, sorry no sirens, barking dogs, horns honking, motorcycles,loud radios etc. like you would find in a town or city. If you need this don't come here. If you want to see and feel what the world was like before man ruined it, then THIS IS THE PLACE.... Thank you for 2 wonderful weeks, see you in Bali....

Owner response:thanks, really enjoyed your company, guests like you make it all worthwhile

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, romantic getaway.

Rio Encantado - Nature Reserve

Guest: scott (albuquerque, new mexico)
Date of Stay: 05/01/11 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

I stayed at the Rio Encantado the first two weeks of May 2010. This was my first trip to the northern part of Panama and Frank's place was not only a good place to set up home but a place to see David, Boquete, Volcan, Bocas Del Toro and the beaches south of David. I used the buses and public transportation and this entailed some waiting etc., but Frank or Jose can arrange a rental car for any guests who ask.I actually found the Rio Encantado to be more impressive than the photos showed on vrbo.com I was travelling alone and found the " river cottage " to be more than enough for one or two persons. It was right on the river and was very cool at night even in May. There were fans to move the air but the sound of the river was much like a nature CD. Other casitas are equally well furnished and comfortable. I would recommend travelers consider booking for extended stays. With the pool, lots of hiking trails, wifi and cable tv for those who are inclined, great sitting and reading areas under your own front porch,a stream to fish in, a real Panamanian town just down the road a few miles, there are plenty of things to do if you put your mind to it. All charges were as quoted and there were no additional charges except for having my laundry done and getting some great chef meals cooked up by Paulo. Mo is Franks German Shepherd, and follows him everywhere but Mo will chase the stick into the river if you let him know you will throw it for him. The grounds of Rio Encantado are actually extraordinary and have both indigineous and non indigineous plants growing there. It is a virtual greenhouse of color. Sprinkled around the place are some Pre Columbian statues that get your attention and a huge swimming pool area with a big rock in the shallow end of the pool with a turtle painted on it. The " rancho " area is a good place to check e mails, visit with other guests, or entertain friends and/or family who come to see you.If you ask Frank for some of his stories he will be able to come up with a few and he has been in Panama long enough to know lots about local people, customs, real estate, and so forth. He was a good host. Overall, I loved the place and intend to return for a month because I believe renting for a month beats buying. Staying at Rio Encantado makes the Chiriqui Province accessible.It is in a natural setting and a rural setting. I think it is a great place to chill out and still learn about Panama. Highly recommended!!!

Owner response:thank you for your comments and stay, you were good company. You will have to return to catch that fish for dinner and you already have a fishing pole that you left here. Thanks again, see you here. Regards, Salud, Frank

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.

A nature lover's paradise....the lost continent, spectacular!

Guest: Cam and Linda (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Date of Stay: 03/08/11 Review Submitted: 03/28/11

My husband and spent one full week in Caldera the second week in March and absolutely loved our time there....the weather was perfect, we could dine out ever night as it did not get cold or windy as if often does in Boquete......the river is spectacular for swimming in and wonderful to listen to from the front porch......Frank was a wonderful host and provided us with everything we needed for our enjoyment and was able to answer questions about the area.....it would be important to rent a vehicle to do some exploring from this location...you will love it,love it love!! Kudos to Joses and Paulo for making us feel so comfortable. We totally recommend this location to anyone who truly loves nature and all flora and fawna......Frank has done an amazing job creating this place called " Eden" thanks so much,

Owner response:Thanks so much, really enjoyed you company. Lets keepin touch Be safe, Frank

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, pet owners, age 55+, romantic getaway.

loved cabin # 1

Guest: Altarose (Alberta Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/24/11 Review Submitted: 03/28/11

Recently we enjoyed a week stay in cabin # 1 which was the BEST rental we had on a 6 week vaction in Costa Rica and Panama. Frank has a real gem of nature, we loved sitting on our porch watching the river and birds. The pool is a welcome feature that we enjoyed daily. The cabins are perfectly appointed and comfortable. The trails surrounding the property are lovely and full of birds. Frank was a very hospitable host with lots of information and love of the property . One point we noticed the property is exactly as described , many are not. Thanks again Frank we have been telling everyone about your lovely property.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers.

Nature Lover's Paradise

Guest: Bill (Fresno, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 02/17/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

During our recent trip to Panama we were fortunate enough to land a two-night stay in the guest house at Rio Encantado. It was the highlight of our 2-week vacation. After spending several days in Bocas Del Toro we decided to head inland to check out the Boquete area. As Goldilocks might say, Boquete was too cold, David was too hot, but Frank's place in Caldera was just right. RIO ENCANTADO IS NOT FOR RESORT-ORIENTED TRAVELERS. If you're not into swimming in the river, walking along a nature trail or alongside the river bank, or just sitting on your porch soaking up the splendid sights of nature all around you, DON'T go to Frank's place. While the accommodations are absolutely first-rate, Rio Encantado is set in the middle of a nature preserve, so you need to be self-sufficient. If you decide to stay here, you'll need to either have your own car to travel to one of the nearby towns for dining and/or you'll need to stock up on supplies to feed yourselves (all the cabins have full kitchens). While all the cabins at Rio Encantado have televisions and internet access, don't waste your time there wallowing in technology. Turn off the TV, close the laptop and enjoy one of the rarest natural settings on earth. Frank and his German Shepherd Mo are consummate hosts. Frank's love of the place is obvious. He rescued the property from being burned to the ground and reinvigorated it as a nature preserve. The weather is perfect here. It never gets below 65-degrees at night and never above 95-degrees during the day. Humidity is minimal. The river is a perfect swimming temperature at about 80-degrees and there are no mosquitoes! While Frank has a lovely swimming pool, there's no sense in wasting time there when the river is so close and so much more enjoyable for swimming. This is not a family-oriented establishment. The beauty and the peace and quiet are reserved for adults only. Go visit Frank and Mo for a swim in the river and one of the most memorable nature experiences of your life!

Owner response:Such a reward to encounter guests who do not just stay here , sit on the porch, play internet and tv but people that actually use & enjoy what nature provides. It does amaze me how many guests have stayed here and NEVER venture down the trails or even use the pool. At 1st I did not want to provide TV or wi-fi, but as one friend told me " Why complain , they never venture out or use any of your facitities"

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Gorgeous Nature Retreat

Guest: obi10 (Playa Blanca Panama)
Date of Stay: 03/04/11 Review Submitted: 03/12/11

We stayed at Franks' place for 4 nights to escape the Carnival madness where we live in Panama. As a nature retreat it's the real deal & perfect for people who love nature in all her noisy exuberance. Instead of party hearty Carnival revelers we listened to the soothing sounds of nature: the river running by our cozy cabin, the nightly serenade of frogs & bugs lulling us to sleep & the cheery chirping of birds waking us to another fun day at Franks'! We hiked the trails, swam in the river pool & never even left the property except to drive down the road for lunch at Melissa's. Does it get any better? We think not & look forward to a return visit! Thanks Frank!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers.

A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

Guest: Rose (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/22/10 Review Submitted: 11/14/10

My husband and I were delighted with every single aspect of this captivating sanctuary. We spent two months here and every day was enchanting. Our attractive, bright, modern, cabin was perfectly designed to anticipate our needs. Frank, our generous and friendly host, has created a stunning private paradise here in the midst of verdant, colourful jungle. The capacious, attractive swimming pool is cleverly situated beside the magnificent river, and everywhere one looks there are colourful plants in abundance and one's senses seem to be stolen away by this stunning environment. We would heartily recommend this place to anyone seeking nature's solace. Frank and his staff are there whenever needed and they are all pleasant and respectful. My husband and I came here with a view to exploring much of the "highlands of Panama", for which it is well placed: however, we largely failed in this objective because we were so content just to sit on the patio of our cabin and breathe in the beauty which enveloped us there! Frank, well done and thank you! What more can I say?

Owner response:My pleasure to have your company for a couple of months, please come back with the rest of the family. Your friend, Frank

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.