Located in the Bocas del Toro Province, Panama Islands is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. Established in 1988, this is the country’s first national marine park. The total area covered under the park is over 13,226 hectares, 11,596 of which is the marine area.
The National Park provides shelter to over 28 species of amphibians and reptiles. Others include monkeys, crocodile, caiman, sloths, sea turtles, etc. The park offers numerous outdoor activities, which include diving, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, bocas surfing, beach hikes, kayaking, natural walk, etc. The Zapatillas Cays is considered the most popular place in the park and serves as a nesting site for sea turtles from April through September. The park serves as a home of the largest area of Caribbean mangrove, which includes both red and white mangroves.
The main motto behind designing the park was to protect and conserve marine and terrestrial habitats along with marine and terrestrial fauna. Since its creation the park, come under the direct control of Autoridad Nacional de Ambiente (ANAM).
Every year thousands of tourists visit the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park and explore the beauty of the region.
Image Source : Panoramio │Diego Saenz