Isla Grande is Back
The opening of the new Ordovician Beach Resort takes Isla Grande’s offerings to another level. This could give visitors that extra push to return to this Panamanian Caribbean destination that has not been much in the news despite its myriad natural attractions.
By: Margarita de los Ríos
Photos: Javier A. Pinzón
Just minutes from Isla Grande lie the Natural Pools. Created by a mangrove island stream, the color and clarity of the water endow them with a singular beauty.
The environs of Isla Grande include areas for snorkeling, scuba diving, and dolphin spotting.
The 112-step climb to the top of El Faro, the old lighthouse, will reward you with the loveliest panorama of the landscape around Isla Grande.
The first excursion suggested by Einar Serracín, our guide on Isla Grande, is a visit to
Natural Pools. We came here to see the new hotel, , but since we agreed that a hotel really can’t exist in isolation from the destination
we boardeda boat headed straight for a cluster of mangrovea short distance from the island.
The Caribbean is calm and gleams azure under the morning sun.. We soon reach the mangrove island,annd the boat putts into a water chann el. Just by noising intothe stream, the indigo of the ocean pales to a perfect turquoise over a white sand bottom.. We dive right into this bit of paradise on earth for a swim in the pellucid waters, savoring the tranquility of an unspoiled destination that has not yet been overrun by mass tourism. The view from below is as amazing as the view from the drone we flew, convincing us that we are merely specks in a lost Eden.
The boatman picks up his route and continues to Isla Mamey, a sanctuary in the Panamanian Caribbean that was a well-keptfor years before being discovered by today’s adventure seekers. One of the area’s best snorkeling reefs fronts theisland, which also, offers acontrasting, wild side where rough wavesb eats on the the rocks, ..
A mangrove tour that begins in Mamey takes visitors to Puerto Lindo. Locals call this route “Tunnels of Love,” a romantic name for a corridor through which birds arrive by the thousands to seek shelter at dusk.
The return trip to Isla Grande skirts Isla Linton, where a beach is home to a lone giant monkey, left behind after the rescue of a colony that had inhabited the island for years.
The Ordovician
Our first sight of the hotel includes a view of eight enormous overwater suites that are equipped with every amenity, including glass panels in the floor to allow guests to view corals and marine life from their rooms. The rest of the rooms some Santorini style —back on to the hillside. All the rooms are thoughtfully decorated with locally produced handmade wood furniture; the paintings on the wall are likewise the work of a Portobelo artist.
On this island of few beaches, the hotel built its own beach around an enormous seawater pool . Whether. the Caribbean is choppy or placid here the water is calm enoughfor swimming, rowing, or standpaddle.
The hotel features exquisite cuisine under the direction of chef Stiven Hernández, whose creations reflect a Caribbean-Vietnamese fusion that explodes on the palate. He embraces the farm-to-table approach, using produce from a fully stocked garden in the highlands. Guests can also sip signature cocktails created by Aquilino Kantule, who describes his sophisticated blends while serving up generous pours.
This development was support by an investment from Rick and Loan Hill, a retired couple from the U.S. who decided to spend their golden years raising money for a foundation that will reinvest all profits in Colón’s Costa Arriba . They explain the foundation’s goal of building a school on a 62-acre lot that will also serve as a sports campus for training high-performance athletes.
The Island
Despite its name, Isla Grande (Big Island) measures just 12 square miles.. Nonetheless, this small piece of land harbors a treasure trove of natural resources, local traditions, and now, a world-class hotel.
With no highways or automobiles, this is an ideal spot for strolling under the sun and enjoying the pleasant vibes. A walk into town will take you past traditional restaurants serving Afro-Caribbean specialties marinated in coconut milk, places where seafood and pigeon peas are equally essential. The island’s growing international community has expanded the choices to include Italian and Spanish delicacies.
Some of the island’s iconic sights include La Punta Beach, the largest beach with the best sand, and the famed Cristo Negro (Black Christ) statue, symbolizing the deep Catholic faith prevalent in this region. An uphill trail leads to El Faro (The Lighthouse), constructed in the 19th century by the French who attempted to build the Panama Canal. A lovely panoramic view awaits at the top of the 112 steps.
There are many options for scuba diving and snorkeling, sport fishing, stand-up paddle and kayaking, among other activities. The waters near Hotel Sister Moon boast celebrated waves that attract surfers from around the world and have hosted international events.
How to get there
Boats to Isla Grande depart from La Guaira pier in Colón province’s Costa Arriba. It is a 15-minute boat ride from La Guaira to the island.
To reach La Guaira, take the Panamá-Colón highway to the Sabanitas turnoff and continue on the Costa Arriba highway for about 90 minutes. If you’re going to the Ordovician, pull up at Juan Gallego, where the hotel has its own pier, and will soon feature a beach club and restaurant.
Leave a Reply