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Contadora & The Pearl Islands
Reaching the Pacific in 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa was immediately dazzled by the pearl ornaments of the coastal tribes.
Most of their pearls were gathered near the pearl islands, 70 miles offshore.
Spanish interests were eager to claim this bounty.
Isla Contadora
Within a few years, they were harvesting so many pearls that a contadora (counting house) was constructed to safeguard them all.
Today, this pearl Island is one of Panama’s most popular Pacific destinations.
This tiny island (0.75 square miles) is ringed by turquoise waters and 13 golden beaches.
San Jose & Isla del Rey
Beyond Contadora, the Pearl Islands group includes 102 other islands and more than 100 small cayes and islets.
San Jose Island, located to the southwest, is known for its wide beaches, excellent diving, and rain-forested interior.
Isla del Rey is the largest of the Pearl Islands.
Our Favorite Hotels
What to do in the Pearl Islands
Visitors to Contadora Island can enjoy sport fishing, diving, snorkeling and sea kayak tours.
What is the Weather Like?
The Pearl Islands enjoy tropical warmth year-round: daytime highs usually hover between 30–33 °C (86–91 °F), with nights cooling to around 22–24 °C (71–75 °F). The climate divides cleanly into dry and wet seasons.
From December through April, skies are clearer, rainfall light, and ocean breezes gentler—ideal for beach-time, snorkeling, and island-hopping.
From May through November, frequent afternoon showers and higher humidity drape the islands in lush green and dramatic skies—rewarding for those who embrace tropical rhythm and aren’t daunted by sudden rain.
Getting There
Isla del Ray serves as a base for sportfishing tours, with charters focusing on marlin, wahoo, amberjack, tuna, and sailfish.
The Pearl Islands can be reached by air from Panama City in 15-minutes, with airstrips on Contadora Island, Isla San Jose, and Isla del Rey.
Charter boats to The Pearl Islands can also be arranged in Panama City.
Start your journey today
LANDED delivers the finest in custom, private travel to Central America, South America, and Antarctica. These regions are our passion; we know them first-hand and by heart. Speak with one of our travel designers and let us create a tailored itinerary for you in The Pearl Islands.
How to combine The Pearl Islands
Have some extra time? Here are some options for you to combine with.
