If you are looking for a popular day outing in Panama, where you can relax on sandy beaches all day, you have come to the right place.
Just 15 km from the hubbub of Panama City is Isla Grande, a small island off the Caribbean coast in Portobelo, Colon. The island is just a kilometer speed boat ride from La Guyara village. It has a population of around one thousand, most of whom are descendants of African slaves, and as such, the local culture shows a strong African influence.
Exploring Isla Grande
Isla Grande is a very small island – just 5 km long and around 2 km wide. The island has a single pathway running along its southern shores, which are lined with white sand beaches and palm trees that paint a beautiful setting for visitors to relax and detach from their busy lives. Nothing can beat the idea of a perfect vacation than lazing around on the beautiful beaches of Isla Grande. While on the beach, you can also go on snorkeling or scuba expeditions as the calm and clear waters will guarantee you a wonderful experience.
Another trail running through the island will help you reach the northern beaches. You can also get there by boat. On the eastern side of the island, you will find the mangrove forests, through which you can take a hike. There are no defined pathways there and you have to venture on your own.
It rains often throughout the year, alternating with the tropical heat.
Swimming
The shallow waters are extremely suitable for swimming. Moreover, the beaches here are calm and clear, so you do not have to worry about strong currents or waves. Along with an instructor, you can take a boat to the nearby islets for diving. However, diving is not advisable from December to April as the waters can be quite rough. Make sure to never venture far without the presence of an experienced guide.
Beaches
The La Punta beach that lies in front of Hotel Isla Grande is best for families. The shallow clear waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The shore is lined with palms and makes for beautiful picture taking to impress friends and family back home.
Isla Grande is a popular getaway for locals as well as tourists, and as such, it gets very crowded during weekends or on national holidays and during the tourist season. The beaches get crowded with people drinking and dancing to loud reggae music. So if you are looking to spend a relaxing stay at the island, it is best to visit during the off-season or on weekdays as they are mostly deserted.
Photography
Your pictures at Isla Grande are sure to make all of your friends and relatives jealous! The brilliant blue waters and magnificent palm trees, along with your tanned, beaming face is sure to stand out. You will also have a good time clicking pictures of the numerous islands and vegetation when you go on a boat ride. You will have extra fun if you have cameras for underwater purposes as you can find a splendid colorful underwater kingdom.
Day tours
You can also hire a boat and take a small ride to one of the uninhabited, nearby islands, like Isla Mamey or just simply go island-hopping. Excursions to the Rosario islands on catamaran boat rides are quite popular as you can find an amazing underwater world to explore. You can marvel at the brilliantly colored fish, exotic sea vegetation, and also spot dolphins if you are lucky. This is one of the best places in the area for snorkeling and spotting coral reefs.
Festivals to look out for
Isla Grande Carnival
Celebrated between February and March, the carnival is bound to be a very strange, but exciting event for you to visit. While the women dress up in colorful traditional attire, the men only wear ragged pants held up with old string! People drink and dance to the beats of Congo drums and embrace their Calypso traditions.
Festival de San Juan Batista
This festival is more like a competition that is celebrated by conducting canoe and swimming races. It is an annual festival that takes place on June 24.
La Virgen de Carmen
It is a one-of-a-kind festival that includes a procession that occurs on both sea and land. This is a religious occasion, and as such, a lot of baptisms and masses take place.
Getting to Isla Grande
You have to take a 10-minute boat ride from the coastal village of La Guyara, which is well connected to Colon through frequent bus services. If you have to reach here from Panama City, then take a bus to Colon first and change from there. There are clear signboards everywhere and you won’t have to worry about getting on the wrong bus.
Stay and Food
Isla Grande is usually a popular day trip, mainly because of the lack of proper accommodations. Make sure you bring sunscreen and all necessary beach items as you might not be able to withstand the tropical heat without them. The best options would be Macondo Hostel, Hotel Isla Grande, and Sister Moon Hotel. All of these places have restaurants where you can eat, even if you are coming for a day trip. You can also relax in the hammocks among the palm trees.
The local cuisine consists largely of seafood and tropical fruits and vegetables. Before you leave the island, make sure you try paletas de frutas, which are homemade fruit ice lollies and extremely popular to beat the bright tropical sun. When it comes to dining on the island, you have only a handful of expensive options. Hotel Congo Restaurante serves a mixture of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. Sister Moon restaurant is famous for its cocktails and it sits directly above the water. El Nido del Postre has the best food on the island.
What’s Nearby?
