With about a thousand miles of Caribbean and Pacific coastline,
and hundreds of picturesque islands, Panama is a beach lover’s paradise.
The combination of white-sand, crystalline, tropical water and fine accommodations
attract thousands of vacationers from all over the world.
Fronting two oceans, Panama offers a connoisseur's choice
of beaches, both on the mainland and on islands just offshore. Having pleasant,
isolated beaches in the Caribbean coast and thrilling beach resorts in the Pacific
coast, Panama’s beaches are outstanding.
Surfing, scuba diving, and other water sports add-on to the
excitement that takes place in the amazing beaches of our country.
Since the Caribbean and Pacific are less than an hour apart,
one could spend the morning snorkeling in crystal clear waters exploring the
magnificent coral reefs of the Caribbean, and the afternoon deep sea fishing
in the Pacific. Hike through the lush mangroves lining the shore of the Caribbean
and surf the Pacific break.
Having white sand beaches, deserted islands, excellent fishing,
diving, surfing, and sailing, Panama becomes every beach-lover’s dream.
These qualities make places such as Bocas del Toro, the San Blas Islands, and
the enchanting Archipielago de Las Perlas ideal places to isolate yourself from
the real world.
Beaches
To the west of Panama City stretch 40 miles of striking
beaches for surfing, tanning, swimming, and even babe-watching. Punta Chame,
Nueva Gorgona, Playa Coronado, San Carlos, Turiscentro San Carlos, El Palmar,
Rio Mar, Santa Clara, Punta Barco, and Farallon, to name a but a few. All
these stifling raptures have facilities in case one stops by.
The best developed of these is Coronado, about an hour's drive from the city.
A fine, 18-hole golf course combined with first-rate hotel accommodations
and a white-sand beach guarantee the perfect tropical golf vacation.
Just as is any other country with beaches, there are specific
beaches, for specific activities. Surfing, which is the most popular water
sport in Panama, can be practiced in beaches such as: El Palmar, Rio Mar,
Punta Barco, and Playa Venao. On the other hand, if you are trying to find
a partner for that special party on Saturday, then you better go to Coronado
or Farallon.
Nevertheless, the first one of these beaches is 50 miles
away from Panama City, but from that point on…there is nothing but sand,
sun, and waves. Tour agencies occasionally offer well-structured deals in
which one can hop in a bus and travel to one or many of these beaches in a
day or two.
Coronado
Located on the Pacific coast of Panama, one hour by highway
from Panama City, Coronado is one of the most famous spots in the country.
Coronado is well known for its never-ending parties and its beautiful beaches.
Within this tropical paradise, is the Coronado Golf and Beach Resort, known
worldwide for hosting annual golf tournaments. But golf is not the only pastime
that is carried out in Coronado. Many people enjoy renting ATVs and ride them
throughout the day, ending their journey with a spectacular sunset-watch.
At night, the party’s on! People, no matter what age, go to bars or
discotheques to realize that they have had the time of their lives.
Islands
The
favorite pastime of Panamanians and visitors is enjoying the Caribbean and
Pacific beaches and islands. Both coasts have beautiful beaches with crystal
clear waters, white sand, coral reefs and coconut palm trees. These qualities
make places such as Bocas del Toro, Portobelo and the San Blas islands in
the Caribbean ideal vacation spots for sun-seekers and scuba divers. Sailing
enthusiasts can have their fun too in those quiet waters and visit the flower-island
of Taboga or the enchanting Pearl Archipelago, in which the island of Contadora
is located.
Contadora & the Pearl Islands
Contadora is the fifth largest of the Pearl Islands and
is located in the Pacific Ocean about 50 miles from Panama City. This island
features fine hotels, restaurants, a dive shop, a 9-hole golf course and even
a duty-free store. Contadora has 13 beautiful beaches. You can take excursions
to nearby islands, most of which are uninhabited, and find your own private
beach for sunbathing and picnicking. Just across the way is Pacheca Island,
roosting spot for magnificent frigate birds and an excellent spot for bird
watching.
San Blas
On
the Caribbean side, you'll find superb coral and white sand beaches at Bocas
del Toro, San Blas and Isla Grande. On the San Blas Islands, you'll meet the
wonderful Kunas, attentive and colorful hosts who will find the perfect island
for your sunbathing and snorkeling pleasure.
The islands located in the Archipielago de San Blas stretch
out along the Caribbean coast of Panama from the Golfo de San Blas nearly
all the way to the Colombian border. The islands are home to the Kuna Indians,
who run the 378 islands as an autonomous province, with minimal interference
from the national government. They maintain their own economic system, language,
customs and culture, with distinctive dress, legends, music and dance. The
economy of the islands is based on coconut sales, fishing and tourism, and
they offer travelers good diving, snorkeling and swimming; the best diving
conditions are between April and June.
San Blas is famous for one of its arts and crafts, the
mola. Kuna women make rainbow colored fabrics, emblazoned with fish, birds,
jungle animals and geometric designs that would impress Picasso himself. The
men still fish from canoes as they did before Columbus came. They still run
up to the corner coconut palm trees for something fresh and cool to drink
each morning, just as they have for untold centuries.
Isla Grande
Another outstanding destination is Isla Grande, where you
can kick back in comfortable surroundings and explore beaches, coral formations
and coconut plantations at an island pace. It is breathtaking to describe
this remote and beautiful island off the Caribbean coast near Portobelo. It
is 7 sq km (3 sq mi) in size and 300 people of African descent inhabit it.
Years ago, they used to make their living out of coconuts and fishing.
There are a handful of places to stay on the island and
boats for rent, but no dive operators or places to rent snorkeling equipment.
Tourists are often attracted to the following local festivities: San Juan
Bautista on June 24, celebrated with canoe and swimming races; El Dia de la
Virgen del Carmen, on July 16, is marked by a land and sea procession; and
Carnaval, before Ash Wednesday, is rejoiced with Calypso dancing and songs.
Bocas del Toro
The archipelago of Bocas del Toro in Panama is situated
on the northwestern coast of Panama in and around the Bay of Chiriqui. International
travelers have only recently discovered this isolated region of Panama. It
is for this reason that much of the island chain remains in pristine and untouched
splendor. It is a diver and outdoor lovers paradise with unspoiled coral reefs,
deep-sea fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling and long sandy deserted beaches.
Traveling to Bocas, as the locals call it, can either be as simple as taking
a 40 minute flight from Panama City or as adventurous as going over land by
bus and water taxi.
Some of the immaculate islands of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago
in the Caribbean Sea are within the protection of the marine Parque Nacional
Bastimentos. The park provides great diving, snorkeling and swimming, and
turtles tend to use its beaches as nesting territories. The main town on the
archipelago is Bocas Del Toro on the southeastern tip of Isla Colón.
Either way it is a destination unlike any to be found elsewhere in Panama.
Bocas del Toro is already a great investment opportunity,
once you fall in love with the place. People from all over the world are buying
properties and developing projects in this Island Vacation and Retirement
Paradise. For more information, please contact
us.
Taboga
Taboga,
popularly known as the "island of Flowers, can be reached in an hour
by boat from Panama City. A popular spot for a day trip or overnight stay,
Taboga offers fine beaches, restaurants and hotel accommodations. Popular
activities on the island include sunbathing, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing,
or just strolling along the flower-festooned paths and enjoying the slow pace
of island life.
This appealing little island, 20km (12mi) south of Panama
City, has many aspects that make a great place to escape to: an attractive
beach, a large area of protected rain forest, and is home to one of the largest
colonies of brown pelicans in Latin America. Taboga, the island itself, was
settled and established prior to Panama City. A small church is located in
the island, claimed to be second oldest in the Western Hemisphere, and Pizarro
set sail from here for Peru in 1524.
Taboga, in the Pacific, the Island of Flowers, where
Gaugin swam. Where you will never need to worry about traffic because there
are no cars. Just bikes, hot bikinis, beautiful flowers, beaches and a green
mountain rising out of the sea. The place where millions of tropical flowers
mature wildly and freely almost within waving distance of Panama City. Taboga
is the perfect location for anyone hoping to obtain entertainment and tranquility.
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Beaches
The
favorite pastime of Panamanians and visitors is enjoying the Caribbean and
Pacific beaches and islands. Both coasts have beautiful beaches with crystal
clear waters, white sand, coral reefs and coconut palm trees. These qualities
make places such as Bocas del Toro, Portobelo and the San Blas islands in
the Caribbean ideal vacation spots for sun-seekers and scuba divers. Sailing
enthusiasts can have their fun too in those quiet waters and visit the flower-island
of Taboga or the enchanting Pearl Archipelago, in which the island of Contadora
is located.
Taboga,
popularly known as the "island of Flowers, can be reached in an hour
by boat from Panama City. A popular spot for a day trip or overnight stay,
Taboga offers fine beaches, restaurants and hotel accommodations. Popular
activities on the island include sunbathing, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing,
or just strolling along the flower-festooned paths and enjoying the slow pace
of island life. 
