Once a penal colony 14 miles (23 km) off the Pacific Coast, Coiba is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and glorious nature preserve with white-faced monkeys and scarlet macaws on land and teeming coral reefs off the beaches. Coiba National Park is really a collection of 38 islands and surrounding waters totaling 430,825 acres (nearly 18,000 ha). Unless you book a pricey fishing excursion, don't expect any frills. Small boats take an hour and 15 minutes to make the trip from Santa Catalina, a surfing village about five hours from Panama City. A handful of concrete cabanas can accommodate a few overnight visitors, who must supply their own food and drink. Beware of alligators and sharks.

coibanationalpark.com