PARADISE

CONTADORA

Shortly after lunch one day in Panama we dropped anchor off a gorgeous sandy beach at Contadora Island, in the northern part of the Pearl Island archipelago and were ferried ashore by skiff. On the Pacific side of the canal there is a 22-foot tide so berthing is difficult. One can literally see the water come in and go out with a tide so big. The Atlantic side of the canal has a tide of only 1 ½ feet.

My prescription face mask made it to another destination! How good would the snorkeling be? (not very)

It was a delight to swim in the warm, calm, clear water and fun to do a little beach combing along the beautiful deserted sandy beach. When we had had enough of the water several of us donned tee shirts over our suits and wandered up into ‘town’. My water shoes sure came in handy as we headed up the road from the beach.

During World War II the military built an air strip on Contadora which is still used today by small planes. We walked  to it while ashore. The bases were closed in 1955,  and the military turned everything over to Panama who eventually sold the island to private investment. In recent years Contadora has become a resort area and a get-away from the bustle of the city, but there weren’t any big resort hotels. The island has also become a popular retreat with Spanish and Canadian visitors.

The Shah of Iran stayed here during his exile. Jimmy Carter has been seen walking the deserted beaches. Because of city distractions, Costa Rica’s President Arias and the negotiators of the Panama Canal Treaty retreated here in 1977. During the trying times between Nicaragua and El Salvador the Contadora Group also retreated and convened here.

It is a delightful little island for a respite not far from the busy city.