Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and conveniently ignores the existence of much earlier cultures. Vestiges of pre-Columbian
communities, the most ancient of which was an eleven-thousand-year-old fishing village at
Sarigua - currently the oldest known settlement on the isthmus - provide evidence both of
an earlier history and of the conquistadors' brutal efficacy in wiping it out, still notable today
when you notice the absence of indigenous communities in the region.
The Azuero's greatest appeal lies in its many
festivals
, but there's more to the peninsula
than partying: for the nature lover,
Isla Iguana
and
Isla de Cañas
offer very different but
fascinating wildlife experiences, the former a major nesting site for the chest-puffing frigate-
birds, boasting coral beaches and rich snorkelling, while the latter affords a rare opportunity
to witness the mass breeding of olive ridley
turtles
. The peninsula's eastern seaboard hosts
various important
wetlands
teeming with birdlife. Deserted
beaches
fringe the coastline -
broad tan, chocolate and black stretches of sand welcome top-notch
surfing
waves while
world-class
sport fishing
takes place off the legendary “Tuna Coast”, with many enthusi-
asts using understated
Pedasí
as a base. In contrast, the more undulating, and slightly greener
western flank of the peninsula offers a chance to get off the beaten track and explore a more
rugged coastline.
