Right gobsmacked in the middle of the Panamanian Pacific you’ll find a little archipelago called “Las Perlas”, which translates to “The Pearl Islands”. And to be truly, really, 100% percent honest …yes, they’re THAT beautiful. However, the group of islands got their name not because of all their natural beauty (suprisingly…I mean, really they ARE kind of like pearls) but after the main economic activity that was historically done there: pearl harvesting.
Las Perlas has some 200+ islands about an hour’s ferry ride from Panama City. Many of the islands are uninhabited, but there are a couple you can visit and stay in. The crown jewel (pun intended) of the archipelago is Contadora Island, which got its name because it’s the place where they would count the pearls after harvesting them.
But enough of historical bla bla…the REAL beauty of the place should be seen, not read:
Adventure starts with your ferry arrival:
White sand, turquoise water, luscious vegetation…
Contadora’s shores offer great variety of moods. You could go to a beach where you’ll be offered all the amenities serviced by one of the island’s resorts, discover an almost empty beach by abandoned hotel where you can bring your own everything, or go to the nudist beach if it strikes your fancy…basically the island is your oyster.
And that’s only the beginning! The island is full of beautiful spots to discover…
An abandoned ship? Contadora has got you covered:
Resorts to stay in and admire the natural beauty of the place surrounded by luxury? Fo’ sho!
Great places to explore and take souvenir photos of? PUH-LEASE Contadora has more than you can actually take pics of…
Awesome activities to do…
If you’re a fan of marine wildlife Contadora will truly be a paradise for you. The offer for snorkeling, scuba diving, and sports fishing is never-ending. Make sure to visit the island between June and September and you’ll get a chance to see the humpback whales that come very year to give birth to a new generation in Panama’s warm waters.
Love boat rides? Want to immerse yourself in a historically unchanged landscape? Charter a boat and go explore the archipelago! You’ll literally see islands that have remained unchanged for thousands of years.
There are very few actual cars on the island so people usually get around by golf cart or walking, which all adds to the adventure of figuring it out for yourself.
Evening entertainment is mellow, this is a place to enjoy nature and relax. There are a couple of really good restaurants that you need to try while staying on Contadora: Casa Tortuga whose owner/chef is Italian and will serve you the day’s menu, which changes on a daily basis (all fresh and delicious); and Gerald’s, a delightful B&B who has an incredible “catch of the day” entrée every day.
The rest is up to you to discover…don’t miss out!
Keep on rolling till you find something you love…
