Serenity Vista is a highly individualized private retreat located in the mountain highlands of Boquete, Panama. Since 2012, we have welcomed guests from North America and around the world seeking lasting recovery, emotional healing, personal growth, or a renewed sense of direction in a peaceful, supportive, and exceptionally private environment.
Limited to a maximum of four guests at any one time, Serenity Vista offers an individualized experience that brings together an abstinence-based approach to addiction recovery, evidence-based counselling, holistic practices, outdoor experiences, and personal support tailored to each guest's needs. Our private addiction recovery program remains central to what we do, alongside our broader focus on personal renewal and whole-person well-being.
Our approach recognizes that meaningful change involves more than addressing a particular problem. Whether a guest is working toward lasting recovery or seeking a new perspective on life, we provide space to explore emotional well-being, relationships, lifestyle, and personal growth in a supportive residential setting.
Serenity Vista is particularly well suited for individuals seeking a highly individualized, private, and discreet experience. Many of our guests are professionals, business owners, executives, and others who value confidentiality and prefer a more personal alternative to larger residential programs.
For many individuals, traveling away from home to pursue recovery provides the opportunity to step away from familiar pressures, routines, and environments in order to focus fully on healing, reflection, and personal growth. Spending time outside one's usual environment can also offer an added level of privacy and discretion.
Located in the mountain highlands of Boquete, Panama, Serenity Vista provides a peaceful and exceptionally private setting where guests can step back from the distractions of everyday life and focus on what matters most to them. With a maximum of four guests at any one time, our program combines individualized support, holistic practices, and a supportive residential environment tailored to each guest's needs.
For individuals who recognize that drinking or other compulsive behaviours have become a concern, even when they continue to function well in their professional and personal lives, Serenity Vista offers an abstinence-based approach to addiction recovery.
We believe lasting recovery involves more than simply stopping the behaviour itself. It means exploring the underlying factors that contribute to it while developing the knowledge, coping skills, support systems, and healthy lifestyle practices needed to build a fulfilling life free from alcohol and other addictive substances and behaviours.
Serenity Vista does not incorporate long-term medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as part of its therapeutic philosophy. Instead, our approach emphasizes comprehensive counselling and recovery support, healthy lifestyle changes, and holistic practices that address the whole person and support long-term well-being.
Founder and Director John Derry brings decades of experience in addiction recovery, counseling, and healthcare leadership to Serenity Vista. With complementary degrees in Pharmacy and Addiction, John previously directed a leading Canadian addiction recovery program before establishing Serenity Vista in Boquete, Panama. Since 2012, John and his wife, Jane, have remained actively involved in the day-to-day guest experience, helping create the highly personal, supportive environment that distinguishes Serenity Vista from larger residential facilities. Together, John and Jane bring more than 59 years of combined experience in addiction recovery and counseling to the Serenity Vista program.
Our staff are a dedicated team of American and Canadian counselors, facilitators, and holistic therapy practitioners who work closely with each guest throughout their stay. Because Serenity Vista intentionally limits participation to a maximum of four guests at a time, guests benefit from a level of individualized attention, continuity, and support that is difficult to achieve in larger residential settings.
Serenity Vista is fully licensed and incorporated by the Republic of Panama.
Serenity Vista combines evidence-based counselling with a comprehensive range of holistic therapies and experiences, including mindfulness, meditation, yoga, massage, music, artistic expression, integrative coaching, and outdoor recreation and adventure experiences. Together, these approaches support emotional well-being, personal growth, and meaningful change.
Whether a guest is working toward lasting recovery or seeking personal renewal, our individualized approach brings together counselling, holistic practices, healthy lifestyle choices, and meaningful outdoor experiences to support the mind, body, and spirit. Guests have the opportunity to develop greater self-awareness, confidence, and resilience while exploring new perspectives and building a stronger foundation for the future.
Panama is recognized as one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in the Americas and has become an increasingly popular destination for both travelers and expatriates. Home to Serenity Vista, the mountain highland region of Boquete is renowned for its year-round spring-like climate, natural beauty, coffee farms, abundant birdlife, and vibrant gardens.
Often referred to as the "Land of Eternal Spring," Boquete provides a peaceful and restorative environment that many guests find supportive of healing, recovery, and personal growth. At Serenity Vista, guests enjoy expansive gardens, streams, and weekly recreational outings that provide opportunities to experience the remarkable natural beauty and diversity of the region.
The tranquility, climate, and natural surroundings of Serenity Vista create an environment conducive to reflection, healing, and renewal. Away from the pressures of everyday life, guests have the opportunity to focus on their well-being, explore new perspectives, and consider the changes they wish to make in their lives.
At Serenity Vista, every aspect of our environment and approach is intentionally designed to support meaningful change, whether a guest is pursuing addiction recovery or seeking personal renewal. From our highly individualized approach and exceptional privacy to our experienced leadership, holistic care, and peaceful residential setting, each element works together to create an environment where healing, reflection, and personal growth can occur.
For those whose concerns include a drinking problem or other compulsive behaviours, the journey toward lasting change involves far more than simply addressing the physical dependence associated with addiction. It is a process of rebuilding physical health, emotional well-being, and relationships while developing a renewed sense of purpose and creating a healthier, more fulfilling life. Through our individualized approach, evidence-based counselling, holistic practices, and recovery support, guests develop the knowledge, coping skills, confidence, and resilience needed to build a strong foundation for lasting recovery.
Every individual's circumstances are different, and no single program is right for everyone. We encourage prospective guests and families to learn more about when Serenity Vista is the right fit and to have an honest conversation with us about whether our approach is appropriate for their needs.
Every individual's journey is unique. While no program can guarantee outcomes, our commitment is to provide exceptional individualized care, comprehensive therapeutic and recovery support, and an environment where each guest has the opportunity to work toward lasting recovery, improved well-being, personal growth, and a more fulfilling life.
Read our Independent Reviews and Testimonials to learn more about the Serenity Vista experience.
Get our free PDF guide on moving forward into the solution.
