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Find Us On FacebookJust what you have been waiting for! Exciting news -over the last several weeks we’ve been adding to the new Residences section of our website. If you have not been back to our site recently, please visit here for a glimpse into the stunning natural island beauty that will be enjoyed by all those that visit or [...]
New Website “Residences” Section – Ready for Your Viewing
February 15th, 2010 by MichelleCalling All Isla Palenque Fans — Your Opinion Needed
February 8th, 2010 by MichelleHere is your opportunity to have a voice in the creation of our Casitas!
We are finalizing the floor plans for our two bedroom Casitas and are interested in hearing what you think: would you prefer to have the master bedroom on the main floor or on the second level?
Of course, if it were on the [...]
Press Release – Progressive Luxury Resorts Make Walls Obsolete for the Traveling Elite
January 8th, 2010 by FrancesCHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2010 — Luxury travel has assumed a new meaning among vacationers looking to be submerged in their destinations’ natural environment. In response to a growing demand for close-to-nature vacation experiences, some progressive luxury resorts are eliminating the physical barriers between travelers and their ultimate destination: nature. These high-end resorts now offer open-air [...]
Press Release: Geotourism Engages Travelers in Authentic Cultural Experiences
December 1st, 2009 by FrancesCHICAGO, Dec. 1, 2009 — Tourism has undergone a dramatic shift in recent years and many in the industry believe the change is permanent. In the past, American tourists sought familiarity in even the most exotic destinations. Today, the more sophisticated consumer seeks experiences as unique as their destinations. This industry-wide travel trend, called “geotourism,” [...]
Gehry-designed Museum Taking Shape in Panama
December 1st, 2009 by JerrodAs I was driving out to the Amador Causeway last week, I was taken aback by the progress on the new Bridge of Life Biodiversity Museum that is rising out of the ground in an explosion of steel. Panamanian officials selected world-famous architect Frank Gehry, best-known for his titanium deconstructivist Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, [...]
Bamboozled
November 12th, 2009 by BenThe WSJ journal has an article today about the sustainability of bamboo clothing; as it turns out, bamboo clothing really isn’t sustainable once you factor in all the chemicals and processing involved in its production, and claims that it is are probably close to fraudulent. One of these days I might get around to blogging [...]
Fun with GIS
November 12th, 2009 by BenJerrod wrote an entry back in July about walking the proposed road that had been staked for us by our topographers. Walking it, and understanding the topography of the area as well as Design Workshops’s intent, I was suspicious that the stakes weren’t quite where they were supposed to be. That, combined with a few [...]
Solar Decathlon
October 9th, 2009 by MarkAs you can imagine, Panama has an abundance of sunshine. It’s an ideal location to get that perfect bronze tan; to watch the sweat dribble down the side of your cold margarita; or to just generally warm any anxiety you might have. When I was first on Isla Palenque that line from Harry Nilsson’s, “Everybody’s Talkin’,” kept [...]
The Best and Worst Resort Development Trends in Panama
October 1st, 2009 by JerrodResort development in Panama has generally lacked the sophistication of popular US-oriented tourism markets such as Costa Rica and Mexico. Architecture has been unimaginative, planning has been unresponsive to the site, and economics have been ignored. Yet, as the government recognizes the importance of tourism, the developers begin to understand the importance of quality, and [...]
Vertical Green
September 22nd, 2009 by FrancesRecently I read about a very interesting vision of the future. One that sees traditional “soil-based” farming as unsustainable long-term, and puts forth the idea of urban “vertical” farming, or Sky Farms. Take a look at this op-ed piece by Dr. Dickson D. Despommier in the online New York Times here. Despommier has a book [...]