Stories from the edge of the Pacific

7 bucket-list wildlife encounters in one day at Coiba

Turtles, reef sharks, dolphins, rays, whales and scarlet macaws — a lifetime of wildlife in a single day.

9 min read · July 2026

Spanish guide

Snorkel en Coiba: precios, tours y cómo reservar

Our full Coiba guide in Spanish: cost, inclusions, wildlife and how to book direct with the local crew.

Spanish guide

Cómo llegar a Isla Coiba desde Ciudad de Panamá

Our getting-to-Coiba guide in Spanish: bus, car or door-to-door shuttle, with real prices and times.

Whale sharks in Panama: season & where to see them

The ocean's biggest fish visits Coiba every year. When the season peaks and what an encounter is like.

8 min read · July 2026

Trip planning

A Coiba day trip, hour by hour: what to expect

From the 8:00 am meeting point to the golden ride home — the full timeline of a day in the park.

8 min read · July 2026

News

Prisoners on Coiba again? What the 2026 transfer means for your visit

The verified facts behind the June 2026 headlines, the UNESCO debate, and why our tours continue unchanged.

Marine life

What you'll really see snorkeling in Coiba: unedited photos from our tours

A reef shark, an eagle ray, a rare surgeonfish and dolphins — four straight-from-the-GoPro moments from late June 2026.

6 min read · July 2026

Whale watching in Panama: where & when to see humpbacks

Panama is one of only two places on Earth with humpbacks from both hemispheres. Where they pass and the two seasons.

9 min read · July 2026

Getting around Panama: transport between provinces to Coiba

Flights, shuttles and buses to reach Santa Catalina — plus the door-to-door service we recommend.

Sunset over the Pacific coast of western Panama near Santa Catalina

Surfing in Santa Catalina, Panama

Central America's best-kept surf secret: a powerful point break, warm water and no crowds — plus what to do when the surf goes flat.

The Pacific coastline of Panama on the route to Santa Catalina

How to Get from Panama City to Santa Catalina

By bus, car or shuttle — travel times, costs and tips for reaching the gateway to Coiba National Park.

Two snorkelers swimming beside a wild sea turtle over the reef in Coiba, Panama

Swimming with Sea Turtles in Coiba

Drift beside wild green and hawksbill turtles in crystal water — where to find them, the best months, and how to book from Santa Catalina.

A white-tip reef shark on the sandy seabed in Coiba National Park, Panama

Swimming with Reef Sharks in Coiba

They sound terrifying — they're not. Meet Coiba's harmless white-tip reef sharks, one of the most thrilling and safe encounters in Panama.

A spotted eagle ray gliding over the sandy reef in Coiba National Park, Panama

Snorkeling with Eagle Rays in Coiba

Spotted eagle rays, mantas and stingrays glide across Coiba's reefs — where and when to see them while snorkeling, no scuba required.

Two wild dolphins swimming near the surface off Coiba, Panama

Snorkeling with Dolphins in Coiba

Wild bottlenose and spotted dolphins ride the bow on the crossing to Coiba — which dolphins live here, when you'll see them, and why wild beats captive.

A school of fish lit by sun rays just below the surface while snorkeling in Coiba, Panama

Snorkeling in Panama: The Best Places

From San Blas and Bocas del Toro to the world-class reefs of Coiba — the best places to snorkel in Panama, and why Coiba tops the list.

Aerial view of Panama City at dusk, with the skyline, old town and bay

City guide

Things to Do in Panama City

A complete 2026 guide to the canal, Casco Viejo, the waterfront and the modern city — and how to pair it with snorkeling in Coiba.

11 min readRead

Panama City skyline at night seen from the Cinta Costera waterfront park

Itinerary

Panama in 7 Days: The Perfect Itinerary

A day-by-day week combining the capital, the Pacific coast and snorkeling in Coiba National Park — with travel times and tips.

12 min readRead

Sunset over the Pacific from the forested hills of western Panama

Inspiration

The Best Sunsets in Panama

From Santa Catalina's Pacific horizon to Panama City's glowing skyline — the best places to catch golden hour, plus photo tips.

A scarlet macaw, one of Panama's iconic rainforest birds

Nature & wildlife

Wildlife & Eco-Tourism in Panama

From cloud-forest quetzals to whale sharks in the Pacific — why Panama is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, and where to see it.

Snorkeler in the clear turquoise water of Coiba, Panama

Beaches & coast

Best Beaches in Panama

Two coastlines, hundreds of beaches — Caribbean islands, Pacific surf, and where to find the clearest water for snorkeling.

Wild dolphins leaping beside the boat off Coiba, Panama

Things to Do in Panama: A Traveler's Guide

The canal, Caribbean islands, highland coffee country and Pacific surf — the best places to visit, and how a day in Coiba fits any itinerary.

10 min readRead

A snorkeler at the surface above a sea turtle in Coiba, Panama

Tips

Snorkeling vs. Scuba Diving: Which Should You Choose?

Cost, training, depth and what you'll actually see — an honest comparison to help you pick, and why Coiba is perfect for beginners.

Colourful reef fish in Coiba National Park, near Santa Catalina

Things to Do in Santa Catalina, Panama

The complete local guide to Panama's surf-and-snorkel village — what to do, when to go, and how to make the most of the gateway to Coiba.

A snorkeler enjoying calm water above a turtle in Coiba, Panama

Tips

Snorkeling in Coiba for Beginners

No experience and no swimming skills required. Life vests, in-water guides and warm, calm water — exactly what to expect on your first snorkel.

A scarlet macaw in the rainforest canopy of Coiba National Park, Panama

Birdwatching in Coiba: scarlet macaws & endemic birds

147+ species, 20 birds found nowhere else on Earth, and one of the last wild scarlet macaw populations in Central America.

Turquoise water and palms in Coiba National Park, Panama

Why Coiba Is One of the World's Best Snorkeling Spots

Healthy reefs, big animals, warm clear water and almost no crowds — here's what puts Coiba on the world's best-snorkeling lists.

A group of travelers on a Coiba day tour, Panama

Family-Friendly Coiba: Visiting with Kids

Warm calm water, life vests for all ages, dolphins and beaches — how to make a Coiba day trip easy and magical for the whole family.

Boat arriving to a pristine beach in Coiba National Park, Panama

Ultimate Guide to Visiting Coiba National Park

Everything in one place: how to get there, costs, what to bring, the best season and what makes Coiba a UNESCO World Heritage wonder.

Humpback whales seen on a Coiba whale watching tour, Panama

Whale Watching in Panama: Complete Guide

Humpback whales visit Coiba every year from July to October. When to go, what you'll see and how the whale watching tour works.

Turquoise water and islands of Coiba, Panama's Baby Galapagos

Coiba vs Galápagos: Which Should You Choose?

They call Coiba the 'Baby Galápagos' — same UNESCO status, similar wildlife, a fraction of the price. An honest comparison.

Snorkeling tour in Coiba National Park, Panama

How to get to Coiba from Panama City

Fly, drive or take the bus to Santa Catalina — every route, travel time and cost laid out so you can pick what fits your trip.

Sea turtle on a coral reef in Coiba Island, Panama

Seasons

The best time of year to visit Coiba

Whale sharks, manta rays or humpback whales? A month-by-month wildlife calendar to help you time the trip perfectly.

Coral reef snorkeling near Santa Catalina, Panama

What you'll see underwater in Coiba

Sea turtles, reef sharks, rays and 760 species of fish. Your field guide to the creatures of the "Baby Galápagos."

Tropical fish over the reef in Coiba National Park

Tips

What to pack for a day in Coiba

From reef-safe sunscreen to the documents you can't board without — the complete checklist for a smooth day on the water.

6 min readRead

Snorkeler exploring Coiba Island marine reserve

History

From prison island to paradise

The full story of Coiba's transformation — penal colony, "Los Desaparecidos," and the rebirth as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.