Your complete guide to the Buenaventura area: El Faro Beach Club, golf course, Sports Center, nearby restaurants, supermarkets, and everything you need for a perfect stay.
El Faro Beach Club
El Faro Beach Club is the heart of Buenaventura. Open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM, it offers pools, a restaurant with poolside service, bar, and direct access to the Pacific beach. Weekends can get busy, so we recommend arriving early to secure a good lounger. The restaurant serves Panamanian and international dishes at moderate prices ($12-25 per main course).
Bring sunscreen and a hat — the Panamanian sun is very strong, especially between 11 AM and 3 PM.
Golf at Buenaventura
Buenaventura Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course designed by Nicklaus Design. We recommend booking tee times at least 2 days in advance. The pro shop has full equipment rental. After your round, the clubhouse restaurant (known as the "19th Hole") is a great spot for lunch. Other nearby courses: Mantarraya Golf Club (30 min) and Coronado Golf & Beach Resort (25 min).
Resort dining
The Buenaventura Rentals directory lists 9 on-property venues:
- Criollo — hotel breakfast through dinner
- Tai Kai — sushi & teppanyaki (Corotú Plaza)
- Palapa Bar — lagoon cocktails
- Asa'o & Pesca'o — El Faro lunch (seafood & paellas)
- Tagua Grill — poolside pizza & grill
- Mansa — steakhouse in Puntarena
- La Vecindad — Mexican/Tex-Mex
- Dunas — beach club with live music
- Hoyo 19 — golf clubhouse
Complementary activities per Marriott Experiences: Corotú Spa, Sports Club, zoo (250+ species), kayak, sailing, jet ski, surf & horseback riding.
Resort events calendar
Each month the resort publishes a bulletin with golf tournaments, dining promos (19th Hole, Palapa, Tai Kai), zoo activities, sports, and Sunday mass at La Ermita. On Spongi we publish it on the Buenaventura monthly events calendar for guests staying at our Punta Arenas apartment — plan your trip before you arrive.
Staying in June? Check golf tournaments, dining 2-for-1s, and the concert on the calendar before booking tee times.
Services & Supermarkets
The nearest supermarket is Super 99 in Río Hato (15 min drive), which has everything including imported products. There's also a Machetazo for budget shopping. For pharmacy needs, Farmacias Arrocha is in the same commercial area. There's an ATM at the Río Hato shopping center. The nearest gas station is 10 minutes away. For medical emergencies, the Centro Médico de Antón is 25 minutes away.
You can order grocery delivery through the PedidosYa app, or contact us to help with shopping before your arrival.
Day Trips from Buenaventura
El Valle de Antón (45 min): Artisan market, waterfalls, hot springs, hiking, and birdwatching. Coronado (20 min): Shopping center, more restaurants, and nightlife. Playa Santa Clara (15 min): Quieter beaches and local fishermen. Panama City (1.5 h): Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, world-class restaurants. Pedasí/Azueros (2.5 h): Colonial towns, surfing, whale watching in season.