Things to see and do in Taboga Island?

Located in the Gulf of Panama, Taboga is a small island just 20 km from the capital, perfect for a day trip. It is also known as the Island of Flowers because of the dense vegetation that covers it all. This island of volcanic origin is the ideal place to relax lying on a white sand beach, take long walks and eat in the town of San Pedro. Taboga Island in Panama has a lot to offer as we will tell you below.

In this post we have made a list of the main points of interest of the island among which we include the best beaches, hiking trails and activities to do. We also tell you the best way to get to the island, how to get around and other tips that will make your trip easier. The gastronomy of Panama is wonderful, so we have also prepared a section where we give you some suggestions of the best restaurants on the island, and another with the best hotels. Keep reading and we will tell you everything you need to know before going to the Taboga Island.

What are the best places to visit on the Taboga Island?

1. Cerro del Vigia, a magical place

In Taboga there are several hiking routes that pass through the lush vegetation of the island. Each one of them hides a legend or has been the scene of some historical event. Cerro Vigia, for example, is a lookout point built by the Americans during World War II to watch the coasts and the arrival of ships. Today there is an excursion that takes you to the top, the highest point of the island and from where you will get the best views of the sea, the coast, and even the Panama City.

To do this tour is recommended to hire a guide, not only to show you the way but also to tell you the history of the place, which is fascinating.

2. The best beaches on the island of Taboga

The island of Taboga has incredible white sand beaches surrounded by vegetation and bathed by turquoise waters. It is the perfect place to relax and sunbathe. These are some of the best beaches on the island:

• La Restinga: is in the north of the island and is famous because when the tide goes out, the beach joins the Peñon del Morro. It is a very touristy beach so there are beach bars where you can eat and drink and you can rent umbrellas. The only problem is that it is usually quite crowded.
• Playa Honda: is a much quieter beach than the previous one. It is closer to the village and also has a playground. It is perfect to go with children.
• Pierra Llama Beach: is a small cove that you can only reach by boat. There are many like this on the island and they are the authentic havens of peace.

3. Cerro de la Cruz

This is another nice hiking route with breathtaking views. The trail is not as hard as the previous one, in fact, it is a walk of just 2km that you can cover in 1h and a half at most.

The most curious thing about this walk is the history it hides. They say that for many years the spirits of three criminals tormented the citizens of the island, so the village priest decided to nail three crosses on the hill to stop it.

4. San Pedro, the town on the Taboga Island Panama

San Pedro is a magical place. There is no specific tour with monuments for tourists, but we recommend to walk among its streets full of colorful houses, beautiful courtyards with flowers and terraces overlooking the sea. The village does not allow the circulation of cars, which provides a relaxed and ideal environment to disconnect.

Many of the buildings are of colonial origin, such as the church of San Pedro. It dates back from the 17th century and was declared a historical monument for its cultural legacy.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Taboga Island

1. Flamingo Island and Amador Causeway

This small island is part of the Amador Causeway, a road that connects the peninsula with the islands Nao, Perico and Flamenco Island. It was built with the material extracted during the excavations of the Panama Canal. A curious fact about the island is that it belonged to the Americans until the 1970’s.

The island doesn’t have much to offer beyond the Flamenco Marina and its fleet of luxury yachts and cruise ships that connect to the island of Taboga Panama, which takes half an hour to reach.

2. Panama City

As we have already mentioned, the island of Taboga does not have much to see, so it is usually recommended to visit the surrounding area on the same trip. Panama City is not one of the most beautiful destinations in the country, but it has a certain charm. The capital of Panama is one of the most striking cities in the country for its great contrasts between modern buildings and skyscrapers versus more humble neighborhoods. It is usually recommended not to go there because it might be dangerous. Tourists usually stay there between two and three days to make excursions in the surroundings as the city is seen relatively quickly.

In Panama City you can’t miss the colonial center, the Metropolitan Natural Park, the seafood market and the Calzada de Amador. It is recommended to move only in the tourist areas and avoid going out at night.

What to see in 1 day on the Taboga Island

Taboga Island in Panama is a perfect destination for a day trip. There is not much to do on the island beyond strolling, sunbathing on the beach and enjoying the local cuisine. Therefore, one day is more than enough. If you want to make the most of it, we recommend spending the night on the island or taking the first ferry from Panama City.

Where and what to eat on the Taboga Island?

In San Pedro and on the beach you will find a wide gastronomic offer where the Panamanian style fish and seafood dishes stand out. On the island you will also find restaurants with international hamburger menus and dishes more adapted to Western tastes. For lovers of good food, we have prepared this list of some of our favorite restaurants:

• Calaloo Beach Fishbar: This is one of the most emblematic establishments in the city. It is a very small and charming restaurant at the seaside that prepares homemade and simple Panamanian food of the best quality. You can eat very well for less than 20€.
• Saboroso Panama: is a restaurant specializing in Latin American cuisine. The menu is varied and the food is delicious. The price of the meal per person ranges between 10€ and 30€.
• Mundi’s restaurant: It is a simple restaurant, where locals eat for the quality of its cuisine. The food is delicious and you eat well for less than 20€.

Where to stay on Taboga Island

On Taboga Island finding accommodation is not easy as there are only a few hotels. Demand is high and as a result they fill up fast. Therefore, we recommend booking well in advance. Another option is to stay in Panama or another part of the country and take a day trip. In this post you can see more accommodations in the country: The best hotels and accommodations in Panama

And here we leave you this list with some options to stay in Taboga Island Panama.

• Taboga Palace SPA Hotel: is located in San Pedro and is a wonderful 4-star hotel with all services. It has spa, solarium, terrace, bar and a pool overlooking the sea. The night costs 145€.
• Villa Caprichosa: this accommodation is known for its charming and cozy design, which invites you to stay and live there. The villa offers suits with sea views and has a bar, terrace and a swimming pool. The price per night is 250€ and includes breakfast.
• Apartments: On the same island you can rent apartments on the beach. It is a very comfortable option since you will have a kitchen and a living room, perfect for saving some money and traveling with family. Prices vary a lot, but they are usually cheaper than hotels.

How to get to the Taboga Island

Taboga Island is located in the Gulf of Panama, just 20 kilometers from the capital, Panama City. That’s why it’s a fairly common destination for a day trip that is very well connected.

If you are traveling from Europe you will have to fly to the capital’s Tocumen International Airport, and from there, you have all these options to get to the island of Taboga Panama:

• Ferry from Panama City: ferries depart daily from the Amador Causeway, taking 30 minutes to reach the island. The price is 20 dollars per person. It is the most comfortable option.
• Ferry from Flamenco Island: the Flamenco Island can be reached by bus from the central station (Albrook) for 2€ and from there the ferry costs 12€ and takes 30 minutes. It is a good option if you also want to see the Flamenco Island.
• Organized excursion: is the easiest option, but also the most expensive. You won’t have to worry about anything as the agency will provide you with the most comfortable means of transportation.

Once there you will be able to get around on foot as the island is very small.

What should I keep in mind before traveling to Taboga Island Panama?

• No visa is required to enter Panama, but a passport valid for at least 6 months is required.
• The country is not the safest, so it is recommended to avoid going out at night and be aware of your belongings.
• The official language in Panama is Spanish, although there are more than 19 languages.
• It is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, triple viral, tetanus-diphtheria, typhoid fever, but they are not mandatory if traveling from Spain.
• In Panama there are two current currencies, the dollar and the balboas.
• It is best to change money before starting your trip, there are stores and restaurants that do not accept credit cards.
• The weather is warm year-round, but between May and December is the rainy season.
• Tap water is potable in most of the country.
• Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Taboga Island

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• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers the things to do and see in Taboga Island Panama.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Taboga Island Panama