Travel Guide Isla Grande

The "Big Island", 5 km long and 1 km wide, is so popular among Panamanians that it is simply called "the Island"(La Isla). A short distance from the coast, it is covered with thick vegetation and has a welcoming beach on the west side. In its southern part, a small village of about a thousand inhabitants lives from fishing and coconut farming. The beauty of the place, the crystal clear waters and the relative ease of access to the site have allowed the development of an essentially national tourism. During the week, many restaurants and small hotels are empty or closed. But on weekends or during Carnival, you will see hundreds of Panamanian tourists, families or groups of friends, with theircoolers full of beer and ice cubes, coming to enjoy the beach and party in the water. They will tell you about La Isla with their eyes shining. It is above all a hospitable and relaxed town. Surfing is available, but don't expect great beaches or breathtaking seabeds, and be aware that the village is often littered with trash, especially on Sunday nights! The main holidays celebrated, St. John's Day and the Virgin Carmen (July 16), give rise to spectacular processions on the island and at sea.