Panama Pearl: Isla Contadora in the Pearl Islands, Panama

Let me tell you about the island I hung out on with Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio…
Ok, maybe not with Alessandra, but almost! She was there for a Michael Kors show, and it was plastered all over the news during the time my husband and I visited beautiful Panama.

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|struckblog beach
I like an island where I can pick up mangoes and eat them on the beach.

So, completely spontaneously, we decided to book at hotel, hop a ferry boat (no, we didn’t get to tag along in Alessandra’s private helicopter) and spend a few days on same group of islands gorgeous models and Survivor contestants frequent: Isla Contadora in the Pearl Islands of Panama. Boy, did we have the adventure of a lifetime!

After 2 hours ocean-bound, we had arrived. But we didn’t exactly dock, since there was no dock. Instead, once we were close to the shore, we hopped into a small fishing boat with our over-sized luggage in tow (sorry, fashion bloggers don’t travel light), dragged them up the beach, and got into something I can only describe as a cross between an ATV and a golf cart to get to our hotel. We’re not talking all inclusives, tourist activities, and souvenirs galore here, we’re talking remote island!

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas
This is how you arrive (ferry boat to fishing boat). Notice those suitcase track marks, they don’t roll nearly as well on sand…

We stayed at the Pearla Real Inn on the island which was great, but I do warn you (and this goes for the island in general) you need to speak a little Spanish on Isla Contadora. We tried our best, and learned a lot. The locals were so friendly and patient with us. Poco a poco! The beach and the sunshine are loved by everyone regardless of what language you speak, and luckily, this tiny island (only 3 kilometers total) has 5 or 6 of them. Ya, you read that right beach lovers.

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|beaches in panama
Bikini by Victoria’s Secret (inspired by Alessandra I suppose)!

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas| panama beach island

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas
Coconut-football on the beach anyone?

The owners of our hotel had recently purchased a second property, and although the second hotel was not yet open, the restaurant and the beach were ready for a party. No shortage of Latin dance beats either! I have since learned that it’s called Reggaeton, and have also learned that it’s awesome and I love it!

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas
Pearla Real Inn’s second property should be up and ready for guests soon, but you can already enjoy the restaurant and a palapa!

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas

Getting around the island is mildly hilarious, since much like the rest of Panama signage and adressess aren’t high priority (it’s more like, turn right at the green house, then the big tree). That’s half the fun of the adventure though!

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas
Some of the only signage I spotted on the island, half the fun is in the wandering.

As for restaurants on Isla Contadora, there are only a handful of them, literally 4 or 5 that tourists frequent. I think hands-down Casa Tortuga was my favourite. Especially considering we ate there not once, but twice (also since I absolutely love Italian food).

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|restaurants on Isla Contadora Casa Tortuga
Casa Tortuga, was also right next door to our hotel.

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|casa tortuga isla contadora restaurant

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|casa tortuga restaurant
Piero, the owner will encourage you to leave your mark on his walls. I was happy to see my fellow Canadians were representing us well!
Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas| casa tortuga
Can you spot my addition?!

No bother with fancy receipts, fancy decor or fancy menus. Piero will let you know what he’s got cooking for dinner tonight, and it will be delicious. We enjoyed a spectacular pizza.

IMG_5783Panama isla contadora travelling to panama pearl islands visiting panama beaches casa tortuga restaurant archipelago

On day two of our wandering, we stumbled upon this abandoned hotel. Locals say the developer suddenly passed in a plane crash, so it has remained frozen in time. Sad story, what a shame! Anyone got some investment money laying around!? I’ll help!

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|abandoned hotel isla contadora
Sometimes dress, sometimes beach cover-up by Vero Moda.

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|abandoned hotel isla contadora panama

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas

We made it to Playa Executiva on day two, for a change of pace and quiet relaxation. We were some of the only people there, private beach anyone!?

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas
Sometimes, I crawl around on rocks just to get a good photo, yup!

We weren’t the only ones there though! I had a lot of fun (like a small child) and was highly amused by the amount of tiny hermit crabs that kept us company.

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|hermit crabs on beach

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas
Crab hunter: Lots of them to be found amongst the rocks.
Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas
This bikini is also by Victoria’s Secret.

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Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas|panama beach Struckblog
The best part about this picture is that I got totally destroyed by a wave 3 seconds later!

I think the best part about visiting Isla Contadora in Panama was in the adventure. It was so different from what I had ever experienced in my travels as most of the islands I’ve been to come stocked with high-rise hotels and tourist excursions. You won’t find any of that on Isla Contadora, it truly is off the beaten path. Definitely a trip I will never forget!

Panama isla contadora| travelling to panama |visiting the pearl islands |visiting panama beaches| travelling to archipelago de las perlas

Leave me a comment if there’s anything else you would like to know that I missed. Check out last two TravelSTRUCK blog posts about my trip to Panama as well: “Urban Rainforest: Parque Natural Metropolitano, Panama” to learn all about visiting a rainforest located in the middle of a metropolis. For the history buffs, head to “Ola! Historical Old City Casco Viejo Panama”.

Happy travels amigos!

Anna

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2 Comments

  1. JB HICKS
    October 4, 2022 / 4:54 pm

    SOOO IS THERE ANY PLACE FOR A PARTY? DANCING? GRABBING A FEW BEERS AT THE END OF THE DAY?
    I BOOKED AN APARTMENT ON PLAYA LARGA FOR A FEW DAYS (2 NIGHTS) WITH A GROUP OF GUYS READY FOR SOME BEACH AND PARTIES!

  2. August 17, 2015 / 9:31 am

    This looked like the most magical trip! I’m just in awe of how beautiful the place looked. I loved the Victoria secret bikini too! Your so pretty!

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