Panama Real Estate Blog

Panama also has more than 1,600 islands, including the Amerindian-inhabited San Blas Islands in the Caribbean Sea; the Archipelago de las Perlas in the Gulf of Panama and largest island, which serves as a penal colony, Coiba in the Gulf of Chiriqui.

Coiba – which served as a penal colony, until 2004, is located as in the Gulf of Chiriqui, located on the Pacific side of Panama, and to the west of the Azuero Peninsula. The island retains a preserved natural state because of its isolation from the mainland, and the Coiba National Park, on the island, has been declared a World Heritage site in July 2005 by UNESCO. The coral reef surrounding the island is one of the largest in the Pacific of the Americas, due to the warm Indo-Pacific current flowing through the Gulf of Chiriqui, a unique diving environment has been created with underwater and marine life not expected in Pacific waters. The Coiba National Park encompasses this island as well as 37 other smaller islands, offering a unique wildlife experience with the endemic species of this specific region.

San Blas – this group of islands, located off the north eastern coast of Panama, in the Gulf of Darien, consist of over 360 coral islands. The islands used to be known as the Mulatas Islands, and the indigienous inhabitants are almost pure blooded aborigines of Carib origin. These people were protected under treaty agreement with the Panama government from tourism and scientific observation until the late 1940s. These inhabitants are known as the Kuna and govern their own province. The Kuna are well known for their decorative art incorporated into their clothing, known as the Molas, which form a part of the traditional dress for woman of the Kuna Indians. These indigenous people have a rich folklore and close connections with their surrounding nature. They live in bamboo constructed and palm frond thatched houses, and make excellent sailors utilizing canoes known as cayucas, constructed from a single hollowed out tree trunk. These were utilised for fishing and traveling to the mainland, where the men would go hunting.

Nargana – also known as Yandup in the Kuna language, is a small island located off the northern coast of Panama. Most inhabitants are bilingual and speak Spanish and the Kuna language. Narana falls within the autonomous Kuna Yala, the area governed by the indigenous Kuna people. This island is very small and is joined to the neighboring island of Corazon de Jesus by a bridge.  There are numerous islands within the close vicinity of Nargana, which offer fantastic exploration, nature viewing and water sport activities.

Contadora – an island located within the Archipelago de las Perlas, off the coast of Panama in the Gulf of Panama. It is the fifth largest of Panama’s Islands, and has its own regional airport. This island is an extremely popular tourist destination, and is home to the historical signing of the Contadora Peace Accord. Due to its central location, its make an ideal base for exploring the island itself, as well as the numerous other islands in the archipelago. The island is geared for tourism and offers jet ski, swimming, diving and many eco tourism activities. The beaches surrounding the island are typically beautiful, with the white sand and palm tree lined paradise-like settings. The island was originally named for the counting of the pearls for the early Spanish explorers and settlers.

Nalunega – a neighboring island of the El Porvenir Island, this is a prime example of the organized cultural traits of the descendants of the Carib Indians, or the Kuna. A beautiful meeting hall is located on the island where the local society congregates for meetings. The island offers a peek into the traditional way of life of these indigenous people and their village layout, all very neat with sandy streets and their very mini market and education facility.

El Porvenir – the Seat of the Kuna Yala – the autonomous territories of the indigenous Kuna people, is located on this island off the central northern coast of Panama, in the Caribbean Sea. Besides the administrative centre for the Kuna people being located on the island, it offers the usual beauty and tropical setting offered by these Caribbean Islands. Due to the better infrastructure of El Porvenir; it makes a great central hub for exploration to surrounding islands, for exploration of the natural beauty of these islands as well the exploration of the rich culture of the Kuna people, who are a welcoming hospitable host nationality.

Ailigandi – located off the north eastern coast of the Panamanian mainland in the Caribbean Sea. This island forms part of the Kuna Yala, of the indigenous Kuna people. The island is inhabited by a calculated 1800 people. One of the islands that are run as a tourist destination by the Kuna people, it has been upgraded and is a fairly modern environment. The La Palmeco hotel is an example of the embracing of tourism principles that the Kuna people have adopted.

Wichubwala – located between the islands of El Porvenir and Nalunega, this island has taken progressive steps to providing the tourist with a truly modern and comfortable destination. Easy access to surrounding islands and the natural beauty ensures a pleasurable experience with day trips for the fisherman and adventures to outlying inhabited and uninhabited islands.

Carti-sugtupu – a fairly well established infrastructure this island is predominantly reliable on the tourism trade, with the cruise ships often anchoring just off the shores of this beautiful paradise. There is an array of Kuna arts and crafts available from the locals at reasonable prices.

Isla Bastimentos – a scenic area of beauty, including the Bastimentos National Park, the island sports fantastic beaches, inlets and coves all around. They have a beach named, Red Frog Beach, named after the poisonous red frog, endemic to this area. This island was deemed a well kept secret, due to its natural unspoiled beauty. Within the national park you can venture to Crawl Cay or Zapatilla Cay, both of which are situated on the southern portion of the island. The National Park teams with wildlife, however, sometimes it proves difficult to view due to the scattered islands; white faced and Titi monkeys are common, as well as the many sloth that are resident; and one has the opportunity to view wonderful marine and bird life.
All the islands around Panama offer the tourist a fantastic opportunity to participate in watersports and diving. The reefs abound with marine life and hundreds of species of fish and coral. The Caribbean sea side off the San Blas and Bocas del Toro areas offers great scub and snorkeling diving, it must be mentioned that the Pacific Ocean side is the better diving choice due to the warm Indo-Pacific current encouraging a unique and colorful collection of coral reefs and tropical fish. The amazing scenery coupled with the adventure of the rugged coast line on the Pacific side make for a truly unforgettable destination. The Caribbean side tends to offer a more serene established tourist destination. Each side of Panama has unique features to offer and it is recommended that both sides be explored to appreciate the full value Panama has to offer.

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