The enchanting islands of Panama

Panama is a country in Central America bordering Costa Rica and Colombia. It has over 1400 islands. Not all are open to tourists. The islands you can visit are truly beautiful. In this blog post, you'll discover some of these paradise islands.

The unique islands of San Blas

The San Blas Archipelago (Islas de Guna Yala) is an archipelago of 357 islands. Forty-nine of these islands are inhabited by the local population: the Guna. The Guna have their own language, religion, and customs. Some of these islands are open to tourists. The archipelago is located northeast of Panama City.

How to get there?

The islands are accessible by boat from the port of Cartí. To reach the port, you first have to drive through the mountains and jungle in a 4x4. The easiest way to book a trip to the San Blas Islands is from Panama City. Most providers will pick you up from a hotel, hostel, or meeting point in Panama City. The journey to the port of Cartí takes about two and a half hours.

There are several ways to visit the San Blas Islands, ranging from one day to several days. When you book a multi-day tour, you'll stay on one or more San Blas islands. It's usually not known in advance which island you'll stay on, as it depends on how busy it is at that time. On the island where you stay, one or more Guna families will take care of your accommodation and food during your visit. We booked a multi-day trip with Sea San Blas Tours, staying on Isla Anzuelo. You can choose to stay in a dorm or a private cabin.

It's also possible to sail past the San Blas Islands and explore various islands. Many backpackers use this method to cross from Colombia to Panama and vice versa. You'll sleep on a boat or on one of the islands while crossing to the other country. Note: it's recommended to book this well in advance to secure a spot on the boat.

What to do?

Most islands have hammocks and several seating areas where you can relax. Volleyball was also a popular pastime. Food and drink options vary from island to island. Most islands serve chicken or freshly caught fish for lunch and dinner. Pancakes or eggs are on the menu for breakfast. Alcohol, coconut, and soft drinks are also available on most islands. In the evenings, we played games (brought our own) with the other guests staying on the island.

Besides our own island, we visited the following islands with Sea San Blas: Isla Perro, "the swimming pool," Isla Niadub, and "main island." Which islands you visit on a day trip depends on the weather, the captain, and the guide.

Tip for the boat

In high waves, you'll get very wet in the front of the boat. If you don't want to get (too) wet, it's better to sit a bit further back.

Isla Taboga: the green flower island

Isla Taboga is an island located south of Panama City. This volcanic island boasts beautiful beaches and abundant greenery. Because of its lush greenery, it's also known as "the flower island."

How to get there?

From Panama City, you can book a day trip to this beautiful island. You can travel to the island by catamaran, enjoying the sea and the views along the way. A ferry also departs daily from the Amador Causeway (in Panama City) and takes you to the island in thirty minutes.

What to do?

The most beautiful view of the island can be found at Cerro de la Cruz. From the main street in Taboga, a path takes you to this magnificent viewpoint in about 45 minutes. Besides relaxing on the beach, you can also enjoy excellent snorkeling around the island. It's also lovely to stroll through the streets of Taboga town, lined with colorful houses. Near Isla Taboga lies another beautiful island: Isla Taboguilla. This small island offers tranquil beaches and stunning marine life.

Beautiful nature and party in Bocas del Toro

The Bocas del Toro archipelago is an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. It lies northeast of Panama City, near the border with Costa Rica. The archipelago is a popular backpacker destination and is also known for its Filthy Friday backpacker party: a party where you take a boat to visit several bars and hostels.

How to get there?

From the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City, there's a night bus to Almirante for $35. This bus takes you there in about 11 hours. Afterward, you'll need to take a taxi to the port of Palanga. You can also take the bus to Almirante from other locations in Panama. However, direct buses don't run from some locations, requiring several transfers. From the port of Palanga, you can take a taxi boat to Isla Colón, also known as the main island or Bocas Town, for $6. It's also possible to book a shared shuttle from various locations in Panama that takes you semi-directly to Bocas Town. There's also a flight to the archipelago from Panama City.

From Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica, the easiest way is to book a shuttle bus, which takes you to Bocas Town in about four hours. Apparently, public transportation is also available, but it's difficult to find the correct bus routes. We traveled from Puerto Viejo via Caribe Shuttle for 35$ to the main island.

What to do?

A real must-do when visiting the islands is starfish spotting at Playa Estrella, also known as Starfish Beach. This beach is located northwest of Bocas Town. You can visit this beach on an organized boat tour combined with other beautiful beaches, or you can travel there on your own. If you want to visit the beach yourself, you can do so by scooter, taxi, or bus. A bus to Playa Drago leaves from the park in Bocas Town every hour on the hour (if it's full). If you get off after 45 minutes, you'll have to walk a bit further and take a short walk (about 15 minutes) along the beach lined with beautiful palm trees.

Another must-do is visiting Bastimentos Island, also known as Red Frog Island. The island is named after the small red poisonous frogs that inhabit it. Sloths, crocodiles, and monkeys also roam the jungle. You can stay overnight on the island or take a day trip. The beautiful beach on the north side of the island is a wonderful place to relax.

Bambuda Lodge

Bambuda Lodge is located on Isla Solarte and receives excellent reviews from guests. The property has its own swimming pool and bar/restaurant. Both private and dorm rooms are available.

View on Google Maps

Palmar Beach Lodge

Palmar Beach Lodge is located on Bastimentos Island. You can stay in a cabin, tent, or dorm room. The accommodation is situated both on the beach and next to the jungle. In the mornings, you can spot monkeys in the trees, and in the evenings you'll also see baby red frogs. The restaurant serves delicious food. Be careful if you're vegan and/or lactose intolerant. During our stay, some products containing cheese were labeled as vegan.

View on Google Maps

Add the beautiful islands of Panama to your bucket list, because you definitely have to visit these enchanting islands!

Useful information

• Official language: Spanish

• Currency: US dollar

• Area: 75,517 km²

• Best time to travel: Panama's dry season is between November and April, making this the best time to travel.