Isla Iguana
Isla Iguana
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
228 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
73
Average
15
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Camilo
46 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
Isla Iguana is a MUST to do in if you ever come to Panamá!!! Even though I’m really scared of iguanas, the beauty and calm of the beach was worth it all the time, forever and ever.
The experience navigating on boat to the island is really cool.
Try to come between Jul, Agu or Sept because of the whales sighting ;)
The experience navigating on boat to the island is really cool.
Try to come between Jul, Agu or Sept because of the whales sighting ;)
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wolfgang M
Roskilde, Denmark46 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Amazing island work lizards on the beach, fishers and turtles in the water, and fregat birds and eagles in the sky. Biggest treat : whale watching. We saw a mother with her baby. We spent a whole day on the island.
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric M
Kribi, Cameroon44 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
There is a tour company at the main crossroad in Pedasi... DO NOT take them! take a cab early in the morning go to the beach directly. they fill boat and charge 70 $ split even among all passenger. The tour company charge 75 + each!!! bring WATER,sun screen., fruits (snacks) Snorkel equipment. Basically everything as if you go the beach home. Be aware small jelly fish may be present, they sting leaving a small bump but they are small. On the island tons of little hermit crabs, black iguana and giant fregatas(birds) some red crabs too. shoes are a must to walk around the island. Cost 10 $/persons to the office. the money really goes to the park. they will give you receit and you sign log book. You can do camping there for the nigth for another 10 $ if youn have your gear. to return you can get a deal with another boat or the one you got there with.
Written 16 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PanamanianWanderlust
Panama City, Panama1,691 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Isla Iguana is a beautiful island with beautiful beaches. There are two beaches on the island, one is bigger and is where you will probably arrive. You arrive by a 15-20 mins boat from Punta Arenal, Pedasj. It's usually around $80 per boat (roundtrip), and it fits up to 6 people (sometimes 10). You can go directly to Punta Arenal in Pedasi and talk to the boat owners.
You have to bring everything you will consume, as it's a natural reserve.
As the name of the island implies, you will find many iguanas on the island (but they're not at the beach iself), also hermit crabs. There are only a few places with shade on the beach, so bring a big umbrella, sunblock or find a spot early in the beach.
If you go during the week you will find the island less crowded, perhaps for yourself. During holidays it's usually crowded. You can also camp, paying a small fee per person.
If you camp, you will be delighted by a wonderful sunset, millions of stars at night, wonderful sunrise, and have the beach for yourself. Beware of the small hermit crabs at night, just keep your stuff off the sand and they will be ok. There are toilet facilities (very basic).
From june to november you might see the humpback whales on your way to the island. There are also tours for this purpose which you can check on internet (prices and seasons).
You have to bring everything you will consume, as it's a natural reserve.
As the name of the island implies, you will find many iguanas on the island (but they're not at the beach iself), also hermit crabs. There are only a few places with shade on the beach, so bring a big umbrella, sunblock or find a spot early in the beach.
If you go during the week you will find the island less crowded, perhaps for yourself. During holidays it's usually crowded. You can also camp, paying a small fee per person.
If you camp, you will be delighted by a wonderful sunset, millions of stars at night, wonderful sunrise, and have the beach for yourself. Beware of the small hermit crabs at night, just keep your stuff off the sand and they will be ok. There are toilet facilities (very basic).
From june to november you might see the humpback whales on your way to the island. There are also tours for this purpose which you can check on internet (prices and seasons).
Written 11 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camille D
2 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
My sister, our father and I visited isla iguana as proposed and nicely organized by April, our great hotel hostess at Casa Lajagua in Pedasi. If you really want to go to Isla Iguana, we suggest you organize your trip directly with the captains on the beach though and bring your own meal. Coordinating it with the hotel will end up very expensive and having visited the island, i can assure you you don't
want to spend that much money on this.
We arrived at noon. The sea on the main beach was beautifully clear yet filled with thousands of little jellyfishes, making it impossible to swim (due to the a sudden decrease of the sea temperature). We went to the other beach (there are only 2), a tiny beach with frozen water, a profusion of dead corrals floating on it and no fishes in the sea. (You go there and you want to snorkel, right? An empty sea is what you get). Plus, the swimming area is very restraint due to strong currents. Because it was very hot, my sister and i went "swimming" several times despite the uninviting aspect of the sea. This caused a violent skin rash on our arms, trunk and face which appeared a few hours after swimming. Our father did not go into the sea and did not suffer the rash (and we all had the same sandwich to eat).
Last but not least, they make you pay a fee to "preserve" the island and nature. You'd pay happily were it a clean, nice island with a rich fauna and a lovely see to snorkel in.
Also- island iguana is infested with enormous black birds on the prey. It really feels uncomfortable to witness as you approach the shore with the boat.
Only highlight of the visit was the lovely encounter with our captain and his two kids, who took us to the island and back two hours later (trust me, it's more than enough).
We have travelled to many places and are always happy to take the adventure.
But Isla iguana is definitely not a place we would recommend.
want to spend that much money on this.
We arrived at noon. The sea on the main beach was beautifully clear yet filled with thousands of little jellyfishes, making it impossible to swim (due to the a sudden decrease of the sea temperature). We went to the other beach (there are only 2), a tiny beach with frozen water, a profusion of dead corrals floating on it and no fishes in the sea. (You go there and you want to snorkel, right? An empty sea is what you get). Plus, the swimming area is very restraint due to strong currents. Because it was very hot, my sister and i went "swimming" several times despite the uninviting aspect of the sea. This caused a violent skin rash on our arms, trunk and face which appeared a few hours after swimming. Our father did not go into the sea and did not suffer the rash (and we all had the same sandwich to eat).
Last but not least, they make you pay a fee to "preserve" the island and nature. You'd pay happily were it a clean, nice island with a rich fauna and a lovely see to snorkel in.
Also- island iguana is infested with enormous black birds on the prey. It really feels uncomfortable to witness as you approach the shore with the boat.
Only highlight of the visit was the lovely encounter with our captain and his two kids, who took us to the island and back two hours later (trust me, it's more than enough).
We have travelled to many places and are always happy to take the adventure.
But Isla iguana is definitely not a place we would recommend.
Written 4 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
day
Myrtle Beach, SC85 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
The island is fairly small, has 2 beaches (one bigger than the other), and not much else. The water is of course beautiful- very clear- but there are not a lot of fish and coral to see. I enjoyed snorkeling nonetheless and just the view of the light blue water. Great for nature-lovers and a cool little daytrip.
FOOD TIP: Bring your own lunch and water! There is nothing on the island and only small snacks and sodas to purchase around where you leave with the boats. And don't feed the iguanas. They will just annoy you further.
MONEY TIP: The boat takes 6 people and charges $70 a boat so you end up splitting the money with whoever you comes with you. Word to the wise: Wait a while so your boat gathers more people. There are plenty of boats willing to charge that money for anyone so sometimes they try to rush you out. You also have to pay $10/per person to the Island once you arrive.
FOOD TIP: Bring your own lunch and water! There is nothing on the island and only small snacks and sodas to purchase around where you leave with the boats. And don't feed the iguanas. They will just annoy you further.
MONEY TIP: The boat takes 6 people and charges $70 a boat so you end up splitting the money with whoever you comes with you. Word to the wise: Wait a while so your boat gathers more people. There are plenty of boats willing to charge that money for anyone so sometimes they try to rush you out. You also have to pay $10/per person to the Island once you arrive.
Written 8 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mark k
Green Valley, AZ180 contributions
Aug 2015
We did a day trip to the National Park out of Pedasi. There were several captains & boats anxious for our business so we got a far price. We circled the island in search of whales and were rewarded for our persistence. El capitan Luis got us close enough to easily see the whales and hear them exhale but he kept a respectable distance so as to not upset the baby & its parents.
Then we went ashore, walked the island, swam & snorkeled. This was the nicest beach I have encountered on the Pacific side in Panama.
Be aware that you must have your passport (or copy) to get on the boat. Also there is a $10 fee (reduced for residents) upon landing on the island.
Then we went ashore, walked the island, swam & snorkeled. This was the nicest beach I have encountered on the Pacific side in Panama.
Be aware that you must have your passport (or copy) to get on the boat. Also there is a $10 fee (reduced for residents) upon landing on the island.
Written 26 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin B
Roswell, NM48 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Isla Iguana is a good place to sit and swim but not to spend a full day there. The bathroom facilities are primitive so I wouldn't plan on more than a few hours. There is not enough room for strolling up and down the beach but the crabs and iguanas are interesting to look at. Not sure if the cost of the boat ride to get there is worth it since you can see crabs and iguanas all over Panama
Written 21 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mgm17
Fayetteville, AR24 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
The beauty of the Caribean with the tranquility of the Pacific! The Iguanas and Hermit Crabs are everywhere! Take bananas to feed the iguanas. Take snorkel equipment and food with as well. This is a great place to spend the day!
Written 1 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karypunx
Panama City, Panama28 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
A couple of friends and I decided to book a tour with Isla Cañas Tours to visit Isla Iguana. Our tour was set up for Sunday at 9:30am. Since we were staying in Las Tablas that weekend, we drove to Pedasí and arrived in 30 minutes. We met with our tour guide, Blanca, at a gas station and then drove to El Arenal, which is the beach from where you will depart. Parking is free at the location.
Once the captain had the boat ready to go, we started our adventure. Whale season in the area is from July to October; therefore, we didn't expect to see any (season just started). For our surprise, we were able to see 3 whales on our way to the island. It was a breathtaking experience. ❤️
The trip lasted for about 15-20 minutes. Once we arrived, we paid our entrance fee ($4.00 bucks for nationals) and set up our spot at the beach. The tour includes water, soda, ice, snacks, and lunch (once you're back to Pedasí); however, we also took a cooler full of goodies. Since we were gonna be in the island for about 5-6 hours, we packed water, beer, ice (lots), sandwiches, and snacks. There's snorkeling equipment available for $5.00 bucks.
Once it was time to go (around 3:00pm), we boarded our boat and headed back to land. We arrived at the port, and followed our guide to the restaurant, which is located in Pedasí.
Tips:
-Lots of sunblock and a hat is recommended. There's a ranch available where you can leave your stuff.
-The island is full of iguanas (now you know from where they got its name!). These animals will try to steal your food and they ARE NOT afraid of you. :) Don't leave your stuff close to the trees at the beach (they live there). There's also a huge amount of hermit crabs that will definitely try to steal your goodies.
-There's cellphone signal at the island. Bring charged speakers. There are no other activities at the island, so feel free to bring your own.
-If you decide to do some snorkeling, make sure to not step on corals, do not feed/touch the animals. There's no guide on the snorkeling activity so I recommend you ask for a lifesaver to avoid accidents.
-HAVE FUN!! 😊
Once the captain had the boat ready to go, we started our adventure. Whale season in the area is from July to October; therefore, we didn't expect to see any (season just started). For our surprise, we were able to see 3 whales on our way to the island. It was a breathtaking experience. ❤️
The trip lasted for about 15-20 minutes. Once we arrived, we paid our entrance fee ($4.00 bucks for nationals) and set up our spot at the beach. The tour includes water, soda, ice, snacks, and lunch (once you're back to Pedasí); however, we also took a cooler full of goodies. Since we were gonna be in the island for about 5-6 hours, we packed water, beer, ice (lots), sandwiches, and snacks. There's snorkeling equipment available for $5.00 bucks.
Once it was time to go (around 3:00pm), we boarded our boat and headed back to land. We arrived at the port, and followed our guide to the restaurant, which is located in Pedasí.
Tips:
-Lots of sunblock and a hat is recommended. There's a ranch available where you can leave your stuff.
-The island is full of iguanas (now you know from where they got its name!). These animals will try to steal your food and they ARE NOT afraid of you. :) Don't leave your stuff close to the trees at the beach (they live there). There's also a huge amount of hermit crabs that will definitely try to steal your goodies.
-There's cellphone signal at the island. Bring charged speakers. There are no other activities at the island, so feel free to bring your own.
-If you decide to do some snorkeling, make sure to not step on corals, do not feed/touch the animals. There's no guide on the snorkeling activity so I recommend you ask for a lifesaver to avoid accidents.
-HAVE FUN!! 😊
Written 13 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola Delemuria38 me puedes ayudar donde puedo tomar las lanchas que van a la isla? y si sabes el coste tambien te lo agradeceria! Saludos.
Written 29 January 2020
Que tal , estimado. Para ir a Isla Iguana debes tomar las lanchas en la playa de Pedasí,llamada el Arenal en la provincia de los santos. la tarifa por persona para panameños es de unos 5$, mientras que para los extranjeros es de 10$. Por otro lado, existen tours con mucha logística, comida, transporte en lancha ida y vuelta, pero son paquetes que superan los 60$ y tienen sentido si van varias personas.
Saludos.
Written 30 January 2020
Olá!
Alguém sabe informar se a ilha ainda continua aberta? Pois ouvi de uma agência recentemente que ela foi fechada.
Obrigada
Written 22 October 2018
ciao roberto sto organizzando un tour su panama, mi piacerebbe dormire 2 noti a isola iguana, mi puoi dare qualche indicazione su come prenotare?
grazie
luciano
Written 12 August 2018
He leído que las visitas a Isla Iguana se cancelaron hace unos meses. ¿ya se puede volver a visitar la isla?
Written 18 June 2018
Sí, se puede visitar la isla. Nosotros fuimos en bote desde Playa El Arenal en Pedasí.
Written 12 July 2018
MilagrosCB
Panama City, Panama
Hola, si quisiera un bote privado para celebrar una fiesta con destino aisla iguana cuanto me saldria?
Written 21 November 2017
è possibile il pernottamento sull'isola? l aeroporto più vicino? grazie
Written 14 November 2017
En Pedasí, donde puedo dejar mi carro si me quiero quedar acampando en la isla ?
Written 5 August 2017
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