Island sights in Panama
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Calzada
At the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, a 2km palm tree-lined Calzada connects the four small islands of Naos, Culebra, Perico and Flamenco to the mainland. The Causeway is the popular place to be in the early morning and late afternoon when residents head here to walk, jog, skate, and cycle or simply escape the noise and pollution of the city.
The Causeway also offers sweeping views of the skyline and the old city, and you can see flocks of brown pelicans diving into the sea here most times of the year. Others arrive here simply to savor the pleasant breeze at one of the Causeway's many restaurants and bars.
At the Causeway entrance, Bicicletas Rali operates a booth…
reviewed
-
Isla Tigre
This surprisingly clean, very traditional Kuna island is a culturally vibrant place. Perhaps it's due to the island's fairgrounds. Travelers interested in seeing some of the Kuna's traditional celebrations would do well to stay at Isla Tigre.
Here, Kuna women can be readily seen in their doorways offering molas (traditional blouse panels) to passersby; on other islands women often stay out of sight if they know tourists are moving about. The Kunas on Isla Tigre ask that visitors go to the tourism commission when arriving on the island so that they can explain the community rules - one of which is being respectful with photography. You will be charged heftily if you…
reviewed
-
Isla Grande
It would take all the exotic Caribbean clichés ever coined to describe this remote and beautiful island off the Caribbean coast near Portobelo. Only 7 sq km (2.7 sq mi) in size, it's inhabited by 300 people of African descent who make their living from fishing and coconuts.
There are a handful of places to stay on the island and to hire boats, but there are no dive operators or places to rent snorkeling equipment. Visitors are often attracted by local festivities, which include San Juan Bautista on June 24, celebrated with canoe and swimming races; Virgen del Carmen (July 16) marked by a land and sea procession; and Carnaval, before Ash Wednesday, feted with Calypso…
reviewed
-
Isla Carenero
In recent years, the small, sparsely populated island of Isla Carenero has become popular with business folk hoping to lure tourists off Isla Colón and into their own establishments. The island takes its name from 'careening', which in nautical talk means to lean a ship on one side for cleaning or repairing.
It was in Careening Cay in October 1502 that ships under the command of Christopher Columbus were careened and cleaned while the admiral recovered from a bellyache.
reviewed
-
Yandup Island
Just five minutes by boat from Playón Chicon, the tiny islet of Yandup is home to the Yandup Lodge, an admirable community-run venture that is administered by the nonprofit organization Dobbo Yala. Accommodations are a handful of comfortably fitted thatched-roof cabins with private facilities, and guests are well cared for at this low-key spot.
Dobbo Yala is dedicated to conservation and sustainable development, and works with several indigenous communities across the country. Yandup is also home to an attractive white-sand beach with good snorkeling and there's a variety of hiking trails leading through the island's jungle interior.
reviewed
-
Wichub-Walá Island
The sparsely populated island of Wichub-Walá is often touted by travelers as one of the best places in the Comarca to meet Kuna (and not just be paraded in front of them as a tourist). The island is also home to one of the most attractive hotels in the Comarca, the Kuna Niskua Lodge.
reviewed
-
The Cays
The undisputed gems of the Archipiélago de San Blás are the Cayos Los Grullos, Holandéses and Ordupuquip, a triangle of three virtually uninhabited island chains that are separated by calm blue-green waters and surrounded by shallow reefs. All of the islands in these groups are lovely. The Cayos Holandéses' proximity to Wreck Reef makes for spectacular snorkelling.
reviewed
-
Kuanidup Grande Island
Kuanidup Grande is only large in comparison to its nearby kid brother, Kuanidup Chico. The tiny island is breathtaking - with pristine beaches of powdery white sand, swaying coconut palms and little else, it's the stuff of travel-magazine covers.
reviewed
-
Isla Tigre
Isla Tigre is one of the most traditional islands in the Comarca. With wide walkways separating homes, the island is surprisingly clean and uncrowded, which makes it easy to interact with local Kuna in a relaxed and stress-free environment. Isla Tigre is also culturally vibrant, perhaps owing to the island's fairgrounds, which are home to some of the biggest festivals and events in the Comarca.
The grounds around Tigre are amply strung up with colorful hammocks, and the ocean here is crystal clear and fairly placid, which is perfect for kayaking or snorkeling. Although there isn't a kitchen at the cabañas, there's a small unnamed restaurant nearby that specializes in…
reviewed
-
Isla Robinson
The tiny islet of Robinson is the most popular backpacker destination in the Comarca. Home to the budget-friendly Robinson's Cabins, the island is the perfect destination for shoestringers who want nothing more than a thatch roof over their heads, sand beneath their toes and plenty of time on their hands.
reviewed
Advertisement