Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most of the 45.3-sq-km island is covered in a bank of rainforest networked by all-
weather roads installed by the US military decades ago. Beyond the roads, the only de-
velopment on the island is the cliffside resort.
If you wanted to really get away,
Hacienda del Mar
( 269-6634, in Panama City
269-6613;
www.haciendadelmar.net
;
cabin from US$375; )
has 37 tan-sand beaches, nine
year-round rivers and seven accessible waterfalls all to itself. Each stand-alone luxury
cabin overflows with amenities, and has views to a picture-perfect sweep of beach.
Plunge into the laundry list of tours or just soak up your exclusive slice of paradise.
Prices fall to roughly half in low season. Flights between Panama City and Isla San
José (US$135 round-trip) are arranged through Hacienda del Mar. Leave a few days
between your visit and international flights, as there can be weather delays.
Islas Casaya & Casayeta
Oysters are still harvested on the archipelago, and their pearls are just as legendary as
they were when Balboa first arrived. Although pearls are sometimes offered for sale on
other islands, the best places to shop for them are Isla Casaya and neighboring Isla
Casayeta, about 12km to the south of Contadora.
When you're looking at pearls, you should know that pearl sellers tend to keep their
goods in oil, so that they'll have a lovely shine when presented - always dry the pearl
that intrigues you before you buy. Prices are generally very reasonable, and there's al-
ways room for bargaining.
Accommodations on either Isla Contadora or San José can arrange transportation to
the pearl shops on Islas Casaya and Casayeta.
PACIFIC COAST
Every weekend, thousands of stressed-out Panama City residents hop into their cars or
board buses and head west on the Interamericana - their destination: the beach.
SURFING IN PANAMÁ PROVINCE
The beaches to the southwest of the capital are a popular destination for
Panamanian surfers, especially since they're easy to access and offer relatively
consistent surf year-round. The following list will help you get started, though don't
be afraid to ask local surfers to let you in on their hidden spots.
