Why Honeymoon in the Pearl Islands
Panama's Caribbean islands get more attention, but the Pearl Islands have a few advantages. They are close to the capital, so you can fly in for a city stay and be on a beach the next morning. They are also calmer and less developed than Bocas del Toro, with no party scene.
The beaches are the main event. On Contadora, Playa Larga is long and good for walking, while smaller coves such as Playa Cacique and Playa Galeón have calmer water for swimming. Nearby islands, some of them filming sites for several seasons of Survivor, have beaches you might share only with your boat driver.
Wildlife is the bonus. Whale season is a highlight, but dolphins, sea turtles and manta rays turn up year-round. For couples who like to snorkel, rocky points around the islands hold reef fish and the occasional white-tip reef shark.
When to Go
The dry season from mid-December through April brings sunshine, calm seas and the clearest water. It is the best time for beach days and for boat crossings, though the wind can pick up in February and March.
The rainy season runs from May through November. Showers usually come in the afternoon or overnight. Mornings are often bright. July through October is whale season, when humpbacks feed, mate and nurse calves in the Gulf of Panama. Many couples find that seeing whales is worth a few rainy afternoons. September is often the peak month for sightings.
October and November are usually the wettest months and the quietest for tourism. Some smaller businesses close or reduce hours. Panamanian holidays, including Carnival and Easter week, can fill hotels on Contadora, so book ahead if you plan to travel then.
Where to Stay
Contadora has the widest range of places to stay. Villa Romanica and Perla Real are two of the best known, both small and run with personal service. A handful of other guesthouses and vacation rentals rent rooms or whole houses, often with golf carts included, which suits couples who want privacy and a kitchen.
Other islands have more limited options. Saboga, a short boat ride from Contadora, has guesthouses and a village where many island workers live. Viveros, Isla San José and Pedro González have had lodges, vacation homes or private villas. These come and go, so check reviews and confirm that a property is open before you book.
Don't expect large luxury resorts. The appeal here is low-key: an open-air restaurant, a hammock and a beach a few steps away. Couples who want a full-service spa resort are better off in Panama's Gulf of Chiriquí or on the Caribbean side.
Romantic Things to Do
- Go whale watching between July and October. Boat tours leave from Contadora. Sightings are common in season.
- Hop between islands by small boat. Mogo Mogo, Chapera and Bolaños are popular stops for empty beaches and snorkeling.
- Snorkel off the rocky points near Playa Cacique or Playa Galeón on calm days, when visibility is best.
- Rent a golf cart and visit every beach on Contadora in an afternoon.
- Book a sportfishing trip. The waters around the islands hold mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, sailfish and marlin.
- Kayak or paddleboard along the coast in the early morning before the wind picks up.
- Ask your hotel to arrange a private dinner on the beach, with fresh fish grilled over coals.
Getting There and Around
Most couples start in Panama City, which has nonstop flights from many US cities into Tocumen International Airport (PTY). From there you have two options.
The ferry leaves from the Amador area of Panama City in the morning and reaches Contadora in about one and a half to two hours, with a return in the afternoon. Seas can be choppy in the windy months, so take seasickness tablets if you are prone. Book in advance and confirm departure times, which change by season.
Scheduled flights to Contadora (OTD) from Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (PAC) have operated in recent years and take well under an hour. Private charters by plane or boat are also available. On Contadora, most people walk or use golf carts. Boat taxis and tours connect Contadora with the other islands. Ask your hotel to set them up.
Food and Drink
Seafood is the obvious choice. Expect grilled corvina, red snapper, lobster in season, octopus and ceviche made with fish that came off a boat that morning. Many hotels serve dinner on terraces or right on the sand.
Contadora has a small selection of restaurants and a few grocery stores, but prices are higher than on the mainland because almost everything arrives by boat. Some couples bring snacks, wine or special items from Panama City.
On the smaller islands, meals are often part of the package at your lodge. Let your hosts know in advance about allergies or dietary needs, since options are limited. Panamanian staples such as patacones, rice with coconut and fried yuca appear on most menus. Wash it down with a cold Balboa or Atlas beer, or a rum and fresh fruit juice at sunset.
Honeymoon Tips
- Bring cash. ATMs on the islands are limited and card payments can fail when connections drop.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent. Sandflies can bite at dusk. Mosquitoes are more common in the rainy season. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Panama.
- Swim with care. Some beaches have strong currents on windy days. Ask locally before you swim off a quiet beach.
- Plan for slow internet. Wi-Fi exists but can be patchy.
- Leave a buffer day before your flight home. Ferry schedules and flights can change with weather.
- The US State Department rates Panama at Level 2, exercise increased caution. The islands are generally safe. The main risks are sun and sea conditions.
