El Otro Lado

About El Otro Lado

After more than a decade of effort driven by passion El Otro Lado has risen above its surroundings are privileged to be tucked between the colonial ruins of Fort San Felipe a rainforest of rare tropical hardwoods and the almost spiritual serenity of Portobelo Bay. A distinguished family retreat painstakingly carved from the forest today it is open as a private resort for an exclusive few. It hosts a 1.500 sq meter carpentry shop that is a haven for regional wood carvers who work freely on wooden animals and hardwood furniture preserving their vanishing craft. El Otro Lado boasts an on-site coral stone reservoir which was laid by Americans while building the canal.

Portobelo panama.authentic historic sultry and romantic the destination is a historical village founded in a well-sheltered bay on the crossroads of history.discovered and named by columbus on his fourth voyage and guarded on three sides by massive ruins of colonial forts this town is now a unesco world heritage site.a terminus of the camino real where new world gold was off-loaded to spanish galleons portobelo fell victim to the sacking by pirates of the caribbean and was pillaged by note worthies such as frances drake and henry morgan.a refuge for escaped slaves and a center of african-american traditions and cultures it also became a staging ground for americans building the canal at the end of the 19th century. Now work is underway to preserve for this heritage and share its rare tropical beauty for future generations.