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Panama’s 5 Most Idyllic Island Destinations

Not every tropical island looks like something you’d see on a postcard.  But if you’re looking for a destination that’s both picturesque and serene, then these five Panama islands are your hands-down best options.

San Blas Islands

photo by Ben Kucinski

Ben Kucinski

Although they’ve suffered a bit of an identity crisis (with the name being changed to Kuna Yala and then finally Guna Yala in 2011, although San Blas is still the moniker by which they’re best known), this archipelago is one of Panama’s most visually and culturally stunning destinations.

Made up of a total of 378 islands, of which only 49 are inhabited, the islands are almost entirely occupied by the Guna (or Kuna) Indians.  The hundreds of white sand islands, spread out across the turquoise water, are dotted with palm trees and the thatched huts of the local inhabitants.

The Guna people are welcoming to visitors, yet not to big business, which allows for an authentic cultural experience with no tourist traps or ugly hotels to spoil the vibe.  The islands have been featured numerous times in National Geographic for their perfect marriage of tropical beauty and bona fide culture.

Rated the #3 tropical paradise in the world by Lonely Planet in 2011, the San Blas Islands offer opportunities for snorkeling, diving, sailing, and kayak tours of the islands.  On land, you can also explore the dense rainforests or visit one of the Guna Indian villages.

Bocas del Toro

photo by Marc Wisniak

Marc Wisniak

The number one tourist destination in Panama, the islands of Bocas del Toro perfectly fit the bill of what most people are looking for in a Caribbean getaway.  They offer white sand beaches, towering palms, aquatic adventures, and the most adorable little clusters of cabins built on stilts right out in the water.  

Bocas Town, on Isla Colon, is a city of about 13,000 and boasts plenty of restaurants, hotels, bars, and other tourist attractions.  However, if you’re looking for a bit more solitude, there are plenty of places where you can find a practically deserted stretch of beach or hike through thick rainforests with nothing but a few rare birds to keep you company.

The islands also claim some of Panama’s best surfing, with a wide variety of surf breaks for all skill levels.  Catamaran tours are a great way to see the islands, as well as the mangroves, dolphins, manatees, and the red dart frogs that live exclusively on one of the islands.

Make sure you don’t miss the gorgeous Zapatilla Keys Beach where a whopping 18 different countries have come to film their “Survivor” series.  There are also a number of great spots for snorkeling and diving, as well as river tours that lead to an authentic Ngobe Bugle Indian village.

Pearl Islands

photo by Gaspar Serrano

Gaspar Serrano

Located in the Gulf of Panama about 30 miles from Panama City, the Pearl Islands archipelago includes about 100 islands, many of which are uninhabited.  Also home to three seasons of CBS’s “Survivor,” the islands offer some of the country’s most beautiful scenery.

The most popular of the islands is Contadora Island.  Its small airport makes it easily accessible.  And its luxury hotels, restaurants, and 9-hole golf course are conveniently tucked in among the island’s 13 beautiful beaches.

The island’s name means “counter” in Spanish, aptly named since the island served as a spot where Spanish conquistadors would go to tally their pearl harvest.  Thousands were found during the 16th century, including a 400-year-old, 31 carat pearl now owned by Elizabeth Taylor.

You can still buy pearls on the islands today, but their biggest attractions are their sparsely-populated, postcard-worthy beaches.

Isla Grande

photo by 2 BP

2 BP

Just a few miles off the coast of Portobelo, a picturesque town with rich Spanish history, lies Isla Grande.  Home to the popular Bananas resort, it’s a top destination among Panama City residents who want to get away from the hubbub of the city and relax on the island’s palm-lined beaches.  

The quaint little island is home to only a few hundred people who mostly earn their living off fishing and coconuts, trends that are evident in the island’s cuisine.  It boasts a relaxed vibe and a considerable amount of rainfall due to its location on the country’s northern Caribbean coast.

Isla Grande also offers some excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.  The waters between it and Portobelo claim a number of shipwrecks and coral reefs.

Boca Chica

photo by VivaTropical

VivaTropical

Located in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Boca Chica boasts over 50 islands scattered throughout the gulf off the coast of the town of Boca Chica.  The islands are easily accessible thanks to a newly widened highway to the city of David, where the large international airport will soon be receiving flights from the U.S. and other destinations.

Newly emerging as an up-and-coming tourist destination, the area has a few lodging options, including a fishing lodge and an eco-boutique hotel.  But what it currently lacks in tourist infrastructure, it easily makes up for in impressive scenery and uninhabited islands waiting to be explored.

There are ghostly mangroves, otherworldly ancient rainforests, white sand beaches, and a myriad of flora and fauna.  On Boca Chica Island itself is Monte Vida Park, a 50-acre crowd-funded park that’s the first of its kind.

Also nearby are Coiba Island and Hannibal Bank, which are home to some of the best fishing in the entire world, as evidenced by the astounding number of world record catches that occurred in their waters.  Popular species include yellowfin tuna, blue and black marlin, sailfish, and dorado.

See our Panama articles for more information on these and other popular destinations.  You can also check out our listings of islands for sale if you’re interested in making your tropical paradise experience a little more long term.

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