Page 126 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

124 The Panama Canal and CenTral isThmus ArchipiélAgo de lAs perlAs
GeTTinG arOund
By golf cart Most hotels and the dive operator Coral lodgings generally offering better rates to their guests.
Dreams do a thriving trade in golf cart and ATV rental. By taxi Golf cart taxis can also take you to your destination
Prices vary (starting from $15/2hr or $75/24hr), with for around $5.
aCCOmmOdaTiOn
There’s no such thing as budget accommodation on Contadora and most lodgings are overpriced for what they offer. All
2 places listed below have a/c. Off-season midweek rates drop considerably and are often negotiable. Camping is frowned
upon, though you can easily arrange transport to camp on one of the nearby, uninhabited islands.

★ Contadora Inn B&B Paseo Urraca T6699 4614, flatscreen TV, fridge and spacious bathroom. The real treat
Wcontadoraislandinn.com. Gorgeous B&B offering is the rooftop sun deck with plunge pool and sea views.
excellent service with nine beautifully appointed en-suite Breakfast with tasty home-made bread included. $110
rooms spread across two houses. Guests share a spacious Hotel Perla Real Paseo Urraca T6982 0962,
kitchen and lounge area that opens out onto a large Wperlareal.com. Lovely modern rooms incongruously set
balcony, backed by luscious forest, with books and games round a Spanish colonial-style courtyard with fountain
and a cool hammock-strewn rancho below. $126 (only running in the rainy season!), strangely juxtaposed
Gerald’s Above the airstrip T250 4159. Ten well- with a jacuzzi. Two suites with kitchenette are available
appointed, comfortable and cool tiled rooms with ($182). $140
eaTinG
As with accommodation, eating options are limited and supply problems from the capital can mean some dishes are
not always available – though the vast stocks of Möet & Chandon in the village shop on the main square look unlikely
to run out.

ACTIVITIES ON ISLA CONTADORA
Most organized activities on contadora involve getting on or in water, which your hotel can
usually arrange for you. if you’re on a day-trip some activities may be included – such as use of
kayaks on saboga – but other activities will need to be booked separately with the operator in
advance. Although there’s reasonable snorkelling off some of contadora’s beaches, there is
more to see a little further afield. snorkelling and diving excursions usually take in the islands
of Chapera, Mogo Mogo and the sandy cay of Boyarena, which lie in a cluster south of
contadora, but trips sometimes also chug round Isla Pacheca, to the north, to see the seabird
colonies. Alternatively, you could simply arrange to be dropped at one of the nearby islands,
with a tent (or sheet sleeping bag and mosquito net) and supplies, and ask to be picked up a
day or two later. on a clear night the stars are truly scintillating.
ACTIVITY OPERATORS
Coral Dreams By the airport T6536 1776, Wcoral campfire and camping on deserted beaches (from
-dreams.com. PADI-certified outfit offering good- $550/person for two people).
value half-day snorkelling ($50 including equipment Pearl Island Paddle Playa Ejecutiva T6688 6065,
and soft drinks; minimum four people, maximum Wpearlislandpaddlepanama.com. Stand-up paddle
sixteen) and diving for both beginners and certified lessons ($120 for 1hr 30min for two people) and guided
divers ($95 for a two-tank dive). Tourists can be packed tours ($40/person for groups), with SUP board rental for
rather sardine-like in the boat in the busy summer more experienced paddlers.
months, so check on numbers in advance. Whale Watching Panama Panama City, no office
Força 3 Playa Ejecutiva T6839 8187, Wsailing T6758 7600, Wwhalewatchingpanama.com. Day-
clubpanama.com. Outings with this sailing school are trips from Contadora ($175) in small boats – and even
highly recommended; fun and experienced sailing kayaks – around the archipelago to spot migrating
instructors provide sailing or windsurfing lessons, day- humpback whales (July–Oct). Sightings are almost
trips combining sailing and snorkelling ($250 for the guaranteed. They also offer trips from Panama City
boat for one to three people) or – best of all – a four- ($150/person for a minimum of six people).
day sailing cruise around the islands, cooking over a

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