Country Article / Postcards
My Favorite (Undervalued) Tropical Hideout
Date: 10/21/2004
Here on Contadora, in Panama's Pearl Islands, you can sail, dive, fish...or soak up the sun in your own undisturbed piece of Eden.
Dear International Living Reader,
They come in helicopters and small private planes, seeking weekend refuge from the boards of banks, breweries, and airlines...from political office, film sets, and recording studios they come, hoping to steal a few hours relaxation on an island paradise described by Conde Nast as simply "blissful".
Crystal clear turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, secluded coves, bright red and yellow fishing boats, swaying palm and cashew trees, giant coral reefs, coconuts, mangoes, parrots, hummingbirds, pelicans, sea turtles, and bright tropical flowers.
The five coral fields around this island offer incredible snorkeling (or an enjoyable glass-bottomed boat ride) where fascinating marine life includes white tipped reef sharks and schools of tropical fish.
Here you can sail, dive, fish...or soak up the sun in your own undisturbed piece of Eden.
In the United States, the rich and famous go to places like Aspen, Colorado...or private resorts like the Hamptons on Long Island.
The rich and famous in Panama come here, to the island of Contadora.
I'm here primarily on business, to check in on the beachfront villa International Living has on Contadora...but I'm here for pleasure, too. I always make time to visit this island when I'm in Panama City.
This is a place where no one will bother you...where no one will find you if you don't want to be found. In the 17th century, pirates would plunder these seas for Spanish gold and use Contadora and the other Pearl Islands as a hideout, a place where they could lie low in peace and divide their loot.
Today the island is one of Panama's premier leisure destinations featuring world-class fishing, diving and snorkeling, a favored hidden beach retreat for the wealthy and famous--not only from Panama, but from all over the world. But you don't have to be rich to enjoy this little-known escape. Prices start at $147,500 for a one-bedroom villa--see http://www.contadoravillas.com for details.
Ronan McMahon
For International Living
P.S. You can walk from one end of the island to the other in an unhurried afternoon, taking in all 13 of Contadora's secluded beaches...including the only nudist beach in Panama. I won't spoil the surprise by telling you which one.
P.P.S. If, like me, you don't own a helicopter...or even a small plane...you can fly with Aeroperlas from Panama City ($30 and 14 minutes each way) to what locals grandly refer to as Contadora Airport. The domestic airport in P.C. is Albrook, a $3 taxi--or $10 "tourist taxi"--ride from downtown.
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