If you are truly looking for a vacation without all the typical distractions..Panacea delivers.

Highlights (in no order):

1) No TV, limited cell phone reception, and no internet (*on the mountain). A whole week without being mindlessly glued to screen after screen after screen. No cell phone ringing at the breakfast table, actual dinner conversation (no option to Google the answer), and time to get lost in a good book (they have a mini-library if you left your Kobo at home!).

2) Safe for single female travelers. Deb, Mary and Peter make great recommendations for anything you might want to do on or off the mountain. They set-up both my transfers to and from the airport with a known driver (*on time and charming even at 4:30am!). Free shuttle to and from the beach daily. Night security on the mountain.

3) Debbie's Fantastic meals - breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. Always fresh, delicious and full of color. A week of organic eating and fending off the heat with water (which is actually safe to drink from the tap) was refreshing to say the least.

4) Yoga. Many other Panacea visitors have mentioned that you will want to wake up early for it. You will; I promise. Mary was always mindful of individual limitations while gently assisting in stretching limits. Form first!

5) Cabanas. The hike up to the cabanas is just enough to remind you that you've been taking the elevator a bit too often at home. Great views from right outside your front door hammock.

6) The hospitality. Peter, Deb and Mary were not your typical 'hotel front desk' hosts. Accommodating, laid-back and really make every effort to make your experience at Panacea memorable.

Cons:

You will not want to leave!

I went to Panance with 2 girlfriends in Feb to excape the cold and relax. We got that and so much more - outstanding yoga everymorning taught by a very talented yogi, Mary. amazing meals prepared by Debbie . Everyone was so helpful and accomidating without being intrustive. We had daily trips to the beach, they arranged a wonderful trip to the national park paulo verde to see wildlife and spent afew days lounging around the pool having reflexology, facials and massage. The cabainas are simple but clean and cute. the walk up the mountain kept us feelling fit. I loved this place.

My mother and I came here in the beginning of the new year for a fresh start -- rest, relaxation, some yoga and healthy food. We left with much much much more. This was by far the best "vacation" my mom and I have even been on, though "vacation," again doesn't seem to do it justice.

The yoga is incredible. I wasn't sure I was going to want to wake up for 7am yoga but Mary's class is incredible. I have been doing yoga for 5 years. This was my mom's first time. Through her remarkable knowledge of yoga, Mary is able to create classes that are appropriate for every level. After yoga I felt rejuvenated and ready to seize the day.

Next -- the food. We knew that Panacea wasn't too close to town so we were hoping the trip advisor reviews were right about the food. They were. Gourmet Vegetarian. Better than any I've been to in New York City. Debbie, the chef, is incredibly creative with her recipes, and all of the produce and fruits are fresh picked that day. One of the nights we stayed, Debbie served us the most delicious ahi tuna caught that afternoon. I arrived a carnivore and haven't eaten meat since.

The cabanas are simple and have all of the accommodations you need. I found the bed to be quite comfortable. Each cabana has a hammoc and a beautiful view of one angle of the mountain. We didn't spend much time in our during the day as we generally opted to be in the kitchen / pool area with the owners and other guests, but the rooms (and the mountain!) offer lots of privacy for couples or those who prefer to be on their own.

My mother is much more adventurous than I and was worried we wouldn't have enough to do. While some stay on the mountain to relax (not a bad option at all - we did this on our last day and it was glorious), the owners are happy to set up day excursions for you. We went on a river tour and took surfing lessons, twice!! We had never surfed before and were up in no time with our experienced instructor.

Lastly, the most unique and memorable part of this trip were the people we met, namely Peter, Mary and Debbie. We arrived as strangers and left as friends.

I cannot wait to return.

I've just returned from my third trip to Panacea and I can't wait to go back again. Everything -- the location, the rooms, the food, the yoga classes, the pool exercises, the lovely resident animals, the hosts -- is perfect for experiencing peace, wellness, joy. I've been to fancy spas, to yoga ashrams, to lovely bed and breakfasts -- somehow Panacea combines all of these into something utterly unique and healing -- and fun. If you want to come home to your self, this is the place to go.