Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
street that is the island's main road. From this point, the street meanders 5.2km before
ending at the old US military installation atop the island's highest hill, Cerro El Vigia.
There are no cash machines on the island, so bring money. For more information, visit
the excellent English-language site,
www.taboga.panamanow.com
.
Getting There & Away
The scenic 45-minute boat trip out to Isla Taboga is part of the island's attraction. Ferries
depart from Isla Naos on the Causeway in Panama City. The easiest way to reach the
dock is by taxi (US$6). Note that the police check ferry passengers for drugs upon ar-
rival.
Barcos Calypso
( 314-1730; round-trip US$12)
Ferries depart from Panama City to Isla
Taboga at 8:30am and 3pm Monday and Friday; 8:30am on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday; and 8am, 10:30am and 4pm on weekends. Returns from Isla Taboga are
Monday to Thursday at 4pm; Friday at 9:30am and 4:30pm; and Saturday and Sunday at
9am, 3pm and 5pm.
National Tours
( 6615-1392, 6617-0450; round-trip US$14)
This small fast ferry reaches
Isla Taboga in under 30 minutes. Daily departures from Panama City's Balboa Yacht
Club are at 8:30am and 3pm. It returns from Isla Taboga 9am and 4pm daily. There is no
indoor seating, so it isn't ideal for bad weather. Phone service is poor, so buy tickets
onsite.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Archipiélago de Las Perlas
Named for the large pearls found in its waters, the Pearl islands comprise 90 named is-
lands and more than 100 unnamed islets, each surrounded by travel-magazine-worthy,
white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Home to the palatial mansions of the rich and
powerful, Isla Contadora is the best known. In January 1979, after the Shah Mohammed
Reza Pahlavi was ousted from Iran, he packed up his large fortune to Isla Contadora. It's
one of 90 named islands in the Archipiélago de Las Perlas, any one of which is fit for a
king - or a shah. Recent real estate developments, which would add luxury homes and
resorts to areas with poor longtime settlements, are increasingly under fire.
History
