History, Tropical Nature and Beautiful Beaches
Panama has more than 1,000 islands in both the Pacific and the Caribbean. Some of them are home to picturesque coastal towns, however many are completely uninhabited. In the islands and archipelagos of Panama you will find paradisiacal beaches and kilometers of protected coral reefs, which are home to extraordinary marine biodiversity.
No matter which island you select to visit in either of the two oceans, you will discover a tropical paradise full of surprises.
- Pacific Islands
Tour the Colonial Town of Isla Taboga
This island of volcanic origin is located 20 kilometers from Panama City leaving from Amador Causeway. Its beaches and proximity make it the best getaway to get away from the stress of the city.
Upon arrival, walk the streets of the historic town and visit the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere. If you want impressive views of Panama City, as well as the ships entering the Panama Canal, you have to go up Cerro Vigia or Cerro de la Cruz.
Say Hello to the Crystal Clear Waters of Contadora Island
Contadora Island is a haven of peace, just over an hour from Panama City leaving the Amador Causeway, and you can even go there just to spend the day. White sand beaches, clear water, lots of fish, very friendly people and a very relaxed lifestyle.
We recommend you stay 1 or 2 nights, so that you can discover all the beaches that the island has and we advise you to take a golf cart to explore it easily.
Discover the Amazing Nature of Isla Coiba
The Coiba National Park is located in the Pacific, and with an area of 270,125 hectares, it protects marine, island and coastal ecosystems. Within this Park are the island areas of Isla Coiba, Rancheria (Coibita), Jicaron, Jicarita, Afuerita, Canal de Afuera, Uvas, Contreras and Brincanco (153,582 hectares). It is one of the largest marine parks in the world.
You can visit the former top security jail of Coiba that opened in 1910, a controversial history that favored the preservation of the island’s forests in an unaltered state.
Beaches and Trails for You to Enjoy on Isla Parida
Parida Island is a destination full of beaches, ecological trails and exuberant fauna located in the Gulf of Chiriqui. It is one of the two inhabited islands within the Gulf of Chiriqui, and you can enjoy fishing, a very popular activity among those who visit this tropical paradise.
This Chirqui Pacific paradise is part of Las Paridas archipelago that includes several islands and islets, as well as impressive coral reefs to enjoy snorkeling and sport fishing.
Learn in the Natural Laboratory: Barro Colorado Island
Take an educational trip to the artificial island of Barro Colorado, a scientific research center managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). What was the top of a hill was turned into an island when the area was flooded to create Gatun Lake.
The island, just 30 minutes by boat from Gamboa pier, became a refuge for a large number of animals and preserved a sample of the area’s flora for scientific research.
We invite you to also visit these islands:
▪️Isla del Rey, the largest island in all of Panama at Las Perlas Archipelago.
▪️Iguana Island, white sand beaches surrounded by a reef located in Los Santos.
▪️Cebaco Island, a natural refuge with beautiful beaches Located in Veraguas.
For more content on Pacific Islands of Panama: www.focuspanama.com (QR).
Atlantic Islands
Discover the Virgin Nature of Escudo de Veraguas
With only three square kilometers, upon arrival you will find yourself in a small tropical paradise. This island located in Bocas del Toro, two hours by boat from Isla Colon, is considered the habitat par excellence of the three-toed pygmy sloth, a kind of mammal.
This island is completely virgin and protected, it is rich in mangroves and coral reefs where hedgehogs, colorful fish and striped rays hide. If you like snorkeling you will love the crystal clear waters that surround this place.
Relax Surrounded by a Tropical Environment on Isla Carenero
Enjoy a day-long tropical experience on this small forested island located just a 2-minute boat ride from Bocas town. You can tour the entire island on foot in about an hour and enjoy its exuberant nature full of palm trees and endemic trees. Then enjoy the beach where the waves are perfect for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and you can also taste seafood in some of the best restaurants in the area.
Dive in the Waters of Isla Solarte
This island south of Isla Bastimento Bocas del Toro was known as Nancy’s Cay for centuries; when English pirates and traders arrived in the region. The western end of Isla Solarte is called Punta Hospital, because of its history as the site of the region’s main hospital complex, built by the United Fruit Company in 1900.
However, here you will enjoy some of the best places to snorkel and dive in Bocas del Toro. On the Punta Hospital boardwalk, you can dive surrounded by marine life.
Discover the Scientific Importance of Galeta Island
Created in 1997, this island is covered in tropical forests, mangroves, and surrounded by an extensive coral platform adjacent to the coast. It is a natural reserve located near Colon City, which conserves natural marine ecosystems and promotes environmental education and ecological tourism. It also has an intriguing and controversial military history as well as a trail that runs through the tropical forest and mangroves to reach the coast.
A Hidden Beach Awaits for You in Mamey Island
Located minutes from Portobelo by boat, on this island you will find palm tree-lined beaches and warm turquoise waters. The surroundings of this island are ideal for you to take a diving or snorkeling excursion, and thus enjoy the natural splendor of the island or even go surfing on the west side. If you like adventures surrounded by tropical nature, you can experience a night of camping on the island, you will love it.
We invite you to also visit these islands:
▪️Isla Colon, the commercial and hotel center of the Bocas del Toro archipelago.
▪️Zapatilla Cays, a pair of islands with a mysterious origin and surrounded by crystal clear waters in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago.
▪️Isla Grande, a beach paradise with Afro-Antillean influences in Colon.
