Las Perlas Archipelago

Visit a natural treasure in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just minutes from Panama City, Panamá.. The Las Perlas Archipelago is a group of 39 islands and 100 islets, mostly in a natural state. Islands surrounded by crystal-clear water and white sandy beaches that invite you to adventure. A tropical paradise awaits you.

View of the balcony of a beautiful hotel, deep blue sea and a small boat in the background.

The Islands

Explore the Las Perlas Archipelago in the best way possible: taking a tour of the islands to see postcard-worthy beaches, rocky islands, trails full of life and much more.

The main island of the archipelago is Contadora Island. Due to the convenience of its services and the number of rental houses it offers, it's a good destination to visit as a point of reference. In addition, this small island has more than 10 beaches, each with its own different personality. Visit Playa Larga, Playa Sueca or Playa Cacique, the most well-known, and enjoy the water by surfing, windsurfing or snorkeling.

If you want to stay on more isolated islands, visit the islands of Saboga, Bolanos and San Jose. All three have hotels in the middle of nature where you'll find a haven of peace. Practice yoga, hiking or discover the enormous marine beauty with a good snorkeling session. San Jose Island enchants beach lovers with a variety of golden, white and black sand.

For those seeking a connection with nature and to enjoy the landscape to the fullest, the best thing to do is to visit deserted islands such as Mogo Mog, Playa Caracol, Chapera, Bartolome and Boyarena Key. On these islands, the white of the sand, the turquoise of the water and the green of the forests are the only things that paint the landscape. Underwater, there is a whole world of colors full of life and on the beaches the trees give shade and shelter to birds, monkeys, reptiles and other biodiversity of the region.

Aerial view of Man paragliding over Contadora island, beautiful blue sky and crystal waters on the view

What to Do

In the Las Perlas Archipelago the adventure does not stop, organize your vacation so that you can enjoy it to the fullest. Find out everything you can do when visiting us and book in advance with a tour operator or with the locals from the islands.

For those who want to become intimate with our immense biodiversity, we recommend visiting us with your eyes open, always looking after our environment. Discover the amazing marine life on the pristine reefs with an afternoon of snorkeling.

Visit us from July to October to coincide with the whale migration. At this time, on your way to the islands or making short trips between them, you'll be able to see the humpbacks that visit us to reproduce and take care of their young in their first months of life.

Don't miss the special spots for bird watching enthusiasts. Witness the spectacle of Pacheca Island, where hundreds of birds will fly over the boat commanded by an expert local guide for this experience.

If you're an action-seeking adventurer, visit the beaches with fewer waves for paddleboarding and kayaking, or go where the wind doesn't stop to enjoy surfing, windsurfing, or an afternoon of sailing. In addition, sail between the islands with a sport fishing tour, catch wahoo, mahi mahi, and sailfish, among many more, and of course, look for the pearls, which give this paradise its name.

Boat floats in blue waters of Contadora Island. Sunny day, tree on the foreground.

Getting There

To get to Las Perlas you have two options: take a ferry from the Amador Causeway, in Panama City, for approximately two hours, which leaves every day and costs a little more than $100 round trip.

The second option, faster and in style, is to hire a private plane, which will take you from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in Panama City, Panamá, to the small runway of Contadora Island airport in just an hour.

Loggerhead sea turtle swimming on Coiba sea

Explore the immense range of marine biodiversity which makes us a very important hotspot for the entire world. Here, you can dive and snorkel in both oceans, witness the migration of whales and the nesting season of sea turtles. Surprise yourself with these 5 plans to observe marine life. What