Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Isla Grande
POP 900
Palm trees and white-sand beaches form the backdrop to this lovely little island, just
15km offshore from Portobelo. A popular getaway for Panama City folk fleeing the urb-
an grind, Isla Grande is an ideal setting for snorkeling, scuba diving or simply soaking up
the island's relaxed vibe. A few hundred people of African descent live on Grande, most
of whom eke out a living from fishing and coconuts - you'll get a taste of both when you
sample the fine island cuisine.
Owing to its location on Panama's northern Caribbean coast, Isla Grande gets an awful
lot of rain year-round. Terms like 'rainy' and 'dry' seasons don't apply here, though tor-
rential showers are usually intense and short-lived.
Activities
This 5km-long, 1.5km-wide island has two trails, one that loops the shoreline and anoth-
er slippery cross-island trail. The lovely
beaches
on the northern side of the island can
be reached by boat (water taxis dock in front of Cabañas Super Jackson) or on foot.
Some fine snorkeling and dive sites are within a 10-minute boat ride of the island. If
you are interested in diving, contact one of the Portobelo-based operators. Diving is lim-
ited to between April and December, when seas are calmer.
For around US$50 one of the boaters in front of Cabañas Super Jackson will take you
on a half-day adventure. The possibilities are quite appealing - the
mangroves
east of
Isla Grande are fun to explore, or you could go
snorkeling
off the coast of the nearby is-
lets.
Festivals & Events
Isla Grande Carnaval
FESTIVAL
( Feb-Mar)
Isla Grande celebrates Carnaval in rare form. Women wear traditional
polleras
(tnational dress) while men wear ragged pants tied at the waist with old sea
rope, and everyone dances the conga. There are also satirical songs about current events
and a lot of joking in the Caribbean calypso tradition.
Festival de San Juan Bautista
FESTIVAL
Isla Grande celebrates Festival of San Juan Bautista with swimming and canoe races on
June 24.
