Republic of Panama Vacation Rental
in Pedasi, Los Santos, Venao
The IDB Tree House was constructed by Vern Scholey & Neal and Karey Scholey as an owner retreat and as a guest rental to fund on-going reforestation of the 57 hectare (140 acres) IDB Ranch. Since 2005 over 33,000 trees have been planted on about 33 hectares and our goal is to reforest all former cattle pasture on the ranch. In many
cases this gives our guests “bragging rights” for taking a carbon-neutral vacation as the trees planted with their funds will be capturing and storing CO2 from the atmosphere. IDB Forestal has to date planted 27 species of native trees (species listed at http://reforestation.elti.org/resource/528/) to expand forest habitat for local animals and serve as a model project to demonstrate that cattle and forest can co-exist on the Azuero Peninsula. For more information on reforestation efforts taking place on the Azuero Peninsula, please visit www.azueroearthproject.org. The Tree House was designed and constructed to provide a comfortable and inviting vacation experience. The overall design of the house was developed with its site-specific environment in mind and will bring to you the experience of living in a tree house. Windows are at the same height as the beds in order to allow natural breezes to sweep across your body. By opening windows, utilizing ceiling fans and leaving the air conditioners off you will have an enjoyable and memorable sleeping experience. You will fall asleep to the sounds of harmonizing crickets and awaken to the sounds of birds and monkeys as the sun breaks the horizon over the edge of your bed. Upstairs the Tree House has a kitchen, separate sunrise and sundown balconies, a bathroom, and two bedrooms with queen beds and air conditioning. There are ocean views from most of the windows with ships traveling to and from the Panama Canal passing the nearby Frailes Islands day and night. From July through September humpback whales can be seen breaching offshore. The sunrise balcony also serves as a yoga/meditation deck and superb stargazing platform. Downstairs there is one bedroom with air conditioning and two twin beds (that can be joined to make a king-size bed) and a bathroom. All rooms have ceiling fans. The house is fully furnished with linens and towels provided. The kitchen is completely equipped and laundry facilities are available for extended stays. Wildlife is abundant on the IDB Ranch. It is our mission to keep the wildlife “wild” and always respect the natural ecosystems on the Azuero Peninsula. Hiking options are plentiful on the Ranch with two primary maintained trails, and dozens of additional trails for the more adventurous. The Viewpoint Loop trail rises up from the house to an amazing vista of the surrounding area and returns to the house. The Beach Loop trail goes over ridges and through ravines to emerge at an isolated beach. Both trails pass through extensive bird and monkey habitat. Trail rides on our horses can also be arranged. There are two fruit orchards near the Tree House where seasonal fruit can be picked and enjoyed during your stay. In May we hosted a women’s yoga retreat held at the Tree House. Visit Yoga Retreats in Panama on Facebook to check out their experience, photos, and see when the next Art of Joy retreat at the Tree House is scheduled. The IDB Ranch is a 25-minute drive from Pedasi on the road to Playa Venao. It is a 5 minute drive from the Tree House to El Ciruelo for fishing charters or to Playa Venao for surfing. There are also numerous restaurants in the immediate area. June 2012 House Rates (call or write for current discounts and promotions)
Wet Season (June through November) 10 trees per night (*$140)
Dry Season (December through May) 14 trees per night (*$196)
*The cost of initial planting and 20 years of maintenance is estimated to be about $14.00 per tree
One time cleaning fee of $25 per visit
Six person maximum occupancy unless special arrangements made (an additional charge for extra persons may apply)
Check in time after 1500 and check out by 1200 but early check-in and late checkout can be arranged if it does not conflict with other visitors’ schedules
Discounted weekly rates available (will include one house cleaning per week by IDB staff)
CARNIVAL 90 trees (*$1260.00) secures the Tree House from Carnival Friday to Ash Wednesday (five nights)
SEMANA SANTA 64 trees (*$896) secures the Tree House from Thursday afternoon through Monday (four nights)
OTHER HOLIDAY WEEKENDS Three-night minimum
It has been a gentle rainy season so far replete with a variety of shades of green whose intensity is quite soothing to the soul. As this is written (July 2012) the humpback whales are arriving and in addition to whale watching visitors can look forward to clear-water diving and snorkeling on Isla Iguana, nesting turtles laying eggs and emerging turtle hatchlings on Isla Cañas, fishing off the Frailes Islands, surfing at Playa Venao, nature hikes, and horse riding. We recently had a family include all of the above and more in their 11-day stay at the Tree House and it was unanimously declared “the best vacation we have ever had” by Mom, Dad, Grandma, and the two children. As the Tree House is located in an area of Panama (the house is visible just off center in the above photo) with some of the lowest annual rainfall and highest number of sunny days odds are that even in the midst of the rainy season you still have a chance to lay down a sun tan.
