Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Isla Coiba
All visitors report first to the ANAM station at Playa Gambute, on the northern tip of the is-
land, to pay the entrance fee and sort out accommodation (for those staying on the island).
You can spend a pleasant day just hanging out round the camp. There's an interpretative
centre, some moderate snorkelling in the sandy cove and a couple of easy short
walks
afford-
ing pleasant views and some tranquil birdwatching. Iguanas and agoutis are frequent dawn
visitors to the lawn-cum-part-time football pitch fronting the main beach, and spider mon-
keys are often sighted swinging through the surrounding vegetation.
A more strenuous but fascinating hike, the
Sendero de Santa Cruz
, leads from the ANAM
station through primeval rainforest, crossing crocodile-infested rivers to the west coast at
Santa Cruz. For this trek, you'll need to engage one of the wardens as a guide; if you have
your own transport you can hike the trail one way and arrange to be ferried back to the
ANAM station by boat. Indeed, access to the flora and fauna on most of the island is ex-
tremely limited without a
boat
. Many of the tourist spots are inconveniently spaced out along
the lengthy eastern coastline, hence the cost of trips.
Sendero de los Monos and Granito de Oro
The first stop on a tour, only a short boat ride from the ANAM station, is usually the 1km
Sendero de los Monos
, though you'll need to be here early to encounter the elusive white-
faced capuchins or the island's unique variety of howler monkey. Just across the water from
the trail lies one of the most popular snorkelling spots,
Granito de Oro
(“the little grain
of gold”), a speck of soft sand surrounded by translucent water, plentiful coral and pro-
lific fish, including the occasional nurse shark and turtle. However, smaller cruise ships
(Dec-April) periodically stop off here and smother the sand with deckchairs and assorted
aquatic paraphernalia, causing the fish to scarper. The park rangers can advise you on timing.
