Page 123 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

ArchipiélAgo de lAs perlAs The Panama Canal and CenTral isThmus 121
Currently, the attractive Isla Contadora is the only island with a developed tourist
infrastructure, though the golden beaches of nearby Isla Saboga and the cream-coloured
sands of Isla Viveros – close to the archipelago’s largest island, Isla del Rey – are beginning
to draw visitors, particularly on good-value day-trips from Panama City (see box, p.122).
On the other hand, if you’re not on a budget, then consider the wonderful coral and sand
of Isla San José, only accessible via the exclusive Hacienda del Mar (Whaciendadelmar.net).
In addition to the lure of countless deserted sugar-sand beaches and reefs teeming
with multicoloured fish, a visit to the archipelago between June and October can be
rewarded with sightings of humpback whales that come to breed. As elsewhere in 2
Panama, high season coincides with the dry season but since the archipelago receives

Panama City
Isla Pachequilla arChiPiÉlaGO de las Perlas
Isla Pacheca
0 25
kilometres
Isla
Saboga Isla Contadora N
Golfo de
Isla Panamá
Chapera
Mogo Mogo

Isla Bolaños
Isla Isla
Gibraleón Casaya P A CIFIC
Isla OCEAN
Bayoneta Mina

Isla Viveros
San
Miguel

Isla Pedro
González
Isla del Rey Isla Caña
Isla de
Puerco

Isla
Isla San
San José Telmo

Hacienda del Mar
Isla Galera

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