National park · Panama
Coiba National Marine ParkParque Nacional Marino Coiba
Visit Coiba for a day dive or a 2‑day camp: take the short walk to the old prison ruins (≈1 h) early in the dry season, or join a multi‑day snorkeling trek (≈4 h boat + 2 h hike) in December–April; entry requires registration at MiAMBIENTE.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
- Pacific West ↗Balboa (PAB) is 1:1 with the US dollar; US notes circulate, change comes in Panamanian coins.
- Pacific West ↗Drive on the right. Rental cars cannot be taken across the Costa Rican border.
- Pacific West ↗La Amistad International Park charges foreign visitors about $5 and closes at 16:00; verify current hours at the ranger station.
At a glance
- Country
- Panama
- Area
- 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
- Park covers roughly 500 km² (≈300 km² land, 200 km² sea); figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Coiba National Marine Park, the largest marine reserve in Central America, protects the remote island of Coiba and 37 surrounding islets, offering world‑class diving, historic penal‑colony ruins and endemic wildlife such as the Coiba howler, agouti and the last Panamanian scarlet macaws.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2005World Heritage Site for marine biodiversity.
Size and age
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 1995
Park covers roughly 500 km² (≈300 km² land, 200 km² sea); figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Dive among >800 marine species in a remote protected area.
- Explore the largest island in Central America with endemic wildlife.
- Visit historic penal‑colony ruins and pristine rainforest trails.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry, calm seas.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarDry, warm.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains, occasional storms.
- JunRainy, rough seas.
- JulHeavy rain, limited boat service.
- AugPeak rain, unsafe diving.
- SepTransition, variable weather.
- OctIncreasing rain.
- NovRainy, fewer tours.
- DecDry, start of tourist season.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coiba howler monkeyAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coiba agoutiAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Scarlet macaw (last Panama population)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Santa Catalina
Boat (≈1 h) from the dock; most tours depart from here.
1 h
From Boca Chica (Chiriquí)
Boat (≈2–3 h) depending on sea state.
2–3 h
From Panama City
Drive 5–6 h to Santa Catalina, then boat.
≈7 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Coiba Island campsite | Basic camp area with shared facilities; starting point for hikes and dives. | Open with permit. |
| Old prison ruins | Remnants of the former penal colony, reachable by a short trail. | Open; no guide required. |
| Rainforest interior | Dense forest trails, limited to guided walks. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; main island centre used.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry registration | US$30 | person | Paid at MiAMBIENTE office; includes basic campsite use. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated campsite; no unauthorized fires.
- Guides
- Required for rainforest hikes beyond the prison trail.
- Fishing & hunting
- Strictly prohibited.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without special permission.
- Trash
- All waste must be taken back to mainland.
Where to stay
In the park
Coiba campsite (park‑run)
Basic tents, shared latrines, meals included in tour packages.
Near the park
Santa Catalina
Hotels, hostels and bungalows; 30 min boat to Coiba.
Safety
Strong currents high
Heat and dehydration medium
Limited medical facilities medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Campsite area reachable by boat; short, flat trail to prison ruins suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use only park‑approved operators; avoid single‑use plastics; follow waste‑carry‑out policy.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Coiba National Marine Park?
Entry registration is $30 USD per person, paid at the MiAMBIENTE office or online before arrival.
What are the best hikes in Coiba National Marine Park?
The short walk to the old prison ruins (≈1 h) is easy and open; longer rainforest treks require a guide and take 2–4 h.
When is the best time to visit Coiba National Marine Park?
The dry season December to April offers calm seas and good visibility for diving and snorkeling.
Can I stay overnight on Coiba Island?
Yes, at the park‑run campsite with basic facilities; bookings are usually part of a tour package.
Do I need a guide for diving?
All dive activities must be done with a certified local operator; independent diving is not permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go