Panama City Contadora Island Ferry

Panama City Guide

What is there to do in Panama City?

Regarded by some as the most cosmopolitan city in Central America, Panama City is a hub of vibrancy, presenting the feel of a bustling city whilst offering the chance to explore alluringly tropical landscapes. The city is vast in its contrasts; traffic jams and casinos are lined between laid back bars and cool clubs – in Panama the options for fun and adventure are endless. The canal is an obvious highlight, holding the key to Panama’s popularity. Whether it’s an excursion along the water or just a visit to admire the beautiful surrounding landscape, the gateway to exotic lands oftentimes proves too accessible to ignore. Aside from the canal, there is plenty to see around the city, particularly the stunning architecture around the city centre. The Palacio Bolivar and the Plaza Bolivar provide insight into the architectural history of the island, whilst Independence Square is the ideal place to while away a few hours amid beautiful buildings.

How do visitors get around Panama City?

Panama City is possible to be covered entirely by foot due to its small size and relatively close proximity of the major landmarks. Alternatively, there are taxis readily available throughout the town for cheap and convenient transport.

Contadora Island Guide

Contadora Island Ferry Port

Contadora Island is an isle found off the wide curving shores of Panama Bay to the south of the Panamanian mainland. It is one of the larger landmasses of the Pearl Island archipelago and is widely renowned for its pristine shoreline dotted with long stretches of palm-lined beaches. Once buzzing with traders selling pearls plucked from the shallows of the surrounding sea, the island is now a spectacular resort of luxury villas and apartments. It’s a particularly popular destination during the summer months when the surrounding waters of the Gulf of Panama glow almost electric blue beneath the warm sun. The port of Contadora Island is nothing more than a designated section of Galeon beach found around the edge of a small bay in the north. The passenger terminal is found at the head of the beach, just off the road that circles the island’s airstrip. The facilities here are limited to an undercover waiting area and a check-in booth from which passengers can board incoming ferries. Nowhere on the island is more than a five-minutes’ drive away meaning that travelling to and from the port is a straightforward affair. A taxi-service is available to take visitors from the port to the hotels found across the isle, though rented golf buggies are the preferred method of transport. A single passenger service currently operates from the port. A Ferry Las Perlas line sails the short distance north to the mainland capital of Panama City a few times throughout the week, a fast route that skims across the gulf.