ISLANDS

Contadora Island, Panama

Panama travel destination

Contadora Island is the fifth largest of the Pearl Islands and is located in the Pacific Ocean about 50 miles from Panama City. This island features fine hotels, restaurants, a dive shop and water activities such as diving, snorkeling and sports fishing. You may enjoy any of Contadora's 13 beautiful beaches which encircle the island, or take excursions to nearby islands, most of which are uninhabited, and find your own private beach for sunbathing and picnicking. Just across the way is Pacheca Island, roosting spot for magnificent frigate birds and an excellent spot for bird watching.

Contadora is a practical hub to explore from, or simply, to explore itself. There are a few choices in lodging on the island. Hotels include the larger Hotel Contadora and the newly renovated and expanded Punta Galeon. Both are a few steps from the airport -- literally. Diving and snorkeling are excellent, especially at low tide. Swimming from Playa Sueca around the point to Playa Larga takes you through the best area to spot sharks and turtles, and there is a little secluded beach along the way. Other good beaches for snorkeling include Playas Cacique, Galeon and Canoa.

National Park Coiba Island, Panama

Panama travel destination

Today the National Park of Coiba in Panama is an unparalleled destination for discovering new species and one of the best diving sites in the Western Hemisphere. Located off the Pacific Coast in the province of Veraguas, it was once home to the Coiba Cacique Indians and was later conquered by the Spanish around 1560. The biggest island in Central America was a prisoner's island until 2004 much like Alcatraz was in the US, but it is now a gorgeous National Park. In 2005 it was also declared a UNESCO heritage site. After the prison was its pristine condition made it perfect for a preserve. Scarlet Macaw's can be found in large numbers and the island is still about 75% forested with mainly primary forests.

Boca Brava, Gulf of Chiriqui

Panama travel destination

The Island of Boca Brava is situated in the Gulf of Chiriqui and neighboring other islands includingIsla Paridita, Islas Secas and many others. The entire area including Isla San Pedro is part of the Golfo Chiriqui National Marine Park, which protects an area of over 14,000 hectares including two dozen islands and their surrounding waters. Boca Brava Island is a 3000 hectares big, beautiful island that offers travelers an unspoiled natural atmosphere with lots of hiking trails, white sand tropical beaches, mangroves and numerous wildlife. It is also an important spot for birders and wildlife watching fans since it is home to hundreds of monkeys, nesting sea turtles and 280 types of birds.

Comarca Kuna Yala, Panama

Panama travel destination

A visit to the San Blas Islands in the Comarca of Kuna Yala is a win-win combination! Travelers can experience a living Indian culture in a tropical island paradise. You will experience the extraordinary beauty and peace on white sand Caribbean islands and at the same time live with and learn from the Kuna people.

Kuna Yala means “Kuna Territory” in Kuna language. This region along the eastern Caribbean Coast of Panama is also known as San Blas, a name the Spanish Conquistadores gave it and which is still used today.