Our Neighbors in the Pearl Islands
From refined elegance to barefoot casual to Artisanal fishing villages (and to deserted islands
and beaches), the Pearl Islands has whatever you are looking for.
Isla Contadora
During the mid-1900’s Contadora became a second home destination for wealthy
Panamanians and foreigners and was known as the “Gateway to the Pearl Islands.” Now, a
few lucky tourists and retirees have discovered Contadora but little else has changed. Contadora also hosts a few boutique hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, Air-B&B’s, home rentals, restaurants and supply stores.
The main mode of transportation is golf carts, and local islanders with their small
boats vie to take visitors fishing or island hopping. There is a great scuba shop
and local golf cart rental is available.
Pearl Island
Once known as Pedro Gonzalez, the name changed when it was developed as an exclusive
Ritz Carlton Residences. Boat on over to the marina, or land at their private runway,
and eat at the world-class restaurant and beach club. It’s also a great spot to meet some of the wealthy, influential, and famous who live and vacation in Panama.
Isla Viveros
Home to the respected Mara’naa Resort, Isla Viveros has it’s own private runway and
marina, a gorgeous beach club, hotel and outstanding restaurants. There’s a Jack
Nicholas designed golf course in the works and spectacular white sand beaches surrounded by the crystal clear Pearl Island waters.
Isla San Jose
Isla San Jose is the largest privately owned island in the Americas. It’s home
to Hacienda Del Mar, a “barefoot elegance” hotel and restaurant that is sure to
delight. It has a grass runway, regular commercial flights, spectacular fishing, both onshore, inshore and bluewater, and is home to dozens of hand-raised toucans, guacamayas and macaws.
and more neighbors…
Adventures await you on your next visit to the Pearl Island Archipelago…
Mogo Mogo
Also known as “Survivor Island, due to numerous versions of the Reality TV program
filmed there, Mogo Mogo still retains its appeal as the perfect deserted island with
coconut palms and white sand beaches. It’s also a great place to be dropped off for the day for a romantic picnic lunch, snorkel in the crystalyne waters and nap in a hammock between two palm trees!
Isla Del Rey
Also known as the “Island of the King”, Isla del Rey is the second-largest island in Central America. It’s home to several small fishing villages, an amazing array of birds and wildlife, and some of the best fishing in Panama. There are also dozens of anchorages and harbors, and MILES of uninhabited beaches. There is regular ferry and commercial plane service to the island and some of its villages.
San Telmo
Designated a Nature Preserve, Isla San Telmo is a pristine little island with a colorful history. Resting in the shallow waters of its beach, one of the first submarines to ever be built is beached and rusting there. First thought to be an abandoned Japanese mini sub that was attempting to sabotage the Panama Canal, it was later determined to be one of the first submersible vessels, and was used for pearl diving… until several fatal cases of the “bends” ended its career. Now you can climb aboard at low tide!
Islas Saboga, Galeta, Elephante, Casaya, Canas, Chapera…
There are dozens more islands in the Pearl Island Archipelago just waiting to be
explored. Some have fishing villages on them, some are privately owned, some are raw
land with their own springs, creeks, coconut palms, turtles… and rumor has it that at least one of them has buried treasure from the time when Pirates prowled the islands looking to take advantage of the Spanish galleons that regularly transited the island chain.