 Pearl Islands
From Panama City, a fifteen minute plane ride (Aeroperlas) or a two hour ferry ride to Contadora takes you into the land of pirates and pearls where over 90 islands and 130 islets make up the Archipiélago de las Perlas, named by Balboa in 1513. Buccaneers hid out here to attack Spanish Armadas laden with treasure. Oysters and their pearls are still found in these aqua colored waters. Over the centuries, pearls harvested here have adorned kings and queens of Europe, they include the 400 year old, 31-carat famous "La Peregrina" pearl now owned by Elizabeth Taylor. The calm waters are great for fishing sailing and snorkeling. Only a few of the islands are inhabited.
Contadora
 This largest and most visited of the Pearl Islands was named as the counting house for the pearls. There are 13 spectacular beaches on three sides of this 1.2 sq.km island. The five coral fields around the island offer incredible snorkeling where fascinating marine life includes white tipped reef sharks, schools of tropical fish, rays and turtles in profusion. Contadora has the only officially designated nudist beach in Panama. There are few hotels; the largest is the Contadora Resort where most tours, fishing, snorkeling and sailing can be arranged. Four wheelers can be rented to explore the island. The Contadora Resort has a 9-hole golf course and tennis courts and is situated on the beautiful white sands of Playa Larga. Here are the homes of the rich and famous. The Shah of Iran once owned a home nearby. Excursions by boat or jet-ski can be arranged to visit other islands such as Pacheca Island where magnificent frigate birds roost and bird watching is memorable.
Taboga Islands
 This is a small group of Pacific islands that can be reached in approximately 1 hour by boat from Panama City (pier 18 Balboa twice daily), on a weekend you will probably require a reservation on this ferry. The island is quieter during the week. Isla Taboga at 571 hectares is the largest island, also known as the ´Island of Flowers". It is a popular weekend destination for residents of Panama City who come to enjoy the slower pace of island life, the flowers, the beaches, and the water sports. As in most areas of Panama an island is more than its beaches, Taboga has its own area of protected rain forest and is home to one of the largest breeding colonies of brown pelicans in the world.
Taboga is older than Panama City and its tiny church is reputed to be the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. From 1515 the Spanish colonized the island until it was used by the pirates and buccaneers in the 17th century to attack the Spanish ships. Pizarro set said from here to discover Peru. You can still see ships today lining up to enter the Panama Canal and on your return to Panama City you will have an incredible view of the Bridge of the Americas.
In this oasis of tranquility there are no cars, tropical flowers are the only ones jostling for position, beautiful beaches and a green mountain rising out of the sea. Watch for humpbacks during August to October when migrating whales can be seen from the shores. Swim where Gaugin swam and take time to smell the flowers! |
