DESTINATIONS PANAMA | SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL


ABOVE: Kayaking around the islets of Coiba National Park PICTURES: Atta/Daniel Santos; Shutterstock/jdross75


endangered birds such as the crested eagles and scarlet macaw. In the aquamarine, bathtub-warm waters, there’s close to two hectares of coral-rich reef where scientists frequently discover new species. Everywhere you turn, there’s life: playful pantropical spotted dolphins circle our boat and crocodile needlefish shoot spear-like above the waves. To really appreciate the national park, you need to go beneath the surface – literally – where visibility of up to 20 metres is the norm. On a two-hour snorkel around Canales de Afuera, a little slip of an island just a short boat ride from Isla Coiba, I spot a hawksbill turtle resting on the sea floor, while flurries of yellow and black striped Moorish idol fish slip past and king angelfish in tangerine orange and electric blue hues flit between groves of delicate, life-giving coral. Scuba divers can also fancy their odds for encountering whale sharks or one of the other 32 species known to frequent these waters. Coiba feels refreshingly underdeveloped, yet punching above its weight when it comes to wildlife. There’s a greater number of amphibian, bird and mammal species than neighbouring – but better marketed – Costa Rica. And, after two days of


travelweekly.co.uk Coiba


National Park feels refreshingly underdeveloped, yet punching above its weight when it comes to wildlife


kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving and feasting ourselves silly on sustainably sourced lobster and sea bass cooked by local fisherwomen turned chefs, we’ve had far closer encounters with white-faced capuchins, hawksbill turtles and flying fish than most other humans. This is one of Central America’s best-kept secrets; it’s hard to image it’ll remain this way for long. TW


BOOK IT


Journey Latin America offers a 10-day holiday to Panama, visiting Panama City, the Panama Canal (pictured), Boquete and Coiba Island National Park, from £3,145. The price includes international flights, transfers, excursions and mid-range accommodation on a B&B basis, with full-board in Coiba. journeylatinamerica.com


24 NOVEMBER 2022 61


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92