| Come Visit Coiba National Park / World Heritage Site!!! |
COIBA NATIONAL PARK / WORLD HERITAGE SITE!! : Coiba National Park is one of the largest marine parks in the world and is composed of more than 2,701 kilometers square, including the island of Coiba and 38 smaller ones. Located off the southern coast of the province of Veraguas, Coiba lies in Santa Catalina's back yard. Coiba separated from continental Panama about 12,000 to 18,000 years ago, isolating many endemic species. Of the 147 species of birds found on Coiba, one species (the spine tail) and 20 subspecies are endemic. The agouti of Coiba Island, a subspecies of the howler monkey (Alouatta palliata coibensis), a subspecies of possums (Didelphis marsupials battyl), and a subspecies of white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus rotchildl), are species found no where else in the world. It is estimated that about 1,450 species of plants on the island, of which only 758 have been identified, that amongst the ones unidentified could lead to cures for diseases like AIDS, cancer, and diabetes. CNP contains the second largest coral reef in the Central-Eastern Pacific Ocean. Its marine fauna includes 23 species of whales and dolphins, including humpback, killer, and sperm whales, which habitat its waters year round (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)!!
The government operated park offers simple over night accommodations with mess hall type kitchen/eating area for visitors. Each group visiting is responsible for bringing their own food, cook, and propane gas cylinder (let your guide know what you want to eat and what you cannot eat ahead of time). The park kitchen is equipped with basic kitchen ware. The boat ride out to the park station from Sta. Catalina (25 miles) takes aprox 1hr 30min and sometimes takes up to two full hours depending on weather conditions. Leaving Santa Catalina things start to get even more remote. The lush islands along the way add to the fascinating surroundings. Our boat rides out often encounter hump back whales, dolphins, turtles, and a plethora of shore birds.
Do not leave Sta. Catalina without at least a day trip to Coiba.
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| White Faced Monkey- ANAM Station |
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| Humpback Whales |
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| 'Tito'- Salt Water Crocodile-ANAM Station |
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| Isla Granito de Oro |
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Santa Catalina Beach is the gateway to this natural wonder. Casa Kenia's specialty is to make this wonder available to small groups from 2 to 6 people.
The following tours are personalized adventures and trips of a lifetime. You will be with a experienced professional field guide (see 'who we are' from main page). Prices are all inclusive. Includes : lodging Casa Kenia (B&B included), park entry, lodging, and anchor fees ($20 entry fee per person non-resident good for eight days/ $20 per night lodging per person/ $15 per day anchor fee), all meals - food is prepared and cooked (we use a very good cook/park ranger on the island who is paid a nice gratuity) by Casa Kenia...fresh, healthy and tasty (if not gourmet)...transported in quality coolers w/plenty of ice (dinners in Sta. Catalina not included), boat/fuel transportation, car parking and gear storage at Casa Kenia while at park. Please contact us with any questions, diet concerns, and for making your reservations.
3 Day Sta. Catalina-Coiba National Park Eco Tour:
Spend a full day at CNP accompanied by experienced bi-lingual English/Spanish Coiba field guide Javier Elizondo.
Day 1 You and your party will arrive in Sta. Catalina in the afternoon. Check in to your laid- back lodging at Casa Kenia and meet your Coiba Tour Guide; trip logistics. Relax and have dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Day 2 Bed&Breakfast at Casa Kenia (yogurt, fruit, granola, juice, coffee/tea). Board boat down at beach/river 7:30am. Arrive park headquarters/ ANAM station at aprox. 9am (Humpback Whale sightings common during july-sept). Check /sign in, park fees (guide will take care of this), brief visit at visitors museum. 10am head to the small island of 'Granito de Oro' (15min. boat ride). Here the setting is truly unique. The small island is surrounded by some of the most diverse coral reefs in the park. You will snorkel (w/guide) in clear waters full of reef fish of all sorts. Hawksbill Turtles (which are critically endangered on a global level) are also frequent sightings both below and above the surface. After a healthy/fresh lunch on the beach it will be up to you as to whether you go for another snorkel or head to the nearby trail head 'Sendero de Los Monos' for a relatively easy hike through mature secondary rain-forest. Departure back to Sta. Catalina between 2-3pm...arriving back in town between 3:30-4:30pm. Time to shower, relax, etc.
Day 3 B&B at Casa Kenia. Depart to next destination (check out 2pm).
PRICES:
2 people = $265.00 per person
3 people = $210.00 per person
4 people = $170.00 per person
5 people = $135.00 per person
6 people = $125.00 per person
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| Stopping for a quick picture on the way out |
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| It was this big!! Snorkeling Isla Granito de Oro |
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| Virgin rainforest meets intact coral reef-lets go! |
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4 Day Coiba National Park Eco Tour: two days Casa Kenia, Sta. Catalina Beach and two days on CNP.
Day 1 Arrive Sta. Catalina Beach. Check in Casa Kenia (comp. fresh juice and seasonal fruit). Meet Javier, your eco-tour guide. Dinner at a local restaurant (see eating out above).
Day 2 Breakfast in bed Casa Kenia. 7:30am board 25' boat (equipped with vhf marine radio, life vests, all safety equipment) and depart to Park Station/ANAM (aprox, 1hr 30min). Check in at Park headquarters/ rooms for the night/ observation points. Boat ride (15 min.) to Isla Granito De Oro for guided snorkel around one of the parks most diverse reefs! Lunch and relaxation on the beach of Isla Granito De Oro. Boat (5 min.) to trail head 'sendero de los monos' (aka monkey trail) on Coiba Island. Hike trail w/guide (apox. 1hr 20min w/observation) Return to Station. 7pm dinner at station.
Day 3 Breakfast (6:30am) at station. Pack boat/check out and head towards historical penal colony. Stop at Punta Esquina for possible Scarlet Macaw sightings around this expansive almond grove (guide will have The Birds Of Panamá Field Guide on hand). Tour of penal colony optional. Snacks. Boat 35 min. to Isla Canales de Afuera. Enjoy another guided snorkel. Lunch on spectacular beach w/ rainforest backdrop. Boat back to Sta. Catalina (aprox. one hour) arriving aprox. 3-4pm. Relaxation Casa Kenia. Your choice for dinner (see eating out above).
Day 4 Breakfast in bed Casa Kenia. Depart to next destination (check out 2pm).
2 people = $425.00 per person
3 people = $345.00 per person
4 people = $250.00 per person
5 people = $215.00 per person
6 people = $200.00 per person
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| Hawksbill Turtle - Snorkeling Isla Granito de Oro |
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| Scarlet Macaw - near former penal colony |
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5 Day Coiba National Park Eco Adventure : two days Casa Kenia, Sta. Catalina Beach and three days on CNP.
Day 1 Arrive Sta. Catalina Beach. Check in Casa Kenia (comp. fresh juice and seasonal fruit). Meet Javier, your eco-tour guide. Trip logistics. Dinner at a local restaurant (see eating out above).
Day 2 Breakfast in bed Casa Kenia. Board 25' boat (equipped with vhf marine radio, life vests, all required safety equipment) and depart to Park Station/ANAM (aprox, 1hr 30min) Check in at Park Headquarters/ rooms for the night/ observation points. Boat (15 min.) to Isla Granito De Oro for guided snorkel around one of the parks most diverse reefs! Lunch and relaxation on the beach at Isla Granito De Oro. Boat (5 min.) to trail head 'sendero de los monos' (aka monkey trail) on Coiba Island. Hike trail w/guide (apox. 1hr 20min. w/observation. Return to Station. Free time/ visitors museum. 7pm Dinner at station.
Day 3 Breakfast (6:30am) at station. Boat (20min). to Punta Esquina in hopes to see the beautiful and endangered Scarlet Macaw. Often seen eating and frolicking about on this particular expansive almond grove. Boat (10 min.) around the point of Punta Esquina to historical penal colony. Tour old prison camp. More bird watching optional (guide will have on hand 'A Guide To The BIRDS OF PANAMA'). Return to park station for lunch. Aprox. 2pm boat 25-35min. to Ensenada de Santa Cruz on west side of Coiba Island. Explore two pristine rivers where flora and fauna abound. Boat back to station. 7pm dinner at station. Relaxation.
Day 4 7:00am breakfast at station. Pack boat and check out of station. Boat 30min. to Isla Canales De Afuera. Sight see and snorkel around these spectacular forested islands. Once out of Park boundaries and with the groups approval, we will do a little fishing/trolling. With any luck catch dinner! Stop at Isla Cimarrones. Lunch on beautiful beach. Boat 30min back to Santa Catalina. Relax at Casa Kenia. Your choice for dinner. See eating out above.
Day 5 Breakfast in bed at your leisure Casa Kenia (check out 2pm). Depart to next destination.
2 people = $600.00 per person
3 people = $450.00 per person
4 people = $365.00 per person
5 people = $310.00 per person
6 people = $275.00 per person
These are personalized adventures and trips of a lifetime. You will be with a experienced professional field guide (see 'who we are' from main page). Prices are all inclusive. Includes : lodging Casa Kenia (B&B included), park entry, lodging, and anchor fees ($20 entry fee per person non-resident good for eight days/ $20 per night lodging per person/ $15 per day anchor fee), all meals - food is prepared and cooked (we use a very good cook/park ranger on the island who is paid a nice gratuity) by Casa Kenia...fresh, healthy and tasty (if not gourmet)...transported in quality coolers w/plenty of ice (dinners in Sta. Catalina not included), boat/fuel transportation, car parking and gear storage at Casa Kenia while at park. Please contact us with any questions, diet concerns, and for making your reservations. Customized tours are also available upon request.
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| Green Iguana - on one of our many hikes |
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| Thanks for visiting! |
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| Whitetip Reef Shark - Snorkeling Isla Granito de Oro |
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