In the Panamanian Caribbean, off the coast at the Gulf of Mosquitos, lies a little-known but fascinating paradise: Escudo de Veraguas Island. Spanning just 3 km², this natural gem dazzles those seeking adventure, tranquility, and pure contact with nature.
An Adventure to Reach This Natural Gem
The journey to reach the island is an adventure in itself. From Panama City, you travel by road to Chiriqui Grande or to communities like Rio Caña, within the Ngabe-Bugle region. From there, a boat takes visitors on a 2- to 5-hour trip, depending on sea conditions. Upon arrival, you are rewarded with pristine beaches and unique landscapes.
Nature Lover’s Paradise
Escudo de Veraguas combines everything a nature lover could wish for: white sands, turquoise waters, sea caves, mangroves, and small estuaries that resemble inland rivers. Its cliffs and rock formations are perfect for exploring by kayak or simply admiring from the shore. It is an ideal destination for camping, snorkeling, or disconnecting from the modern world under a starry sky at night.
Meet the Fishermen of the Ngäbe-Buglé Community
Although the island has no permanent population, during certain seasons you can find fishing camps from the indigenous Ngabe-Bugle community. They keep their traditions alive and add a cultural touch to the experience, demonstrating how they coexist with the sea and its resources in an ancestral way.
Home to Unique Wildlife Species
Escudo de Veraguas is sufficiently isolated from the mainland that it is home to species that exist nowhere else on the planet. The most famous is the critically endangered pygmy three-toed sloth, the island’s emblem. Colorful frogs, salamanders, bats, and tropical birds also live here. Underwater, the coral reefs are home to sea turtles, multicolored fish, and a wealth of marine life that make snorkeling a magical experience.
An Experience Every Tourist Should Experience
Travel to Escudo de Veraguas is possible through organized tours that include transportation, meals, and lodging in camps. Prices range from $200.00 to $275.00 per person for 2-day, 1-night packages. Longer
stays are also available, with prices adjusted based on the level of services included.
Visiting Escudo de Veraguas is like entering a natural sanctuary where biodiversity, relaxation, adventure, and local indigenous culture come together.
Important: As the end of the printing process of this edition, the Ministry of Environment of Panama stated that Escudo de Veraguas will be closed to tourism visits for a period of 1 year, starting in November 2025, in order to protect nature and allow the ecosystem to recover.
