Island-hop through paradise in the Las Perlas archipelago, a chain of more than 250 mostly uninhabited islands in the Gulf of Panama. Located about 30 miles from the mainland, Isla Contadora serves as the jumping off point for snorkeling the idyllic castaway cays on nearby Chapera, Boyarena and Mogo Mogo. June through October brings migrating humpbacks to the area, making the Pearl Islands prime whale-watching territory.
Isla Iguana, Panama
Hire a panga (boat) from Playa Arenal in the sport fishing hub of Pedasi and motor just a few miles offshore to tiny Isla Iguana. A protected wildlife refuge, the island offers a safe haven for Panama’s largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds, as well as brown-footed boobies, black and green iguanas and hoards of hermit crabs. A short swim from the white-sand beach leads to a sprawling reef, where more than 350 species of fish make their home among 17 different varieties of colorful coral.