Ordovician Beach Resort Debuts in Panama With Purpose Driven Luxury

Portobelo Colón, Panama – August 14, 2025 – Qwoted Newswire  – A bold new chapter in Caribbean hospitality begins with the opening of Ordovician Beach Resort, a 47-room luxury retreat located on Isla Grande within Portobelo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overlooking Panama’s northern Caribbean coast, the newly reimagined resort blends elevated design with environmental sustainability and a deep commitment to community.

Named after a geologic era of abundance and transformation, Ordovician was built with a vision to create opportunity in one of Panama’s most naturally beautiful, yet historically overlooked regions. The resort is redefining purpose-driven travel, offering guests a high-end escape that directly supports local people, culture, and progress.

A Vision Rooted In Purpose

Once known as Bananas Village Resort, the property has been completely reimagined by Rick and Loan Hill, a husband-and-wife team whose successful tech careers in Silicon Valley ultimately led them to something more meaningful. Rather than walk away, they chose to build forward, creating a resort model rooted in purpose, impact, and long-term community investment.

“Ordovician isn’t just a resort, it’s a commitment to the people of this region,” said Loan Hill, co-founder and owner of Ordovician Beach Resort. “Our goal has always been to help shine a light on an area that’s long been overlooked, not by changing it, but by investing in what already makes it so special. This place boasts a rich history, vibrant culture, exceptional talent, and breathtaking beauty in every direction. We’re here to help it thrive.”

Built immediately after the pandemic, with 95 percent local labor, the resort employed over 300 full-time staff to bring the owners’ vision to life. It will soon launch a foundation to fund education, infrastructure, and wellness initiatives across nearby communities.

What Sets Ordovician Beach Resort Apart

• The only resort in the area with a private beach, offering calm Caribbean waters, rainforest trails, and total seclusion.
• First overwater bungalows in Costa Arriba, Colón, with private decks, floor-to-ceiling sea views, and direct ocean access.
• Direct access to nearby islands, including curated day trips to the stunning San Blas Islands.
• VIP arrivals, including boat transfers and private helicopter service via a new on-site helipad.
• A complete rebuild, constructed using 95 percent local labor and a 100 percent regional hiring model, now employs over 100 full-time staff, many of whom are from surrounding communities.

Culinary Excellence, Garden To Table

Ordovician’s immersive garden-to-table culinary program is led by Executive Chef Stiven Hernandez, emphasizing freshness, simplicity, and local connection with more than 90 percent of exotic produce grown on-site in the resort’s organic garden. Every dish reflects freshness, simplicity, and local connection, from exotic vegetables to fragrant herbs, shaping a truly place-based dining experience.

Signature venues include: 

• The Shell Bistro – A vibrant all-day venue offering colorful breakfast and lunch dishes that fuse bold Panamanian flavors with global influences. 

• El Acuario – An elegant dining destination where Japanese, Vietnamese, Caribbean, and Panamanian cuisines come together in refined, flavor-forward combinations. 

• Rick’s Café Americain – A breezy over-the-water tapas bar where guests enjoy gourmet tapas-style plates, inventive cocktails, and relaxed coastal vibes.

Wellness, Nature & Culture Combined

• Elevated wellness offerings include cryotherapy, an overwater yoga studio, sauna, and personalized spa treatments, all within a car-free(pollution-free), coastal sanctuary that creates an uninterrupted, relaxing oasis free from noise and light pollution for ultimate relaxation.
• Adventure with elegance through curated, concierge-led experiences: snorkeling mangroves, island-hopping, wildlife encounters, private picnics, guided Panama Canal tours, historic explorations of Portobelo Spanish Fort, and offshore sport fishing.
• A luxury Dive Center opens in September 2025, specializing in warm-water dives with curated excursions to coral reefs, caves, and historic shipwrecks. 

A Family Enterprise With Global Vision

Ordovician is more than a destination – it’s a mission in progress. Since breaking ground in June 2022, the resort has created jobs, provided skills training, and served daily meals to hundreds of local workers. Plans include building a school and sports complex to further empower the region’s youth and support long-term growth.

Rediscovering Panama

Panama continues to attract global interest for its biodiversity, cultural diversity, and accessibility. However, the Caribbean coast, particularly the Costa Arriba region of Colón, remains one of its hidden gems. Ordovician Beach Resort introduces fresh vitality and increased attention to this remarkable area, positioning it as the upcoming top destination for discerning travelers. 

“Panama has always had the potential to be a world-class destination, and now people are starting to see it,” said Rick Hill, co-founder and owner of Ordovician Beach Resort. “We want guests to say, ‘I’m going to Panama because I want to stay at Ordovician.’ That’s the vision, to create something so special it elevates the entire region.” 

With its blend of refined design, cultural integrity, and community-rooted hospitality, Ordovician offers a boutique beach escape unlike anything else on Panama’s Caribbean coast. It’s more than a place to stay, it’s a place to connect, reflect, and be part of something meaningful. Designed for travelers who seek both luxury and purpose, Ordovician is poised to become a defining destination in the region’s next chapter. 

For more information and reservations, please visit www.ordovicianbeachresort.com and follow the resort on Instagram at @ordovicianbeachresort.