COIBA National Park – Attractions and Activities

Located in the Gulf of Chiriquí, Coiba National Park is a marine reserve off Panama’s Pacific coast. Coiba National Park (Nacional Parque Coiba) is comprised of a group of 38 islands including Coiba Island (Isla Coiba) and the waters surrounding them and covers 430,825 acres. Identified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2005, Coiba National Park offers rich and well preserved natural resources.

Because Isla Coiba served Panama as a penal colony, access to the island was very restricted. Almost by accident, 80% of the islands’ natural resources have therefore survived untouched and flourished through limited human contact.

Coiba National Park is managed by the National Authority for the Environment (Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente, ANAM). The park is accessible only by permit from ANAM.  A number of tour operators in Panama, including EcoCircuitos Panama offer adventure tours, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving trips to Coiba and can assist in obtaining appropriate permits.

The tour operators depart from several different places on the Panamanian coast.

Attractions in Coiba includes:
• Exhibition and Information Center, Park Ranger Station.
• Viewing Platforms (Miradores) El Gambute.
• Thermal Springs and Nature Interpretation Trial.
• Monkey Trail.
• Nature Interpretation Trail to ancient Mangrove Forest of Santa Cruz.
• Trial to the Waterfall at Juncal.
• Nature Interpretation Trail to the Volcanic Rift Valley.
• Volcanic Fault.
• The Island Granito de Oro (Grain of Gold)
• The Penal Colony, La Central Camp.
• Nature Interpretation trails of Jicaron and Jicarita.
• River Kayaking. Rio San Juan and Punta Hermosa.
• Nature Interpretation Trail on Isla Rancheria.
• Nature Interpretation Trail Isla Brincanco, Archipelago of Contreras.

Source:  http://www.coibanationalpark.com/

Do you know Taboga?

Cerrito Tropical B&B

Taboga Island

La isla de las flores

El Morro

Taboga Island (Spanish: Isla Taboga), also known as the “Island of Flowers”, is a volcanic island located in the Gulf of Panama. It is a tourist destination, about 20 km from Panama City, Panama and the best way to reach it is by Ferry.

The island was discovered in the 16th century and was originally named Isla de San Pedro by the Spanish explorer, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa. Its current name derives from an Indian word, aboga (“many fish”). The island’s first settlers were Indian slaves from Venezuela and Nicaragua.   For more of the history of Taboga, click here

Getting to Taboga Island:  A short ferry ride from Panama City takes you to the beautiful “Island of Flowers”. The ride is quite fun and it offers spectacular views to the city skyline, Biodiversity Museum, the Americas Bridge and the ships waiting to enter the Canal. On the island you can walk through its narrow sidewalks adorned with flowers, hike to the top peak, or go for a refreshing swim in one of its many beaches.

What to  Do:

There are two main beaches on the island, one to the left and the other to the right of the dock, this last one has a sandbar connecting Taboga with El Morro. During high tide the sandbar disappears and you can walk towards El Morro.

Sustainable Fishing: Taboga is a fishermen’s town, therefore an interesting option is to hire a local boat with captain to explore the surroundings and practice sustainable catch and release fishing.

Hiking The view from the top of the island is beautiful.  There are two options, “La Cruz” which has view back to town, and “El Vigia”, the highest elevation on the island. There are two options to reach the last one, using the main road in town that turns into a dirt road, or using a trail through the forest that starts from the park in front of the church. Sings are scarce so it’s not a bad idea to ask around.

There are some hotels to stay in the island.  Our suggestion B&B Hotel Cerrito Tropical

Boat Schedule Taboga click here

Did you know that Paul Gauguin the famous painter lived in Taboga Island for a short time and worked on the Panama Canal construction during the French years, however he was dismissed from his job after only two weeks.