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Whether you need a little bit of peace and quiet or a lot, a Panama island vacation can offer you everything you want out of a vacation — adventure, sunshine, excitement, tranquility, and fun! Panama has hundreds of islands, and they each offer a unique experience — from the colour of the sand to activities you can enjoy. On the Caribbean coast, you'll find the Bocas del Toro and Guna Yala archipelagos. Along the Pacific side, there are the Pearl Islands and islands within the Gulf of Chiriquí.
Actually, there is something that Panama’s islands have in common — they are picturesque and often have unrivaled access to secluded beaches and marine areas. It’s easy to arrange snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, and fishing trips during your stay. Some islands are well developed, like those within Bocas del Toro; others are entirely uninhabited, which means you have a great chance of seeing wildlife before you see another person.
Peruse this list and discover which of Panama's islands most appeals to your travel needs.
Destinations
Panama highlights: Panama Islands
Not sure where you want to go yet? Get inspired and browse the best places to visit in Panama
Bocas Town
Bocas town is a bohemian, waterfront town on Isla Colón. It's the largest and funkiest town in the Bocas del Toro archipelago and is visited by travelers from all over the world. Hotels, restaurants, gourmet grocery stores and other tourist facilities crowd the small town, making it one of the most popular places in all of Panama.
Explore DestinationIsla Colón
Isla Colón, the bustling centerpiece of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, is primarily known for Bocas town, the waterfront town upon which nearly all the amenities of the archipelago are built. Outside the town, however, are plenty of places to play. These include beautiful beaches, picturesque swimming holes, and incredible surf spots.
Explore DestinationIsla Boca Brava
Isla Boca Brava is a small island located in Panama’s Golfo de Chiriquí. The Golfo is also home to Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí, a national marine park that covers 14,740 hectares and protects 25 islands and 19 coral reefs. Although Boca Brava is the best jumping-off point for adventures into the marine park, the 3000-hectare island has its own unspoiled natural gems for guests to explore. There are numerous trails, accessible beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. Additionally, there are several pleasant accommodations situated on the island.
Explore DestinationGuanidup Island
Guanidup is one of the tiny islands that makes up the vibrant San Blas archipelago, right off Panama’s Caribbean Coast. These islands have been the domain of the indigenous Guna people since 1925, and they protect their culture along with the pristine environment. Visitors here get to explore white sand beaches lined with coconut trees, lapped by bright blue water.
Explore DestinationSapibenega Island
Sapibenega Island is one of the 378 islands in the San Blas archipelago. This small island covers 2.5 acres (1 ha), which is just enough space for you to feel like you have your very own island. These islands are famous for being the ideal island escape – with sand is so white, and water so clear, they’re the ultimate in tropical island getaways.
Explore DestinationIsla Contadora
Located 30 miles off the Pacific coast of Panama, Isla Contadora is the most developed place in the Pearl Islands. This accessible island has lucrative real estate, luxury accommodations and world-class beaches.
Explore DestinationYandup Island
Like all of the islands in the Guna Yala Comarca, these islands are surrounded by bright, clear water. You’ll be greeted by swaying palms and hammocks, within easy access of the coral reef that’s just off shore. Visitors here tend to fill their days with boating, swimming, and trips to nearby Guna communities.
Explore DestinationIsla Popa
Popa Island is the second-largest islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, located just south of Bastimentos Islands. From the northern side of the island, it takes just 30 minutes to reach the town of Bocas del Toro by boat. Popa Island is also a jumping off point for tours around the archipelago. This is one of the most well-developed towns in the archipelago, and has a nice selection of restaurants and cafes.
Explore DestinationAchutupu Island
Achutupu is a tiny private island along the western edge of the Gula Yala archipelago—both El Porvenir and Cartí are fairly close. You may hear this island referred to by its old name, Isla Perro, or "Dog Island." Travelers come here to meet with the Guna, on one of the most densely populated islands in the archipelago.
Explore DestinationCartí
Set to the south of El Porvenir, this cluster of islands is collectively referred to as Cartí (Gardi). It takes around 45-minutes on a motorized boat to reach them from the mainland. The main island in the group, Cartí Suitupu, is large and colorful and houses a Guna museum.
Explore DestinationCoco Blanco Island
Coco Blanco is a tiny island that you can circumnavigate in 10 minutes. There are cabins for travelers who want to sleep not far from the idyllic Caribbean shore. The accommodations here are quite basic, and travelers here should plan to enjoy the simple luxury of lounging on and exquisite beach. But if a serene beach getaway is what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.
Explore DestinationTaboga Island
Located in the Gulf of Panama, Taboga Island sits only 12 nautical miles from Panama City. Often referred to as the “island of flowers," Taboga Island's tropical climate averages a daily temperature of 83 ºF, providing the perfect conditions for growing an abundance of colorful, vibrant flowers.
Explore DestinationIsla Diablo
This is one of the tiny islands in San Blas that makes you feel like it’s just you, the sun, the sand, and the sea. Visit Isla Diablo for its wide, white sand beach, not far from the remains of a shipwreck. The shipwreck makes a tremendous place to see marine wildlife, and it’s close enough that you can swim there from the beach.
Explore DestinationUaguitupo Island
Uaguitupo Island is a tiny island in the Guna Yala archipelago. You may hear it referred to by its other name, “Dolphin Island.” It offers simple accommodations, a short boat ride from islands that offer you a peek into the world of the Guna. While you’re here, you’ll get to experience one of the most stunning beaches in the world.
Explore DestinationSan Cristobal Island
San Cristóbal Island is often overlooked by tourists but its rich marine wildlife and well preserved Indian villages make it a worth the trip if you have the time.
Explore DestinationPlayon Chico
Playon Chico is a large island in the Guna Yala archipelago. The village is fairly modern and has a large health center, several churches, and homes made of concrete. It's on many itineraries to the San Blas islands – it’s one of the most accessible islands, with a bridge that connects it to the mainlands.
Explore DestinationCorazón de Jesús and Narganá
The islands of Corazón de Jesús and Narganá are set some 25 miles (40 km) east of El Porvenir in the Guna Yala archipelago. The islands are much less traditional than other islands, but have a few basic services that can be helpful to travelers.
Explore DestinationSolarte Island
Solarte Island, also known as Nancy’s Cay, is set slightly over a mile (2 km) off the east side of Colón Island. A part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Solarte Island is best known for Hospital Point, a popular diving and snorkeling spot.
Explore DestinationIsla del Rey
At 92 square miles (240 sq. km), Isla del Rey (King Island) is the largest of the Pearl Islands. In fact, the only island in Panama that’s larger than Isla del Rey is the massive Isla Coiba. Isla Del Rey also has the most inhabitants of all the Pearl Islands—around 2,000 people live here.
Explore DestinationCorbiski Island
Corbiski Island is one of the San Blas islands that’s closer to the mainland. The village isn't super traditional (cinderblock houses and electricity exist), but it does give travelers a good opportunity to interact with local Guna.
Getting here from the mainland is quite an adventure on its own – there’s the road trip through the jungle in an all-terrain vehicle, before you reach the shore and meet your boat for the most scenic cruise of your life. Of course, travelers who don’t want to experience the jostle of a jungle road trip can opt for a flight.
Explore DestinationEl Porvenir
El Porvenir is a small island that acts as a gateway for trips into the western portion of the Guna Yala archipelago. The island has an airstrip that receives flights from Panama City.
Explore DestinationIsla San José
Isla San José is a large private island in Panama’s Pearl Islands. At 16 square miles (44 sq. km), Isla San José is the second-largest island in the archipelago. It’s 55 miles from the coast of Panama and very secluded.
Explore DestinationSenidup Island
Senidup Island is actually just half of an island – the other half is called Franklin’s Island. You can choose from private huts or dormitory-style accommodations. It’s a hospitable place for backpackers, as well as anyone ready to let go and unwind.
Explore DestinationPearl Islands
Comprised of ninety islands and countless unnamed islets, the Pearl Islands are set off Panama's Pacific coast in the Bay of Panama. They are surrounded by aquamarine water and boast soft sand beaches that are lined with palm trees.
Explore DestinationAguja Island
Aguja Island has some of the best-developed traveler services of anywhere in San Blas. It also has a spacious white sand beach, one of the longest in the San Blas archipelago. It’s not far from here to the mainland, making it an easy island to start your exploration of the San Blas islands, especially close to the port of Cartí. Travelers might come here on a day trip from Panama City.
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Insider-led Panama Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
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