Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACTIVITIES ON ISLA CONTADORA
Most organized
activities
on Contadora involve getting on or in water, which your hotel
can usually arrange for you. Although there's reasonable
snorkelling
off some of Conta-
dora's beaches, there is more to see a little further afield. The PADI-certified Coral Dreams
( 6536 1776,
coral-dreams.com
)
, down by the airport, offers half-day snorkelling ($50
including equipment and soft drinks) and
diving
for both beginners and certified divers.
Tourists can be packed rather sardine-like in the boat in the busy summer months, so check
on numbers in advance. The snorkelling excursion usually takes in the islands of
Chapera,
Mogo Mogo
and the sandy cay of
Boyarena
, which lie in a cluster south of Contadora and
were locations for several series of the US reality TV show
Survivor
.
A newer operator, Contadora Island Tours ( 6758 7600,
contadoraislandtours.com
;
tours $50-150), operates out of
The Point Hotel
, and offers a more varied tour diet ac-
companied by naturalist guides: kayaking, fishing, catamaran cruises, glass-bottomed boat
excursions, snorkelling trips and
birdwatching
- the islands of Pacheca and Pachequilla,
about 3km northwest of Contadora, are important sea-bird nesting sites.
Whale Watching Panama ( 6758 7600,
whalewatchingpanama.com
)
offers
whale-
watching
day-trips from Contadora ($150) and from Panama City ($200/person for a min-
imum of six people) in small boats round the archipelago to spot humpback whales in the
migration season (July-Oct). Sightings are almost guaranteed.
Alternatively, arrange to be dropped at one of the nearby islands, with a tent (or sheet
sleeping bag and mosquito net) and some supplies, and ask to be picked up a day or two
later. On a clear night the stars are truly scintillating.
ACCOMMODATION
There's no such thing as budget
accommodation
on Contadora and most lodgings are over-
priced for what they offer. All places listed here have a/c. Off-season midweek rates drop
considerably and are often negotiable.
Camping
is frowned upon, though you can easily ar-
range transport to camp on one of the nearby, uninhabited islands.
Contadora Inn B&B
Paseo Urraca 6699 4614,
contadoraislandinn.com
.
Gorgeous
two-house B&B offering excellent service with nine beautifully appointed en-suite rooms. In
each of the two houses, guests share a spacious kitchen and lounge area, books and games,
opening out on
to a
large balcony backed by luscious forest, with a cooler hammock-strewn
rancho
below.
$95
Gerald's
Above the airstrip 250 4159.
Ten well-appointed, comfortable, cool tiled rooms
with flat-screen TV, fridge and spacious bathroom. The real treat is the roof-t
op su
n deck with
plunge pool and sea views. Breakfast with tasty home-made bread included.
$112
