Discovering Ngäbe Flavours at La Coralina

Some meals fill your stomach. Others stay with you—because they feed the soul.

At La Coralina Island House, under a soft rose colored sky, one enchanting dinner unfolded: Discovering Ngäbe Flavours, a night dedicated to the rich culinary heritage of the Ngäbe people of Panama.

Created in collaboration with Maito, the Ari Ugüernrien Project, and the women of Fundación Mujeres de Río Caña, this wasn’t just about food—it was about sharing their story. About the land. About carrying forward what’s often left behind.

The evening opened with a stirring cultural performance, a visual reminder that this wasn’t about spectacle—it was about presence. From the first bite of wood-fired snapper to the last spoonful of native chocolate, every dish told its own story. Smoked pork chicharrón, fire-roasted herbs, and bold, earthy ingredients honored the time-honored techniques passed down through generations.

Nothing was dressed up to impress. It was generous, not showy. Confident in its roots. And that’s what made it feel special.

By the end of the night, the lines blurred–between guests and hosts, between past and present. We weren’t just watching—we were part of it. Eating together, listening, learning, sitting in something real.

It was a different kind of luxury. The kind measured in meaning. In presence. 

This is the heart of holistic wellness experiences in Panama. Not just spa treatments and stillness, but experiences that reconnect us to the wild and the wise. To the land and to each other.

And when the evening ended, what lingered wasn’t just flavor. It was the feeling that we had tasted something truly rare: a place, a people, and a night we won’t forget.

Here, tradition isn’t just remembered—it’s invited to the table.

We’d be honored to craft your next retreat—rooted in meaning, surrounded by the sea.