By Ben Brown
Photos by Luke Hansen
Now that we’re here, it’s time to explore. Spanning more than 400 acres with an enormous natural preserve, Isla Palenque contains many trails that take you through the island’s diverse features. And while we’ve only gone on our first hike, the paths have already put us closer to nature than we ever expected.
It’s a simple walk from camp to North Beach, a small sandy shore where boasts are set to dock in the expected marina. Go west and you will find a small break in the brush, where the path will lead you around the upper part of the island. We were lucky to have our guide, Daniel, who paved the way with his machete and blasted American R&B along the journey with his phone. Major style points right there.
The narrow path opens up to Isla Palenque’s western tip, where the trees clear to reveal a serene shoreline. Walking along the coast, we caught glimpses of iguanas scurrying where the rocks met the trees. Fiddler crabs roamed by the water, their asymmetric over sized claw making quite a spectacle. Stingrays fleeted under the surface and we even saw an Eagle flying over the treetops.
We moved onward, passing by the sandbar where Isla Palenque sometimes connects to Boca Brava, the neighboring island, during low tide. A short trail brought us to Playa Bajo, a long stretch of beach on the other side of the island’s narrow end. More beautiful shoreline for beach goers to bask in the tropical sun.
We cut up the end of the beach and ascended a small, steep hill. At the top, Daniel pointed to something in a bush next to us. He used his machete to uncover another kind of crab. As surprised as we were to see crabs this far inland, we were taken aback by its deep purple body and bright red-orange legs. I didn’t know crustaceans could wear war paint.
Back down the hill and we heard ocean again. Again, the trees seem to magically part for a pristine view of the water. As we approached the clearing, all I could think of was how similar this was to a Corona commercial. We had arrived back at Playa Palenque, where the path at the end takes you through the tall trees and back to camp.
So many simple parts with so much to see along the way. This trek can take you as little as 90 minutes or last for hours beyond that. Take the time to enjoy the scenery, but know that as big as this trail is, it barely scratches the surface of the island’s depth.
TAGS: Isla Palenque Island Intern Panama Panama Wildlife Wildlife
I hope you left that land crab alone. It’s your match! They can defend themselves quite well with those claws. After all, they use them to crack coconuts!