Making the most of San Miguel Islas Perlas
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise vessels cannot berth here, so passengers therefore travel ashore by tender.
About 30 miles from Panama's Pacific coast, in the Gulf of Panama, lie the Pearl Islands: Spanish Archipiélago de las Perlas or Islas de las Perlas. This group comprises 100 or more islands, many of them tiny and uninhabited.
Isla del Rey, about 30 square miles, is the largest island. Its "Island of the King" name likely refers to religion rather than a secular king. Several towns, especially San Miguel, stand on Isla del Rey, which is larger than all other Pearl Islands combined and Panama's second largest island after Coiba.
Getting around
Panama has two bus types: highway buses and "city buses". Highway buses constantly run from Panama city terminals to different destinations along Pan American Highway and back to the terminals. They are frequent, collect or drop passengers at any point along their route, and most are air conditioned. The country's roughly linear shape suits this system so well that cars are not really needed to get around most areas.
Panama taxis are also a decent, very inexpensive way to travel.
Food and shopping
Artesian markets offer the cheapest traditional Panamanian crafts. In Panama City, Balboa market is best, with Panama Viejo market a close second. Panama’s best-known craft is the mola, intricate Kuna reverse-applique handwork, sold at either craft market and from Casco Viejo seawall vendors.
Money
Panama uses both Balboa and US Dollar. The balboa has exactly the same value as the US dollar, though in reality Balboas exist only as coins equivalent to US coins.
Staying connected
Spanish is official and English is spoken by 14%; many Panamanians are bilingual.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours vary, but most stores and shops trade Monday to Sunday 9:00 am to 6:00 p.m., with some open until 10:00 p.m.