About us
+ how it all began... +
Born from the vision of creating an artistic retreat in Portobelo Bay, this project began to take shape in 1991 with the support and dedication of local builders and artisans. Every material was sourced within the region and transported by sea, while each architectural and artistic detail was thoughtfully crafted to reflect Portobelo’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
More than a destination, El Otro Lado is a place with soul, created to celebrate the authenticity of its surroundings and share the very best of Portobelo with those who visit. Designed as an exclusive private retreat, it offers a rare sense of seclusion and tranquility, allowing guests to fully disconnect, enjoy complete privacy, and experience the bay at their own pace. Here, culture, nature, comfort, and discretion come together in perfect harmony.
+ Portobelo, where pirates, Spanish galleons, and Caribbean legends come to life +
It was one of the most important American ports during the colonial time, since any ship loaded with South American wealth had to pass through here. Being the stopover of the navy, it was necessary to prepare a defense system in order to guarantee the security of the town’s inhabitants and the galleon traffic, which has resulted in one of the most impressing conjunction of military architecture in America. UNESCO, declaring the port and the Portobelo fortifications World Heritage in 1980, has recognized the exceptional character of this town constructed by the Caribbean seashore.
The forts are beautiful examples of 17th- and 18th-century military architecture built to protect early transatlantic trade. They are among the most characteristic adaptations of Spanish military architecture to tropical climate and landscape features, representing the structural and technological development of military structures in the Caribbean. If you look closely, you can see old coral harvested from the bay built into the structures.
+ A place where every stay connects you to the culture, history, and people of Portobelo +
The Rainforest, rivers, sea, climate, native people’s history, galleons, slaves, pirates, and merchants have joined together to form a Portobelo that is bio-diverse and rich in cultural, ethnic and varied artistic expressions. These expressions range from the delicate woodwork of carpenters, the interpretative dance and artistic sounds of young local Congo performers, to the dance and music emanating along the coastline during the area’s holidays.
All this wealth does not deny the fact that Portobelo presents great deficiencies in the education, health and welfare of its people. The Portobelo Bay Foundation, together with the caretakers of El Otro Lado, is committed to improving the quality of life of the community with programs that seek advancement through culture, and with initiatives that promote development with identity. In this way, El Otro Lado becomes a vehicle of cultural expression that allows its guests to participate, with their stay, in the integral development of Portobelo’s population.
+ We are honored to care for El Otro Lado +
Behind every detail at El Otro Lado is a person who calls Portobelo home. We are honored to care for this place, and for every guest who finds their way here. It is our greatest pleasure to share it with you.
