1000 Island Country
On a recent research trip to Panama, a local described it to me as the 1000 island country, something I hadn’t previously imagined. Nicaragua is the land of volcanoes, Guatemala the land of the Maya… I’d been used to thinking of Panama primarily as the jungle-rich country surrounding the canal. But islands?
Running down its Pacific coast is a fine archipelago of islands dotting the deep blue on the map. Outside Panama, you need to head all the way north to Alaska and B.C, or south to the tip of Chile, to find anything similar. Combine those with the plethora of islands off the country’s Caribbean coast…and a 1000 island country it is indeed.
Although often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours (hello Costa Rica), Panama is the link between Central and South America, and packs a mighty punch. On the Caribbean side you can find the secluded San Blas islands surrounded by sparkling crystalline waters. With 365 islands in total, you could spend a year exploring their raw natural beauty and vibrant indigenous culture, one island per day… but if you have less time, we can arrange private catamaran charter by the week or day. Or how about Bocas del Toro near the border of Costa Rica? Consisting of 6 bigger islands, it’s a popular destination with high-end jungle resorts, overwater bungalows and a thriving nightlife in the quirky town of Bocas itself. Scruffy beach bums and surfers mix with the well heeled and the high heeled.
You can’t go wrong on the Pacific side either, specifically around the gulf of Chiriqui where coconut-strewn wild beaches line the edge of the ocean teeming with abundant marine life. You can snorkel or scuba dive through one of the world’s most extensive and biodiverse marine parks at Coiba National Park, and spend your evenings with your toes in the sand in a gorgeous private island lodges.
We can’t forget the Pearl Islands either, about 50 miles southeast of Panama City, a collection of 200 mostly uninhabited islands, known for their white sand beaches, scuba diving, marine life and thriving ecosystems.
So get your island playlist prepped and picture yourself on a secluded paradise in the midst of the blue, blue ocean. And get in touch for your Panamanian island extravaganza!
