A new hotel in Panama will take travelers to an off-grid destination in the heart of a 7000-acre river valley, complete with hiking trails and natural swimming pools.
Selina Kalu Yala is the first eco-location for Selina, a hotel and co-working brand that focuses on sustainability. It is located near the nature preserve, made up of riverside white sand beaches running through the jungle. Visitors will also find a rustic town square that is home to 12 artisan businesses creating environmentally-responsible and products and services.
Kalu Yala is located roughly one hour’s drive from Panama City, but guests can wake up to nature’s wonderful alarm clocks including toucan calls and early risers like energetic howler monkeys. High-speed Wi-Fi is powered by an eco-friendly solar power system to help digital nomads working remotely throughout their stay.
According to Kalu Yala Founder and CEO Jimmy Stice, “we are trying to build the world’s first carbon negative modern town and use it to attract and educate visitors from Panama and around the world. Selina has been the perfect partner, bringing their huge customer base to Kalu Yala and trusting us to design a hotel that is not just environmentally concerned, but actually makes a positive environmental impact.”
Accommodations range from private tents with stunning views, to dormitory and suite options. Guests can take part in activities like a sunrise hike to Jaguar Falls or expand their eco-knowledge with a sustainable farm tour. They can also take cooking lessons, a sunset horseback ride, a distillery tour, and a biologist-guided night hike. From building and painting to improving local infrastructure, arts and crafts, and yoga, a long list of activities is on offer.
For those who wish to extend their stay, Kalu Yala offers internships. Some of the positions available include a sustainable agriculture resident, resident hiking leader, and tropical biology (and Global Change) teachers assistant. Residents are provided free room and board in exchange for five hours of work, five days per week. Their work periods range from two to three months. The first six weeks primarily consist of training. After three months, residents are eligible for paid positions.
For more information about what to expect and plan for a trip to Selina Kalu Yala, visit the website.