Coiba National Park, Panama
Coiba is one of the most unique parks of the park system of Panama in many ways. To begin with, Coiba is an island, and a very big one, amounting to the largest island on the Pacific coast of the Americas. This tropical island is well covered with a very pristine rainforest that has been very little disturbed by human activities. To make it even more special, the island harbors the second largest eastern Pacific coral reef and one of the finest for diving and snorkeling in the Pacific coast from Colombia to Mexico. About 80% of the park is a marine park, making it one of the most important links of a marine corridor that goes from the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador and to Cocos Island of Costa Rica.
However, this place has not always been seen as a fine place to visit, because in the past, before its days as a national park, Coiba was a devil’s island. Panama used to send the worst criminals of the country here, and it was perfect for that use because this is not only an island surrounded by water, but, as well, it is far from land and with many strong currents, making it a very difficult place to escape. Being a penal colony was one of the main reasons that kept the island ecosystem from being spoiled for many years… enough to realize how rich, beautiful, full of life and important it was to close the prison and protect the place as a national park. So today, Coiba enjoys a most suited humble purpose as a national park.
Today, we had the privilege of visiting this unique place and got to see some of the beauty it has. Right after our breakfast we were able to go snorkeling and kayaking on one the little islets of Coiba. Once done with our morning activities, we were ready for a meal, and what could be better than a delicious beach barbecue prepared by the National Geographic Sea Lion crew right at the main ranger station.
