Welcome to El Rio Encantado, a 100 Acre "River Nature Reserve"

• A little bit of Paradise

  A little bit of Paradise

  • Guest Lois M.
  • Date of stay 01/14/13
  • Review Submitted 01/29/13
  We spent 3 nights at Rio Encantado. Each day we felt like we were spending a little time in Paradise. This is a beautiful, tranquil location that has been tastefully developed and exceptionally maintained. We loved falling asleep and waking to the sound of the water running over the rocks in the river below our cottage. We found the climate at this altitude was perfect--hot days and cool nights and although the cottage was air conditioned, we found that by leaving the windows open at night we were very comfortable without A/C. We especially enjoyed eating breakfast on the deck in front of the cottage, listening to the birds and the river, watching squirrels and hummingbirds. Frank gave us numerous helpful suggestions as well as arranged tours, and gave us a glimpse of Panamanian culture. Overall it was a very enjoyable stay (too short) and we would highly recommend the accommodation.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

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• What A Great Choice

  What A Great Choice

  • Guest Alana
  • Date of stay 01/01/13
  • Review Submitted 01/16/13
  It was my pleasure to spend the first two weeks of 2013 at Rio Encantado. It's even better than it looks on the web page, and it looks great. The owner has protected and improved this piece of property and created a beautiful, comfortable, artistic retreat complete with 3 charming cottages, cool spring fed swimming pool, amazing gardens, and common outdoor gathering area. The swimming holes in the river are a bonus, as is falling asleep to its sound. I was worried that I would find Panama too hot, but was delighted to find the temperature not only bearable, but really nice. The sheltered location cooled by trees and the nearby river was so comfortable. Add a friendly, generous owner and his business manager and you get a wonderful time. The place is out in the country, not near city action, but if you enjoy nature with an upscale twist you are likely to be very impressed and quite possibly delighted when you get there. I felt safe and secure even traveling alone. Next time I would rent a car, though I had a very enjoyable time even without one. Thank you Frank and Jose

  Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, tourists without a car.

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• A wonderful experience

  A wonderful experience

  • Guest Travel girl
  • Date of stay 10/18/12
  • Review Submitted 11/11/12
  We stayed for 3 days at Rio Encantado in October 2012. I can't say enough about this amazing place. From the unbelievable location right on the Caldera River to the lush and beautiful well kept grounds, this is a true find that you have to experience for yourself. Frank was a wonderful host; giving us a tour of his property along with his wonderful dog Mo. His knowledge of the area is amazing and he is a great storyteller. Our cabin #2 was perfect in every way. Spacious, clean and comfortable. Plenty of hot water which for me is a necessity!! This is a very special place in Panama. There is plenty to do-Boquete is a quick 30 minute drive away and the little town of Caldera has a wonderful local restaurant called Melissa's. We came in the "green" season with rain every afternoon, but it is easy to get up early to enjoy the weather before the clouds move in. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Rio Encantado and recommend this to travelers who are seeking something outside the normal resort. It is private, serene and peaceful. Thank you Frank for allowing us to share this special place.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: Thank you, it makes it all worthwhile when I can share my dream place with guests like you. Please come back and stay awhile Frank

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• missing rio encantado

  missing rio encantado

  • Guest arjay1
  • Date of stay 08/16/12
  • Review Submitted 09/07/12
  Rio Encantado is Great ! I'm amazed how one man could create such a wonderful Garden of Eden ! The only thing missing is a restaurant. Then we wouldn't have to ever leave the property. I'm plannining our return asap

  Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

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• Aptly named enchanting resort

  Aptly named enchanting resort

  • Guest Gwen
  • Date of stay 03/13/12
  • Review Submitted 04/07/12
  The owner has designed personally all the gorgeous landscaping. This is a place where one could just relax, swim in the river or swimming holes or pool, hike the beautiful grounds or bird watch. My cousin is an old friend of the owner & has a part interest in one of the cabins so I decided to visit him during his annual stay and I wasn't disappointed. The owner is a charming man who is fun to talk to & has a wonderful collection of pre Columbian artifacts. Since I had never been to Panama my cousin drove me someplace different in the highlands area every day. Many ex-pats from both Canada & the US live in this region. On my travels about I saw cattle country where Brahmas are raised, rushing rivers, waterfalls, the dormant volcano, coffee plantations, spectacular sunsets & of course the forrest primeval. We ate at some wonderful restaurants as well. I highly recommend this resort. .

  Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

  Owner response: SOO, NICE TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHOW AND SHARE MY CREATION WITH YOU. LAST WEEK , WE FINALLY HAD RAIN, NOW BACK TO THE DRY SEASON AGAIN. TAKE CARE, THANKS AGAIN FRANK

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• This is paradise!

  This is paradise!

  • Guest Marvin
  • 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.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

  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

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• Loved it!!

  Loved it!!

  • Guest Bari
  • 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: Families with teenagers, age 55+, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

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• Absoutely Beautiful

  Absoutely Beautiful

  • Guest Mike & Mary
  • 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!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

  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

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• Paradise Found

  Paradise Found

  • Guest Richard R.
  • 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....

  Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

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

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• Rio Encantado - Nature Reserve

  Rio Encantado - Nature Reserve

  • Guest scott
  • 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!!!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

  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

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Off Season ( May-Nov) .. $75/night  check web paqe rioencantado com
High Season     (Dec-Apr) ..$85.00.000 night, check with owner for other rates
$,800.00 a month low season. PREFER MONTHLY IN LOW SEASON
$2,000.00 a month high season plus tax Check with owner for rates
reservation policy, 50% paid in advance  SEE Terms and Conditions for bookings
Two night minimum.PAYMENTS,VISA CREDIT CARD, PAY_PAL,WESTERN UNION,
For 1 and 2 nights Guest House, not on the river, $50 a night

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

Sorry this information is not available. Please contact the owner/manager for more information.