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What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitized in high-temperature wash
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to guests & staff
- Stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
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Updated 01/11/22 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort
Updated 01/11/22 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
Location
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
5.0
Value
4.8
Travelers' Choice
GreenLeaders Gold level
Located in Cambutal, a small village where the jungle meets the sea in Los Santos, Panama, Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort specializes in world-class yoga retreats, salty surf sessions and tailored, experiential adventure. Designed and built with intention, the holistic beachfront resort features a small collection of private, oceanfront suites and garden cabanas, fostering a community-oriented, retreat environment. An open-air yoga shala provides a foundation for daily yoga practice led by elite staff and visiting teachers, as well as pre-ocean introductory surf lessons from the resort’s experienced surf instructors. Buddha Bar, a wholesome restaurant and bar, offers daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, utilizing local fish, farm-raised poultry, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and homemade bread. Abundant with adventure, nature and fun, Sansara also features a saltwater pool, an onsite spa and complimentary bicycles, SUP boards and kayaks.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Yoga classes
Free breakfast
Beach
Bicycle rental
Airport transportation
Secured parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Swimming pool toys
Pool with view
Adult pool
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Saltwater pool
Plunge pool
Yoga room
Fitness classes
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary welcome drink
Happy hour
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Rooftop bar
Bicycles available
Boating
Hiking
Horseback riding
Snorkeling
Aerobics
Bicycle tours
Fishing
Patio
Board games / puzzles
Shuttle bus service
Car hire
Taxi service
Photo copier / fax In business center
Spa
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Massage
Neck massage
Adults only
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shops
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
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Room features
Soundproof rooms
Air purifier
Air conditioning
Private beach
Desk
Coffee / tea maker
iPod docking station
Walk-in shower
Bathrobes
Dining area
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Seating area
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
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Room types
Mountain view
Ocean view
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Hotel links
Location
Full view
Contact
Calle Principal, Cambutal Panama
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all Cambutal rental cars
357Reviews5Q+A68Room tips
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I visited Sansara Resort for a retreat in May 2022, after listening to a podcast conversation between Sansara co-owner Janel Phillips and A Line Within's Ashley Wood (@ashulei @alnwithin). The retreat, organized by A Line Within and promoted and hosted by Sansara, was supposedly designed "[f]rom start to finish...to support [guests] in having a comfortable and restorative experience." My expectations of a supportive experience and my actual experience were very different. Three days into the retreat, I developed COVID symptoms and asked if I could skip the mandatory group dinner to not risk exposing other guests to any type of illness. The staff was great and brought dinner to my room. The retreat organizers offered to drop off a COVID test. I told them that I had brought one with me and would test if I didn't start feeling better. By the end of the night, I was feeling extremely ill so I took a test, which was positive, and reported the results to the retreat organizers. The next morning, I had a message from the retreat organizers that, per Janel, there would be a taxi arriving in less than two hours to drive me six hours back to Panama City where I would need to find new accommodations and stay until I was able to fly back home to the U.S. Having to leave the retreat early in this situation came as a complete surprise, as this scenario was not covered by the contract I had signed with A Line Within or the COVID materials that I had read on Sansara's website. I was not feeling well enough to travel and I didn't want to expose the taxi driver or front desk staff at a new hotel to COVID. I did my best to advocate for myself in the limited time that I had. I asked to stay in the room I'd already paid for (I didn't have roommates) and offered to pay extra to have staff deliver the meals (that were covered by my retreat fee) to my balcony. I was told that the Panamanian Health Ministry required foreigners in Panama to quarantine in official hotels or hospitals and that Janel could face negative consequences if she permitted me to stay. Again, this was a total surprise and not something I'd read about in the materials or resources linked on Sansara's website prior to the retreat. I asked to see the policies or to speak to Janel directly, and I was told that Janel's hands were tied and that she was doing "the most gracious thing she could" by giving me the option to book my own lodging...and that the alternative would be to have a police car pick me up and drive me the six hours to the city to stay in a government-approved facility. Given that the taxi was already on its way and I wasn't making any progress in advocating for my position, and that there was a mention of police intervention, I packed, booked a hotel in Panama City, and did my best to adjust to the new circumstances. Meanwhile, a message went out to all the other guests that a guest had tested positive for COVID and that home tests were available if anyone wanted peace of mind: "If anyone else would prefer to take a test just to be safe, send me a message-we have a handful of extra tests." One person who had also been feeling unwell asked for a home test. Only after she tested positive was she informed that her diagnosis meant she would need to leave the resort. She was told she had 30 minutes to pack before the taxi (already called for me) arrived. After our departures, there was no mandatory COVID testing, masking, or social distancing; no change to the lack of COVID protocols (guests and most staff did not wear masks; there was no social distancing at the resort; activities like group dinners, yoga, van trips to surfing/hiking, and breath work sessions continued as if there was no risk of COVID exposure). Additional guests tested positive a few days later and I was told by the retreat organizers that a few staff members tested positive as well. Though it's impossible to know for sure, based on the timing of the cases I know about and my own timeline of negative tests and the onset of symptoms, it's very likely that I was exposed to COVID en route to or at the resort. If Sansara had a practice of requiring guests to leave early (without a refund) if they became sick while at the resort, as I was told recently by Ashley that they had, then that could have been shared with guests up front. I don't understand why Sansara and A Line Within didn't have a contingency plan for guests who were exposed en route to or at Sansara and developed symptoms during the retreat. And I still don't understand the actual reason that we were required to leave half-way into the retreat. The reasons provided by A Line Within on behalf of Sansara were: 1) the Panamanian Ministry of Health's mandates and 2) the need to keep other guests and staff safe. I can't speak to the Panamanian Health Ministry's practices earlier in the pandemic, but in late May 2022, they were not requiring COVID-positive visitors to isolate at quarantine hotels (they were asking visitors to stay at a hotel or Airbnb of their choosing and share the address). And as far as keeping guests and staff safe, that seems like it would have been possible if we'd been permitted to isolate in a room away from other staff and guests. I think it's odd that the Sansara owners did not seem to factor the inevitable COVID exposure for the taxi driver and others or how poorly the other guest and I were feeling into their decision to not allow us to isolate for at least the next few days (until we were feeling better, were less contagious, and could make thoughtful choices about our next moves). I understand that everyone has different levels of comfort and risk-aversion surrounding COVID. If as a resort owner, you don't want to allow guests to stay after they have a positive test--even if they were exposed to COVID while traveling to or staying at your resort--I think that's a valid position to take, so long as that's made clear to guests and they can then decide whether to take that risk--especially when the trip cost includes thousands of dollars, a few days of travel, time off work, and arrangements for childcare, animal care, etc. Given that Sansara was not upfront about their COVID practices and that the Health Ministry was no longer using "quarantine hotels," I believe a partial refund for the days that were pre-paid and not honored is the minimum that A Line Within and Sansara should provide. Though it's not the focus of my review, it's worth noting that the grounds, rooms, surf team, kitchen staff, spa staff, and surrounding area were truly exceptional (hence the two stars). On the second day of my stay, I even asked the A Line Within team if they would consider making this an annual retreat because I could see myself coming here every year. Turns out they were already discussing the idea, and they've since announced a retreat at Sansara for May 2023. After I got back to California, I reached out to Ashley and shared that I hoped to continue supporting A Line Within and Sansara but I needed the situation with my (forced) early departure and lack of refund to be resolved first. Her response (essentially, that I took a risk by traveling in 2022 and they would not be honoring my request for a refund, and that I should take it up with Sansara) just felt so incongruent with the messages of support, community, well-being, and love that had initially drawn me to her business, that I don't think I'll be patronizing A Line Within again. If Mike and Janel had been transparent about their practices, or had acknowledged their mistake (if it was one) in requiring me and another guest to leave under the pretense of government policies that were no longer in place, and offered even the slightest gesture of good will*, I would have been making plans to return and writing a much different review. *Because I signed a contract with and paid my retreat fee directly to A Line Within, I expect A Line Within rather than Sansara to honor my request for a partial refund.…
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Date of stay: May 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Hotel's Favorite
After one visit, I am a huge fan. The black sand beach is so beautiful -- calm at low tide, good waves to play in at high tide. All of the facilities -- the yoga studio, the rooms, the massage house, the bar and restaurant, even the pathways in between -- everything is spacious, beautiful, so thoughtfully created. A beautiful beach and facilities can make a nice place to stay, but it's the people that make a place magic. Everyone here was welcoming, attentive, fun, and fantastic at their jobs. If you visit, treat them as family -- they deserve every bit of love & appreciation. Oh and the food -- Fernando is brilliant. Everything was heaven. Some of the best meals I've eaten. The surf instruction team is incredible, their method for helping you build intuition to make you a more confident surfer was a breakthrough for me. Thank you Sansara team!…
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Date of stay: January 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Sansara is now my home away from home. Every detail, every person, every part of Sansara is pure beauty and life. I was there for 1 day and booked another week-long stay to share with my husband for our 15th wedding anniversary in August 2022. Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
A place that makes your inner-jaw drop in awe .. Hosts that get that true hospitality is heartfelt and embodied .. A place of serenity and quiet comforts that put a smile on your soul, and keep it there .. Congratulations to the Sansara Tribe for creating a breathtaking sanctuary for retreat-ers, artists and seekers of all stripes. May your blessings multiply and ripple out with the tides!
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I stayed for a week at Sansara for their signature yoga retreat. I could not be more impressed with the staff. They go above and beyond in every way to make sure you feel like family. Food was wonderful and fresh and cocktails were perfect. Guided tours were also out of this world. I will definitely be returning.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
If I could give a 100 star review, I would. My wife and I have traveled all over the world and done some pretty cool trips, and nothing compares to the staff and location and food and accommodations that Sansara offers. We came here for a Yoga and Surf retreat, and had just completed a purchase of a new home, moving, selling our old house, and all the stress and logistics that comes along with those things, and left feeling like completely new people. From the moment we arrived (we rented a truck in Panama City and made the approximate 5.5 hour drive to the resort), the entire staff greeted us at the entrance and it was just incredible from there. Absolutely gorgeous, secluded location directly on the Pacific Ocean surrounded by lush green mountains with an abundance of world class surf breaks that were never once remotely crowded (we're talking a max of 6 people the whole time I was there) for a variety of levels from beach breaks to point breaks and beyond. Every member of the staff from the owners to the GM to the surf crew (Noah, Elsa, Margaux, etc.) to the front of the house to the restaurant (Fernando, Benny, Ki-ke, Ruth, Kevin, Valeria and the rest) to the housekeeping and landscaping and massage was just amazing. These are truly great people who care about their employees as much as they do their guests, and it shows how dialed in they are with the happiness and positivity of their employees. They also care about supporting the local economy, sustainability, and the environment. The rooms are simply incredible. The food was just outstanding. Fresh, local farm to table and sea to table cuisine. Clean and healthy. Excellent choice of local and craft beer and wines and cocktails. I cannot wait to come back. I left as a better surfer, better yogi, a better person, and you will too. The drive in is long, but it is all paved roads the entire way and WELL WORTH the effort to get to a place that is not touristy. - John & Cat…
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Date of stay: May 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Prana was top notch
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
This place is gorgeous, the land is breathtaking and the quality of the food is way beyond what I expected. But it is the staff that really takes this place to a different level for me. It’s incredible that this remote little sleepy town holds such a gem.
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Date of stay: April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
What an amazing place! Beautiful, serene, clean, eco-friendly, wonderful place to kick back and relax for a week. Went there on a yoga/surf retreat. Perfect! The staff is over the top friendly and accommodating, the accommodations are spacious and well appointed (and air conditioned -- whew!), the food is out of this world. They have thought of everything to make your stay seamless, lacking absolutely nothing. By the end of the trip everyone on the staff knew my name, my food preferences, my habits. They cater to your every desire. Location is right on the beach, and the pool is also an option. Don't hesitate -- a vacation destination of a lifetime!
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Date of stay: April 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: all of the casitas are wonderful
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
Stayed here for a yoga surf retreat! Everything was outstanding. The staff so friendly. The location is a hidden gem. The massage services were exceptional. The food was five star worthy! The rooms were luxurious.. The beaches are so quiet and the water is exceptional! Can’t wait to go back!
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
This was the best yoga resort I have ever been in. The rooms are designed with brilliance and love, each with an unique layout and orientation. The staff is the best part of the resort. They treat you with genuine welcoming attitudes, everyone of them learned all of our names, and they all treated our needs like we were family. The surfing and other excursions offered at the resort were one in a life time, unforgettable experiences. The food was locally sourced, healthy and gourmet, not only was the food delicious, it also left my body feels so clean and energized. The cook staff was also very accommodating with different dietary requirements. The volcanic sand beach was beautiful and secluded, the water was warm and welcoming. The spa at sansara was also amazing, I had a great massage package there. I would highly suggest this to anyone looking to take a break and connect back with nature. It is well worth it.…
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$358 - $367 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PanamaLos Santos ProvinceCambutal
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort
What are some of the property amenities at Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a rooftop bar, free wifi, and free breakfast.
Which room amenities are available at Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort?
Guests can enjoy a rooftop bar, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort?
Conveniently located restaurants include Boom Shiva Bungalows & Restaurant, Casa Cambutal Restaurant, and La Casita Del Café.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, fitness classes, and yoga classes during their stay.
Does Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort have airport transportation?
Yes, Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Does Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.
Is Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.