Search hotels in Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a low key ordinary village. We liked it for its lack of frills. There's a Danish run pizza place and a couple of coffee shops (we didn't go to either just saw them). The rest is normal Panamanian stuff, 2 mini Supermarkets and a few cafes with typical Panamanian food. There are rivers and waterfalls to bathe in but all except one would need a car (or bike) to get to. I'd say it was a one horse town except we saw 3 wandering about! The scenery is fantastic, so many different trees and so many hills. The road to the coast is finished and is lovely and smooth. There's a restaurant at the end of the road for lunch. The road from Santiago gets better as you get along it but takes 1.5 to 2 hours for the 35 miles to Santa Fe

Santa Fé is a beautiful mountain town in western Panama. It's located in a valley bordered by mountains which form part of an impressive natural reserve north of the town. The town itself appears to be easy-going and quiet —save for the odd bar— but the focus of the place is elsewhere: the very diverse ecosystems that exist all around it, from river habitats to cloud forests. You can either scale bare mountains and take in breathtaking views or go deep into the jungle and see unique wildlife, and the trails go as far as you may like. The area is also known for its organic farming and the town has played an important part in the history of Panama.

When you go to Santa Fe, prepare for the hikes, the horse riding and make sure that in Santiago you fill up the gas tank to the max (Llenó porfa). The restaurants are simple, but there is a Thai gem. Try to get lucky by staying in that hotel and enjoy the cooking that after 7,5 years in Panamá I have not found. Simple and honest Thai food is of course a joy for every 48 years old backpacker (now by 2x4 car by the way).