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Dreams Playa Bonita Panama

Panama City, Panama

4.1(4,460 reviews)

FamilyHyatt

Dreams Playa Bonita Panama occupies a striking piece of Pacific coastline just outside Panama City, and its location is the strongest argument for staying here. It and the Westin Playa Bonita next door are the closest beach resorts to the city, so you can watch Canal shipping from an ocean-view balcony in the morning, stand at the Miraflores Locks after lunch and spend the evening in the cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo. The forested grounds, with jungle walkways linking the seaside towers, look spectacular in photos and in person.

Traveler Insights

Pros

+Hard to beat for combining a beach stay with the city: Panama City is about 20 minutes away and the Canal around 30, so Casco Viejo or the Miraflores Locks fit into an afternoon
+One of the two closest beach resorts to Panama City, along with the Westin Playa Bonita next door, so you get an all-inclusive without a long drive out to the Pacific beach towns
+Ocean-view rooms look out over the Pacific approach to the Canal, so you watch container ships lining up from your balcony, something no Caribbean resort can offer
+Unlimited-Luxury covers 24-hour room service, pool and beach wait service, a daily refreshed minibar and Wi-Fi, and the a la carte restaurants work without reservations
+Real dining variety for a mid-size resort: Oceana for seafood, Portofino for Italian, the adults-only Bordeaux for French, Barefoot Grill, Seaside Grill, the Market Cafe buffet and Coco Cafe for coffee
+Forested grounds with jungle walkways between the towers feel secluded even though the city is so close
+The Explorer's Club for ages 3 to 12 keeps younger kids busy, and the entertainment team gets steady praise from guests
+Small pets are allowed, which is rare among all-inclusives in the region

Cons

−The resort is showing its age: guests describe rooms that are clean but not updated, worn furniture and tired fixtures, and some report cold showers, which falls short of Hyatt Inclusive Collection expectations
−This is a Pacific beach with a very large tidal range, so the water is only good for swimming at some tides and the shoreline changes through the day; it is not calm turquoise Caribbean water
−Food draws mixed reviews, with guests finding the gourmet menu language better than what arrives on the plate
−The main pool complex gets crowded and loud on weekends when domestic guests fill the resort, and shade around the pools is limited
−The adults-only pool and its bar belong to the Preferred Club, so the quiet pool is effectively a paid upgrade
−Airport runs need timing: Tocumen is on the far side of the city, and traffic over the Bridge of the Americas backs up badly at rush hour
−Service is uneven, from excellent to slow and inattentive depending on the day and the staff on shift

The practical experience has gaps that guests who know better-maintained Dreams resorts notice quickly. The property is showing its age in rooms, furniture and fixtures, and some guests report unreliable hot water. Dining is varied on paper, with Oceana for seafood, Portofino for Italian, the adults-only Bordeaux for French, Barefoot Grill, Seaside Grill, the Market Cafe buffet and Coco Cafe, and no reservations needed, but reviews of the food are mixed. The beach is Pacific rather than Caribbean, and because Panama's Pacific coast has a very large tidal range, swimming works only at some tides. The main pools get busy on weekends when domestic guests arrive, while the adults-only pool sits behind the paid Preferred Club upgrade. The entertainment team and the Explorer's Club for ages 3 to 12 are consistent bright spots.

Dreams Playa Bonita works best as a base for exploring Panama rather than as a pure beach holiday. Travelers who plan to spend their days on the Canal, in Casco Viejo or birding in Soberania National Park will find the location invaluable and the resort's limits less important. Anyone who wants five days on a calm, clear beach should look at Cancun, Punta Cana or the Riviera Maya instead. For the right traveler, though, the mix of resort and capital city is hard to find anywhere else in Central America.

Common Questions

Is the beach good for swimming?

Sometimes. Panama's Pacific coast has a very large tidal range, so the water is pleasant at some tides and too shallow or rough at others, and it is not the clear turquoise of the Caribbean. Most guests end up spending more time at the pools than in the sea. If a calm, swimmable beach is central to your trip, this is the wrong resort.

What Panama Canal excursions can I do from the resort?

Plenty, and this is where the location shines. The Miraflores Locks visitor center is roughly 30 minutes away, partial and full Canal transit cruises run from Panama City, and Casco Viejo is about 20 minutes by car. Soberania National Park, known for its birding, makes a good half-day trip. Excursions cost extra and can be arranged through the concierge.

Are the ocean-view rooms worth requesting?

Yes, mainly for watching ships line up for the Canal from your balcony. The rooms themselves are clean and comfortable but visibly dated in decor and fixtures. Deluxe Partial Ocean View rooms are the standard category, while full ocean views come with the Preferred Club rooms and suites.

Is the Preferred Club upgrade worth it?

For many guests, yes. The main pool complex gets crowded and loud on weekends, and the Preferred Club gives you the adults-only pool with its own bar, the club lounge and ocean-view rooms. Without it, plan to get to the main pool early on busy weekends.

How does this resort compare to Caribbean all-inclusives at a similar price?

It competes with mid-tier Dreams resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic but ranks below the well-maintained ones on facilities, food and polish. What it has that they lack is the Panama Canal, Panama City's culture and restaurants, and a Pacific setting. If resort quality is your benchmark, go Caribbean; if the destination matters more, Panama wins.

Is this resort good for families with children?

Yes, with caveats. The Explorer's Club for ages 3 to 12 is well liked, there is a children's pool, and the city offers family outings like the Canal locks and the Biomuseo. The tidal beach and busy weekend pools are the main drawbacks, so families who treat the pools as their main water time and the region as an excursion base do best.

What's nearby

Casco Viejo
15 min drive · 8.3 mi
Biomuseo
20 min drive · 8.1 mi
Parque Natural Metropolitano
20 min drive · 10 mi
Amador Causeway
25 min drive · 9.8 mi
Isla Taboga ferry
25 min drive · 9.8 mi
Miraflores Locks Visitor Center
25 min drive · 13 mi

More things to do (17)

Playa Veracruz · beach5 min drive · 1.8 mi
Gamboa · town45 min drive · 24 mi
Bridge of the Americas lookout · viewpoint10 min drive · 5.3 mi
Museo de la Mola · museum14 min drive · 8.2 mi
Mi Pueblito · historic site14 min drive · 8.5 mi
Panama Canal Museum · museum14 min drive · 8.3 mi
Punta Culebra Nature Center · wildlife25 min drive · 9.8 mi
Panamá Viejo ruins · ruins25 min drive · 14 mi
Cerro Ancón lookout · viewpoint25 min drive · 10 mi
Flamenco Marina · marina30 min drive · 11 mi
Panama Canal partial transit cruise · excursion30 min drive · 11 mi
Summit Municipal Park · wildlife35 min drive · 18 mi
Pedro Miguel Locks · historic site40 min drive · 9.5 mi
Gatún Lake Monkey Island boat tour · excursion45 min drive · 24 mi
Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary · wildlife45 min drive · 24 mi
Pipeline Road (Soberanía National Park) · nature50 min drive · 25 mi
Emberá village visit on the Chagres River · excursion55 min drive · 31 mi

Amenities

Pets Allowed

Teen Club

Walk-In Dining Available

Adults-Only Pool

Yoga Classes

Nightclub

Kids Club

Swim-Up Bar

Show 8 more amenities

Room Service

Water Sports Rentals

Free Wi-Fi

Nightly Entertainment

Buffet Dining

Spa

Gym

Beach

Every all-inclusive in Panama →

Google Reviews★ 4.1 · 4,460 reviews

Emily W.

a month ago

“We had an amazing experience at Dreams Playa Bonita Panama from start to finish. The highlight of our trip was absolutely the staff—especially Zanchez, Ruben, and Daniela, who were hands-down the best bartenders on the property. They consistently mad...”