Hotel Riu Playa Blanca 5*

First, a quick note on where I'm coming from: I'm a genuinely easy traveler. I set appropriate expectations, I'm grateful to be there, and I don't sweat the small stuff. I say that so you know this review isn't coming from someone who was looking for reasons to complain — but I also felt like the reviews I read before my stay left me walking in a little blind, so I wanted to fill in the gaps properly. One thing completely outside the hotel's control: a bridge issue during our trip turned what should have been a 2-hour drive into 4. Factor that into your logistics planning, especially if traveling in a large group. Property: Older but very clean Food: Better than expected Group size: 17 people, no issues Adjoining room: ~$1,500, great value The rooms The hotel's website does a genuinely terrible job describing the rooms — don't let that put you off. We booked an adjoining room for around $1,500, which was an incredible price, and the room far exceeded what we imagined. You enter through a small shared foyer (great for dropping beach bags), where the mini fridge also lives. From there, two completely separate bedrooms and bathrooms branch off, each with its own door. One key covers the whole suite. It's a smart layout for groups or families who want some privacy. Food & drinks The food was genuinely good — better than your average all-inclusive. The standout? The espresso martinis. They brew a fresh espresso for every single drink, which is not something you expect at a resort bar. The alcohol pours are very generous — every cocktail felt like a double — and if you bring an insulated cup, the bartenders will happily fill it up so you walk away with an even larger drink. The staff don't circulate to take orders at the beach or pool; you go to the bar. This didn't bother us at all once we adjusted. The specialty restaurants don't take reservations — it's first-come, first-served. With 17 people, we just showed up 15 minutes before opening each night and always got our whole group seated together. A little strategy goes a long way. Pool & beach There are four pools: an adults-only pool by the bar, a quiet pool, a kids' pool, and an activity pool. We spent most of our time at the activity pool — the entertainment there is genuinely fun to watch even if you don't want to participate. Beach chairs are plentiful and never a problem. Pool chairs, especially around the activity pool, do go quickly in the morning — worth keeping in mind if you have a large group. The beach itself has a mix of regular sand and dark sparkly black volcanic sand — it's beautiful and a little magical. If you have a magnet on you, try it: the black sand will cling to it. The water has some shells when you first wade in; they didn't bother me but some in our group are very dramatic about anything touching their feet in the ocean. Prepare yourselves. Other things worth knowing The elevators are on the smaller, slower side — we often just took the stairs. There are a few beach vendors but it's not overwhelming, and there's a small souvenir area nearby if you want to browse without being hassled. The hotel has nightly shows and a nice lobby bar for a low-key evening. Everything felt very safe, and in our experience Panamanians are warm and welcoming people. Verdict Riu Playa Blanca is a solid, clean, well-run all-inclusive with genuinely good food and drinks. It's not a flashy modern resort, but it delivers on the things that matter. My ideal Panama itinerary would be 2 nights here followed by 4 nights in Panama City — you get the beach and the culture, and neither feels rushed. The resort is about 2 hours from the city (traffic aside), so plan accordingly. Based on a stay with a group of 17. Review reflects an all-inclusive experience.

I start by highlighting the excellent service from ALL the hotel staff. We always found warmth, support, and a big smile from each hotel employee. Thank you for making us feel at home. The hotel facilities are very nice, the beach area is spacious and allows for enjoyment. The restaurants offered by the hotel have variety and allow for different experiences each night. However, it is important to arrive early to secure a table, as no prior reservations are made. Regarding the pools, they have high occupancy, especially the one with a bar, which is always full of people. Our group stayed three nights at Playa Blanca and then went to RIU Plaza for another three nights. It included all transportation, which was always punctual and friendly. At RIU Plaza, we only had breakfast. The kindness of the staff was equally excellent, the spaces were very nice and elegant, the rooms were spacious, comfortable, and provided all the amenities. At RIU Playa Blanca, in the bathroom, you only find hand soap and shower soap, while at RIU Plaza, you find soap, shampoo, and hand cream. I mention this because in other hotels you find dental floss, toothbrush, mouthwash, toothpaste, and other little things that are sometimes useful. As a curious fact, it rained the whole time, but intermittently, and then the sun would come out, and after a while, it would rain again. However, it was enjoyable. Overall, the experience was very positive. The city is very organized and everyone is very respectful of the rules.