When searching for private islands in far-flung locations, just getting there can be half the adventure. Discover the journey to Panama’s desirable island hotspots.

Few shopping excursions requiring the donning of a Tilley hat and a trek through steamy tropical jungles, but the search for the perfect private island is a quest like no other. And for many island hunters looking to strike a balance between the exotic and urban, Panama is the country of choice. Forming a narrow bridge between Central and South America, in Panama you’ll find lush, exceptionally biodiverse forests, stunning beaches, and an unusual variety of island regions to experience. Possessing both some of the world’s most ecologically pristine territory and the shimmering glass skyscrapers of Panama City, it’s no wonder that this small country has attracted more than 25,000 expats from the United States alone. Feeling right at home, American visitors won’t even need to convert their spending cash, as US dollars are the main form of currency.

International flights to Panama are available from many major US and European cities, and located just outside of Panama City, Tocumen Airport will be your first point of entry. Clean, bright and with an adjacent shopping mall, Tocumen is a deceptively modern first impression for island-hunters destined for more remote regions of the country. If making a stopover in the nation’s capital, a thriving metropolis of more than 700,000 inhabitants, the city’s sophistication may surprise even those well-travelled in other areas of Central America. The reason behind Panama City’s rare degree of development is the country’s uniquely advantageous location. The Panama Canal is arguably the world’s most important shipping pathway, and the country as a whole has benefited greatly from the communications and banking infrastructure required to keep the canal running smoothly.

Continuing on with the journey, from Panama City a variety of small flights and charter boat trips will take you to the country’s island hotspots. Primarily located in three regions, Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui and Las Perlas, there are a wide variety of choices available for prospective buyers. Located in the north near the Costa Rican border, Bocas del Toro is an hour’s flight from the capital, and has the advantage of warm Caribbean waters, perfect beaches and a long archipelago of stunning islands. Pictured on a recent trip to show an island in the chain, Chris Krolow, CEO of Private Islands Inc., says “I consider Bocas to be a well-kept little secret in the private island business. It’s off the beaten path, but an exceptionally beautiful, friendly area. And when freshly-caught lobster is served ala carte by your local boat captain, showing an island starts to seem more like an exotic dinner cruise.”

Also just an hour’s flight from Panama, the island region of Chiriqui is found on the opposing coast from Bocas del Toro. In contrast to the flat Caribbean-style islands on the Bocas side of northern Panama, Chiriqui’s Atlantic islas have an altogether more rugged feel. Covered in dense forests and with views of the epic mountains on the mainland, this region’s islands have a prehistoric quality that never fails to captivate visitors. It’s no wonder that environmental tourism forms a growing part of Chiriqui’s economy, with eco-friendly resort development now counted as a major reason for island purchase. And what better testament to the astonishing beauty of this state, then the fact that many visitors opt out of the quick hour-long flight, in favour of a 7-hour bus ride that traverses the mountainous roads from Panama City to Chiriqui’s capital of David.

The last island region on our quest lies just across from the growing skyline of Panama City, but could not feel more distant from the bustling industry of the capital. Approximately four hours via boat across the Gulf of Panama, or a brief $50 flight from Tocumen to the small airport on Isla Contadora, the Las Perlas archipelago is an otherworldly place with some of the country’s most picturesque islands. Little impacted by the development and tourism found in the country’s northern regions, the mysterious Pearl Islands have a true “castaway” quality. Plentiful orchid plants and passionfruit vines quickly spring to cover newly-constructed rooftops, creating the impression that nature is perpetually on the verge of reclaiming her territory. Ideal for the island buyer searching for something authentic and truly private, few of these desirable “pearls” become available on the market and tend to command substantial prices.

Panama is one of the rare island markets that cater to virtually every type of client, whether they’re seeking luxury or the life of a Robinson Crusoe, to experience reclusion in nature or to be warmly welcomed into a community of fellow expats. “It wouldn’t be a cliché to call Panama a land of contrasts,” says Chris Krolow. “One of the world’s most remote and foreboding mountain jungles, the Darien Gap, is literally a few hours from a metropolitan city where billions of dollars in financial transactions are conducted each year. The juxtaposition is nothing short of amazing.” And with such a variety of regions in which to shop for the perfect private island, it would be surprising if adventurous buyers didn’t experience all Panama has to offer before making their choice.

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