Destinations
PACIFIC COAST AND ISLANDS
Panama’s Pacific coastline stretches for hundreds of kilometers and is home to amazing wildlife. It offers very diverse coastal sceneries: sandy beaches, rocky coves, mangroves and tropical dry forest.
On shore, a network of national parks protects some of the area’s endemic species, while offshore its waters are the territory of sea turtles, whales, dolphins and other migrating animals.
Some of the nicest beaches are found on the countless islands spread throughout the Pacific, but given its proximity to Panama City and well-developed road infrastructure, the beaches closer to the city are a popular getaway for both locals and tourists.
Boca Chica and Gulf of Chiriqui
The Gulf of Chiriquí is located off the Pacific coast of the country towards the west end, bordering with Costa Rica. Even though it is home to one of the most richly inhabited marine parks of this region of the world, Gulf of Chiriquí National Park, the destination remains yet to be discovered even by most Panamanians. Being a relatively remote place has greatly helped its conservation and the abundance and diversity of marine wildlife has not escaped the radar of diving and sport fishing enthusiasts from all over the world who frequently find their way to the dozen islands that compose it.
Because of its location, the Gulf of Chiriqui is ideal for whale watching during the months of July to September, when these enmorous mammals normally visit Panama’s warm waters with their calves. Year round you can also just enjoy island life through the numerous activities there are to do.
The Gulf of Chiriqui is normally accessed from the coastal town of Boca Chica, where a variety of small hotels has sprung throughtout the years, including one the region’s most exclusive luxury eco-resort.
Tours and activities:
- Sport fishing
- Whale watching (July to September)
- Island hopping
- Snorkeling
- Scuba diving
Gulf of Montijo and Coiba National Park
The Gulf of Montijo lies south of the city of Santiago in Veraguas. It contains one of the country’s largest mangrove areas.
Just out of the gulf towards the West you’ll find the town of Santa Catalina, a world-class destination for surfing, and at the extreme South of the gulf lie Cebaco and Gobernadora Islands, top fishing destinations. The Gulf of Montijo is also the main starting point to reach Coiba National Park.
Coiba is a very large island (in fact, the largest island in Central America) that lies a few miles south of the Panamanian coast. Its name comes from the Coiba indigenous people who used to inhabit the area before being conquered by the Spanish. Coiba became a penal colony in 1919 and for a very long time, it was a symbol of extreme suffering and torture for many Panamanians.
The prison was closed in 2004 and today Coiba is a peaceful location and part of a large national marine park. Most of the island is covered with untouched primary rainforest that hosts some interesting endemic species and other spectacular animals such as the scarlet macaw. Marine life is astonishing: dolphins, sea turtles, huge schools of colorful fish, orcas and whales (from July to September) are commonly seen around Coiba, which has become famous around the world for scuba-diving and sport fishing. Coiba also has a large mangrove area and countless pristine white sand beaches.
Tours and activities:
- Snorkeling
- Scuba diving
- Sport fishing
- Whale watching (from June to September)
- Rainforest hikes
Pearl Island Archipelago
Located 40 miles south of Panama City on the Pacific Ocean, Pearl Island Archipelago is made up of more than 200 islands, most of them uninhabited. A large number of them is still covered by only rainforests, although weather here is dryer than in the rest of the isthmus.
The pearls that lend their name to these beautiful islands were collected well before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers by the local indigenous people. The latter were soon eliminated by the Spaniards who took over both the islands and the pearls. Contadora, the most visited island (although one of the smallest), used to be the place where pearls were stored and weighed before being shipped to Spain. The most famous of all the pearls, La Peregrina (‘The Pilgrim’), was so big and beautiful that the slave who found it earned his freedom. King Philip II of Spain, his wife Mary Tudor and later Napoleon Bonaparte wore the pearl, it was also owned and worn by Elizabeth Taylor!
Apart from its immaculate beaches, Las Perlas is a great place for fishing, diving and snorkeling. Humpback whales are spotted regularly from July to September.
Tours and activities:
- Boat tours from Contadora to the neighboring islands
- Whale watching (from June to September)
- Snorkeling
- Scuba diving
- Fishing
Beaches of the Pacific Coast
This is the main destination for local tourism on the weekends and where most of the large all-inclusive hotels are located. This part of the coast is almost an uninterrupted succession of wide beaches found 1 to 2 hours from Panama City. There are all kinds of accommodations, including smaller structures adapted to individual tourism.
Tours and activities:
- Fishing
- Surfing
- Golf
- Horseback riding
- Tour to El Valle de Anton
- Tour to Cerro Campana National Park
- Tour to Omar Torrijos National Park