Panama is famous not only for its nature reserves, culture and the Panama Canal. U Panama there are exits to Pacific Ocean and to Caribbean Sea, this wonderful country has collected best resorts Central America, where there is everything: snow-white beaches, warm water, stunning islands, beautiful landscapes that are known far beyond the borders of Panama.
Bocas del Torro
Bocas del Torro (Bokas del Torro) is a unique, beautiful archipelago in the north-west of Panama, consisting of 9 big islands and many little ones.
You can get here by local airlines or air flights from neighboring Costa Rica. The route is very touristy, so there are a lot of buses and tourist shuttles from Panama and Costa Rica. First you need to get to the city of Almirante, then by ferry.
Bocas del Torro Archipelago - the most popular tourist destination with developed infrastructure and services. Most Big City — Colon, is located on the island of the same name - the largest of the entire archipelago. Colon is a small town that can be walked in half an hour. It is best to book hotels in Colon, because... this is very comfortable spot, there is all the infrastructure here, you can sail anywhere from here and the airport is close.
The best beaches in Bocas del Torro: Bocas del Drago, Bluff Beach And Punch Beach on the island of Colon, Cayos Zapatillos, Playas Larga And Red Frog Beach.
Best diving spots: around the island Hospital Point, Coral Key, Dark Wood Reef And Punta Juan, area Garden near Cayo Nancy, islands Butt, Cristobal, Cayo de Agua And Cayo Carener. These are some of the best reefs, underwater gardens, many sea creatures(rays, lobsters, crabs and tropical fish). Near the island Bird Island you can see colonies of sea gulls, it is also very interesting to visit national park Bastimientos and see endangered turtle species there.
Other entertainment options besides eco-tourism include almost anything: walks in the jungle, horseback riding, ATV rides, sea activities, boat rides, diving, snorkeling, surfing, fishing, etc.
Taboga Island
It's hard to believe that just a few kilometers from the dusty and noisy city, there are such heavenly beaches with excellent sea and serene relaxation. These beaches are located on Taboga Island- “Island of Flowers”. You can get here by ferry in just 15 minutes. Ferries run all day. On the island, in addition to the beaches, there is a small town with a church ( San Pedro), where there is observation decks, and there are all kinds of recreation on the beach. You can stay here in one of the most wonderful hotels.
Spend a few days on this wonderful flower island and you definitely won’t regret it.
Las Perlas Islands
Archipelago Las Perlas is located southeast of Panama City in the waters of the Gulf of Panama. Las Perlas consists of several large islands: San Jose, Pedro Gonzalez, Isla del Rey, Isla Pacheco, Saboga, Contadora, Chapera, Mogo Mogo, Casaia and Viveros and several dozen smaller islets and reefs.
You can get to the islands of the archipelago from Panama City by plane or ferry. Ferries also operate within the entire archipelago and this way you can get to any of the islands.
The most developed islands in terms of infrastructure are Contadora, Saboga And San Jose.
Contadora is the closest island to Panama City, which can offer you both a calm, secluded holiday and an active one. White sand beaches, picturesque corners of the island, nature surrounded by greenery - all this can be found here. You can swim in the ocean or in a cozy hotel pool; in any case, it is best to make Contadora your starting point.
The city has a lot of entertainment and active rest: diving, fishing, snorkeling, yacht and boat trips, water skiing and scooters, tennis and golf. Evenings can be spent in numerous discos and bars, or you can relax in the casino.
To admire nature and feel like a part of it, it’s better to go to the islands San Jose And Viveros. By the way, there is also an old one in San Jose military base, which fans of military attractions love to visit.
The best place to swim in the sea and sunbathe is on the islandSaboga, which will offer more than a dozen different beaches and recreational areas.
By the way, most of the income of the Las Perlas Islands comes not from tourism, but from pearling. Pearls and pearl jewelry can be purchased on the islands at very attractive prices.
Today we will talk about a stunning place on our planet, a vacation on which has not yet become popular among Russians due to its remoteness and lack of direct flights - this Pearl Islands Panama - “Pearl Islands” or as they are called local residents"Las Perlas".
The Pearl Islands are a whole conglomerate of small areas of land located sixty kilometers from the capital of the state of Panama - Panama City, in the Gulf of Panama. In general, there are up to two hundred islands, but local residents claim that there are much more of them - about four hundred, and only ninety-seven of them have a name. Many of these islands are completely uninhabited, which is why they are so popular among tourists who are eager to find themselves on their own uninhabited island, take a break from the bustle of civilization and dream about something pleasant. Although what could be more pleasant than lying on the white sand and admiring the warm, bright turquoise sea with beautiful fish and corals? The Las Perlas Islands are stunningly beautiful, the water around them is incredibly clean and transparent, it’s not for nothing that they were called that, because they are a real “pearl” necklace in Panama’s jewelry box. But there is a completely different reason for this name. Thus, at the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Spanish navigator Vasco de Balboa, in a conversation with the leader of an Indian tribe, learned that south of the Isthmus of Panama there were islands where there were a lot of pearls; since then, pearl mining was discovered, and the islands were named accordingly.
Of the famous Panamanian Pearl Islands, only ten are large, while others are small patches of land or even coral reefs. Tourists love to go on vacation to the large islands of this Panamanian archipelago, Las Perlas. They are developing especially rapidly in last years the islands of San Jose, Pedro Gonzalez, Isla del Rey, Isla Pacheco, Saboga, Contadora, Chapera, Mogo Mogo, Casaia, Viveros. Tourists are on vacation here and can admire the beautiful nature, lush tropical vegetation, relax on huge beaches with the purest white sand that does not stick to the body, swim in transparent and warm sea water, observe the rich underwater world. Beauty and excellent natural conditions The Pearl Islands cannot help but enchant; having been here once, you strive to return again and again.
- one of the Pearl Islands of Panama. If you do not like to leave civilization for a long time and cannot live without the benefits of our society, then we recommend going to the island of Taboga, where even the most picky and sophisticated tourists have the opportunity to be surprised by the breadth of choice of excellent high-quality sandy beaches, of which there are more than eighty. Around them there are hotels and boarding houses of various star ratings, from which there is also something to choose from to suit every taste and budget. By the way, it was on this island that the very first sanatorium of the Pearl Islands of Panama was built. This was in 1882, and since then many world celebrities have loved vacationing on Taboga, including the famous Paul Gauguin. Of course, over the past years, a huge number of sanatoriums and boarding houses have appeared on the island of Taboga, but this one is listed historical monument resort. There is another interesting attraction here Latin America– the most old church, built in the sixteenth century.
- part of the Pearl Islands. Fans of sport fishing can recommend a holiday on the island of Isla del Rey, in the settlement of Punta Cocos. Another advantage of vacationing there is its proximity to Panama City, it lies only twenty kilometers from it. It was this island that became the first on which the Spanish colonialists settled; a large sea port, in which the ships of the conquerors of Peru were laid up.
This is the most large island archipelago, with an area larger than all the other islands combined. Its popularity among tourists, along with three other islands: Contadora, San Jose, Viveros, grew during the Second World War, when military bases were erected here to guard the entrance to the Panama Canal, since then ordinary Americans have chosen the wonderful Panamanian beaches, and Every year the number of vacationers there only increases. The island of Rey is also a major center for pearl mining.
From a historical and architectural point of view, tourists will be interested in visiting the neighboring islet of El Morre, where large defensive structures are located, built to protect the settlement from the pirates that often attacked it. These structures served faithfully for more than three centuries.
- This famous resort Panama. But a holiday here is suitable only for those tourists who are not looking for a noisy nightlife, bars and discos, of course, it is here, but in modest quantities, because this is a kingdom of solitude and detachment from the bustle of the world, guaranteeing a quiet and measured holiday in the lap of magnificent nature. The beaches on Contadora Island are famous for their soft, fine, white sand and exotic nature. There is an incredibly beautiful, calm and crystal clear ocean here. Walking along the edge of the surf, you will come across interesting ocean shells - the most best souvenir as a souvenir of visiting one of the Pearl Islands of Panama. And if suddenly smooth and relaxing holiday If you get bored, you can go fishing, snorkeling, sailing on yachts or boats, water skiing and scooters, or diving. You don’t have to buy diving equipment here; you can rent it in a specialized store opposite the airport building. In Contadora, walking along the streets, you can see various world celebrities: businessmen, politicians, people from the world of art. If you still want more vibrant nightlife, then it is easy to get to Panama City from here, it is fifteen minutes away by a small taxi plane. In addition, the same pleasures and entertainment can be found on the island of Taboga, which is also nearby.
is the most picturesque of the Las Perlas islands, and despite the fact that it belongs to a private individual who is the owner of the local aviation company, visiting it is free for tourists. There is a magnificent hotel, where guests have the opportunity to choose their accommodation: an authentic secluded bungalow on the shores of the azure ocean or a modern hotel room that operates on an all-inclusive basis. While relaxing on the Panama island of San Jose, you have the opportunity to comfortably spend time next to the pool or sunbathe on a beautiful ocean beach, with snow-white sand washed by turquoise warm waves. It is also possible to do here sea fishing, take a walk on a boat or scooter, go to the neighboring Pearl Islands of Panama, for example, Contadora and Viveros, famous for their amazing natural attractions.
Holidays on one of the Panamanian Pearl Islands will definitely delight you with its exoticism, abundance of vegetation, wealth underwater world. Despite the fact that the air temperature here all year round is about twenty-six degrees, it is worth remembering that dividing the weather into dry and wet season no one canceled. If rainy weather reigns on the Caribbean coast, as well as on the northern mountain slopes tropical climate, with heavy downpours from May to December, and on the coast also with frequent tropical hurricanes, then in the highlands there is less rain, southern parts The mountains, that is, on the Pacific coast, are dominated by a tropical climate, divided into wet and dry seasons. In the capital of the country, Panama City, heavy rains begin in May and end in November; during the dry season, the heat is not very felt here, thanks to the refreshing sea breezes.
Not all tourists who vacation in Panama visit Contadora Island, but in vain. It was once a thriving resort, but now it is a forgotten place, attracting lovers of solitude, silence and tranquility. Next, we suggest going to virtual tour to this wonderful place.
Off the coast of Panama there are 200 or more islands and islets that are part of the so-called Pearl Islands, many of them tiny, uninhabited, but all incredibly beautiful. But the main problem is that they are all located more than 50 kilometers from civilization. The islands were inhabited by indigenous peoples who were destroyed within two years of the Spanish discovery of the islands in 1513. The merciless policy of Gaspar de Morales, who first ruled these lands, began with the fact that he captured and killed 20 local leaders, or rather, he gave them to his dogs to be devoured. Afterwards, the island was used by pearl hunters, who exported jewelry to Spain throughout the 16th century.
In later years, the Pearl Islands were often used by pirates, but until the 1960s it was relatively quiet. Everything began to come to life again when tourists arrived on the islands.
When the Shah of Iran fled the revolution in 1979, he retreated to the Panamanian islands, which he quickly turned into playground for the rich and famous. Sophia Loren was a frequent visitor here in the eighties, and Christian Dior was also a regular here. The island also remembers the Kennedy family, Elizabeth Taylor and John Wayne.
The island's largest beach, Playa Larga (on the right in the photo), was part of the Contadora resort that was built in the 1960s. And this is what this paradise looks like today...
You don't need a ticket to visit this abandoned resort. Yes, there are people here, but there are not many of them here. In fact, this island is so extensive that the current owners of the island have done the right thing by running a tour desk on the island and renting out golf carts.
The hotel once boasted more than 300 rooms, and a bunch of ancillary and service buildings. It was owned by a Colombian drug lord, but after the main owner died in a plane crash in 2009 (leaving behind more than $10 million in debt), the island's largest resort fell into disrepair.
The rooms and the hotel itself were looted, leaving only the buildings and their beautiful facades.
Above is a photo from the 1970s. Below are our days.
The Panamanian government is not interested in preserving the resort, so the island is served by entrepreneurs. Who is engaged in delivering tourists on the island, who is engaged in catering on the island, who cultural program, which consists of stories about the history of the resort.
It also has its own trick, sign, or whatever you want to call it. An old ferry washed up on the beach, which the former Colombian owners used to transport guests to the island...
In the depths of the island there are luxurious villas that never saw their owners.
There is a small shop here, so don't worry about running out of water and food.
Yes, the island is really beautiful, but to get to it from the mainland and back you will be asked to pay 90 US dollars and 40 dollars for using the beach.
Holidays in the Pearl Archipelago, on the island of Contadora!!!
Hotel Via Romantica, located in the Pearl Archipelago in Panama - the best place to spend the May holidays and escape from the daily routine.
Pearl Islands
After a 15-minute flight you will see Contadora Island in the archipelago of the Pearl Islands, which were previously famous for their romantic stories about pirates and pearl divers. Contadora is the fifth largest island of the archipelago and a tourist center. The small village of Contadora has only two small cozy villages and two hotels right on the beach, as well as a couple good restaurants. Around the island you will find 7 more beaches, one for each day of the week. Unlike Panama City, Contadora seems like a different world, which may be why it was chosen as a refuge for the Shah of Iran. The small village located at the foot of the hill is a bright contrast to the elite villas of Julio Iglesias and Oscar de la Renta. The famous program The Last Hero was filmed here and if you are an adventure seeker, you can imagine yourself as such by staying for a couple of nights in one of uninhabited islands around.
We offer you the following route for these dates: 3*. Free time.
Day 2. Half-day City Tour with visit to Miraflores. You'll visit the ruins of Old Panama, ravaged by the pirate Henry Morgan, then walk through the colonial city of Casco Viejo, which is dominated by French and Spanish colonial styles. You will also visit the first lock of the Miraflores Canal, from where you will be able to watch ships passing through the Canal. Lunch is not included in the program; we recommend staying for lunch at the Miraflores restaurant, located at the gateway itself. From the balcony you can watch the work of the Panama Canal. After the tour, transfer to the hotel, free time.
Day 3. Early morning departure from the hotel, transfer by ferry to Contadora Island (travel time 1.5 hours). Arrival at the Villa Romantica hotel, accommodation.
Day 4-8. Holidays on Contadora.
Day 8. Check out from the hotel, departure to Panama City, transfer to the Amador Ocean View hotel, accommodation for one night.
Day 9. Breakfast at the hotel, shopping if desired. Check out from the hotel, transfer to the airport. End of the program.
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Program cost: (for 1-2 people) Hotels |
Single occupancy SGL |
Double occupancy (cost per person per room) DBL |
Pearl Islands PanamaArchipelago Pearl Islands, Panama - located south of the capital of Panama - Panama City. The fact is that yesterday we agreed on a private sailing on a boat with a good powerful motor, but in the morning a couple of old men ended up in this boat, as if by chance. Second stop: Isla Casayeta - this is a wild island with many bays and the neighboring islands of Casaya and Isla Ampon, which I put in one bottle - 4 points for the fact that it is not as deep off the coast as I would like would. I will immediately note that on all the islands of the Pearl Islands of the archipelago of the same name, the sand is white, coarse, does not stick to clothes or skin, and if it does stick, it is easily brushed off. The tenth stop is on the island of Mogo-Mogo, where work is currently underway to demolish the huts of the “last heroes”, as well as clearing up the garbage after them. Beach rating 3 points - very small. You can just see how small it is in the photo. But the beach is wide and deserted. But nevertheless, there is no shadow just in case. On the way to Mogo-Mogo we caught a grouper - the fishing rod was just dangling the whole trip. Hanging from the end was a wild orange artificial squid. And so the greedy grouper gobbled it up. So, the last stop is Chapera Island. This island is in direct line of sight from Contadora Island, being due south.
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