Pearl Islands Day Trips from Panama City
Two island days by ferry from the Amador Causeway, from $190 per adult
What are the Pearl Islands day trips from Panama City?
The Pearl Islands are an archipelago in the Gulf of Panama, reached by ferry from the Flamenco marina on the Amador Causeway. We run two day trips there: Contadora, a beach day at Playa Cacique with lunch and 2 drinks for $215 per adult, and Isla Bolaños, a day at Sonny Island and the better of the two for snorkeling, with lunch and unlimited soda and water, for $190 per adult. Both ferries leave around 7:30 AM.
An island day without the mountain road
The Pearl Islands sit in the Gulf of Panama, on the Pacific side of the country. Unlike San Blas, there is no 4x4 drive over the mountains: you check in at Marina de Flamenco on the Amador Causeway by 7:00 AM and the ferry takes you to the islands. Choose a beach day on Contadora or a day with the better snorkeling on Isla Bolaños.
Two Ways to Spend a Day in the Pearl Islands
Beach Day
Contadora Island Day Trip
Round-trip ferry, Playa Cacique beach at the Hotel Mar y Oro, lunch, 2 drinks, beach chairs and umbrellas. Back in Panama City around 5:00 PM.
Isla Bolaños Day Trip
A day at Sonny Island, the resort on Isla Bolaños south of Contadora, and the better of our two islands for snorkeling, with a natural pool and a cave. Lunch, unlimited soda and water, beach chairs and umbrellas included.
Contadora or Bolaños?
Contadora
- Round-trip ferry, about 1.5 hours each way
- Lunch: chicken, fish or pasta, with a side
- 2 drinks included
- Beach chairs, umbrellas, changing rooms and showers
- Golf cart rental on the island, about $40 to $50 a day
- Snorkel gear not included: bring your own
Isla Bolaños
- Shared ferry at 7:30 AM, on the island around 9:30 AM
- Ferry back boards around 3:00 PM, via Contadora
- Lunch: fish, chicken or meat, with salad and fruit
- Unlimited soda and water
- Beach chairs, umbrellas, bathrooms and changing rooms
- Snorkel gear and paddle boards for rent
- A natural pool behind the main beach, and a cave
- Passport or Panamanian cédula required
Getting to the Ferry
Ferry from Marina de Flamenco
Check in by 7:00 AM at the latest in the Duty Free area of Marina de Flamenco; staff are there from 6:30 AM. The ferry leaves around 7:30 AM.
Private transfer
A private car for your group of up to 4 people.
Need a ride to the marina in the morning? Ask us about a private transfer.
Good to Know
Non-refundable. You can change the date up to 1 day before the trip. If the ferry does not sail because of bad weather or another reason beyond our control, we move your trip to a new date; there is no refund.
In full when you book. You can pay by card through a secure payment link (7% surcharge) or by bank transfer to Banco General (USD 37.45 per international wire; no fee for local transfers within Panama).
Contadora: passports are not checked on the ferry, but bring a copy. Isla Bolaños: your passport (or Panamanian cédula) is required.
No minimum. You can book for 1 person or for a large group.
Snorkel gear is not included on either trip. Bring your own, or rent gear on Isla Bolaños, the better of the two for snorkeling.
Book Isla Bolaños at least 7 business days ahead. Tell us your date and we confirm it.
Photos of Contadora: dronepicr (aerial, island; CC BY 2.0) and Katarzyna Sierocińska (beach; Free Art License), via Wikimedia Commons.
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