Its crystalline waters have the most turquoise color among the beaches at Los Santos Province. Its sands are white as flour, and this is due to the debris left by the bio-erosion of fish, when feeding on dead corals. And its solid black rocks made out of basalt, stand out for their formation created by marine volcanic eruptions. This and more is Isla Iguana at Pedasi District.
Uninhabited Paradise
Declared a Wild Refuge in 1981, Isla Iguana has become an important destination in Pedasi, bringing both tourists and scientists. It has 16 hectares of coral reefs (12 species of coral), one of the largest in the Gulf of Panama.
Although it is an uninhabited island, tourism is allowed, as long as it is not invasive, by keeping it clean and not mistreating the local fauna and marine life.
Among the most abundant species are the more than 60 species of seabirds to spot such as frigates, pelicans, silly birds, and especially earwigs, with the largest colony in the Panamanian Pacific.
This island is called “Isla Iguana”, for its true protagonists: black iguanas with orange spots, which can be seen everywhere, even by the sea.
Activities Surrounded by Nature
Upon arrival at Playa Cirial, you first have to go the refuge’s visitor center to have a brief explanation about the island. From there, you have different routes such as the interpretive trail, the Coral trail, which goes from Cirial beach to El Faro beach, where you will find an old lighthouse. Along the path that leads to the back of the island, you can reach a large crater, created by a bomb test carried out by the United States Army before World War II.
Water activities such as swimming, snorkeling and diving are the most recommended. The best area is known as “Los Hongos” (the mushrooms), off the rocky coast. Among the most anticipated attractions is the whales migration season (July to october), in which you can see humpback whales and yubartas, coming from the north and south poles in search of tropical seas to mate, you can also watch nose bottle dolphins or turtles, seeking refuge to lay their eggs.
Very Close to Pedasi Town
You have to go to El Arenal beach to take a boat. Getting to the island can take 20 minutes during the rainy season, or 45 minutes because of high tides in the summer. The boat trip price is $ 60.00, the price varies according to the number of people who go in the boat. You can choose tours that include boat transfer, lunch, snacks.
Since Iguana Island is inhabited, you are only allowed to camp or settle in a cabin near the visitor’s center. The entrance to the island is worth $ 4.00 locals and $ 10.00 foreigners.
Touristic Infrastructure
Isla Iguana is uninhabited, but surrounding this natural paradise hoy can find one of the most important tourist poles in Panama: Pedasi. In this traditional town with a lot of history, the Visitor will find the hotels, restaurants and recreation centers that is looking for to relax and have a good time after a natural adventure, such as visiting Isla Iguana. The best mix to rediscover with new eyes the beauties of Panama.
