I was recently back home (Panama) visiting family and friends.  The country has exploded in terms of tourism development and there is so much to see and do.  So even though I call Panama home, I can always find a new place to explore every time I visit!  This time around I decided to go to Isla Mamey in the province of Colon.

Isla Mamey is a small island that sits west of Isla Linton and the popular Isla Grande. The latter one I’ve been to multiple times, but its much more busier and crowded than any of the other islands nearby.

Once we arrived, we unloaded our belongings and set up on the beach. There is nothing on the island, so if you plan on going make sure to take a cooler with plenty of drinks, food and snacks. Sandwiches are probably the best option; unless you plan on camping on the island you can probably bring a small grill. Speaking of camping, while it is a small island, there is plenty of room for camping. Near the beach strip there is a huge field and I noticed several cement slabs in that area. It looked like they began to build something, but was unfinished. Regardless, there is plenty of room for picnicking and camping in that area.

The cement slabs weren’t the only things I noticed; to my surprise I saw a sign that said “Propiedad Privada” (Private Property). I had no idea the island was private property! The locals told me that the owner(s) allow people to visit the island, but that this could change at any time. So this may be a good time to visit before things change!

As far as I could tell there is only one beach, but then again I never went to the other side of the island. Anyhow, this strip is full of small seashells and some rocks, but you can walk the beach barefoot without any problem. The water is very clear, cool and beautiful, which is normal for this time of the year. If you go out a little deeper you’ll be able to snorkel and see plenty of marine life in the coral reef.

If you’re looking to get away and relax for the day while in Panama, Isla Mamey is a great place to visit. You can go on your own or book a day trip with a tourist company. If you are looking to do some back to basics camping then this would probably be a good fit, but if you’d like something that provides more convenience and comfort then I would recommend you checkout Isla Grande. From Isla Grande you can always have a boatman take to you to Isla Mamey for a few hours.

One thing to keep in mind, there are no garbage cans or dumpsters on the island so make sure to pick up all of your trash and take it back to Puerto Lindo.

Below is a quick video of my trip there. Hope you guys like it!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj3iJVZIYJQ&w=640&h=360]