Taboga Island of Panama
Taboga Island in the Bay of Panama doesn't change much. I visited Taboga in December 2013 for the first time in almost 20 years, and most everything seemed very familiar. The resort where we used to hang out was torn down, but the tiny town was still charming and even cleaner than I remembered.
This visit to Taboga was from the 24-passenger catamaran the M/S Discovery, which was chartered by Grand Circle Cruise Line for the full transit of the Panama Canal that was part of an 11-day land and cruise tour of Panama.
Soon after boarding at the marina near the Amador Causeway, we motored across the Bay of Panama to Taboga, where we anchored and then boarded the small pangas to transfer to the island.
We did a walking tour of the town and learned about the fascinating history of the island, which was first visited by the Spanish explorer Balboa in 1513. The Spanish settled the island in 1524, and the San Pedro Church is the second oldest in the western hemisphere. The old bar where we had a beer or two was still there.
These photos were taken on our walking tour of Taboga.
Page 2 > > Sailboat Anchored off Taboga > >
Sailboat Anchored off Taboga
This photo shows some of the colorful residences in the tiny town on the island of Taboga. The island is a popular stopover for sailboats making their way between the Caribbean and the Pacific via the Panama Canal.
Page 3 > > Colorful Buildings on Taboga > >
Colorful Buildings on Taboga
Taboga had the cleanest streets of any place we visited in Panama. The homes may be small by North American standards, but residents take good care of their island and their property.
Page 4 > > An "Interesting" Sign? > >
Interesting Sign?
This sign will make those who speak Spanish smile. It says something like--do not urinate here or pay a fine. Our tour guide told us that island lore tells the story of Paul Gauguin, the French artist who lived on Taboga for a few months, urinating in that very spot and getting caught. Good story, but the sign doesn't look over 100 years old.
Page 5 > > Taboga Beach > >
Taboga Beach
The beach at Taboga is lovely, but is almost completely covered at high tide. That's the Discovery catamaran anchored in the harbor.
Page 6 > > San Pedro Church on Taboga > >
San Pedro Church on Taboga
Founded in the early 16th century, the San Pedro Church on the island of Taboga is reportedly the second oldest church in the western hemisphere. (The Catedral Santa Maria La Menor in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is the oldest church in the western hemisphere. It was founded in the late 15th century).
Page 7 > > Interior of San Pedro Church on Taboga > >
Interior of the San Pedro Church on Taboga
The interior of the San Pedro Church is worth a look when on a walking tour of Taboga.
Page 8 > > Taboga Island Town > >
This is a nice photo of the small town on the island of Taboga.
Page 9 > > Sailboat in the Taboga Harbor > >
Many sailboats anchor in the harbor off the island of Taboga. From their small boats, they get great views of all the ships waiting to enter the Panama Canal.
Taboga Island in the Bay of Panama doesn't change much. I visited Taboga in December 2013 for the first time in almost 20 years, and most everything seemed very familiar. The resort where we used to hang out was torn down, but the tiny town was still charming and even cleaner than I remembered.
This visit to Taboga was from the 24-passenger catamaran the M/S Discovery, which was chartered by Grand Circle Cruise Line for the full transit of the Panama Canal that was part of an 11-day land and cruise tour of Panama.
Soon after boarding at the marina near the Amador Causeway, we motored across the Bay of Panama to Taboga, where we anchored and then boarded the small pangas to transfer to the island.
We did a walking tour of the town and learned about the fascinating history of the island, which was first visited by the Spanish explorer Balboa in 1513. The Spanish settled the island in 1524, and the San Pedro Church is the second oldest in the western hemisphere. The old bar where we had a beer or two was still there.
These photos were taken on our walking tour of Taboga.
Page 2 > > Sailboat Anchored off Taboga > >
Sailboat Anchored off Taboga
This photo shows some of the colorful residences in the tiny town on the island of Taboga. The island is a popular stopover for sailboats making their way between the Caribbean and the Pacific via the Panama Canal.
Page 3 > > Colorful Buildings on Taboga > >
Colorful Buildings on Taboga
Taboga had the cleanest streets of any place we visited in Panama. The homes may be small by North American standards, but residents take good care of their island and their property.
Page 4 > > An "Interesting" Sign? > >
Interesting Sign?
This sign will make those who speak Spanish smile. It says something like--do not urinate here or pay a fine. Our tour guide told us that island lore tells the story of Paul Gauguin, the French artist who lived on Taboga for a few months, urinating in that very spot and getting caught. Good story, but the sign doesn't look over 100 years old.
Page 5 > > Taboga Beach > >
Taboga Beach
The beach at Taboga is lovely, but is almost completely covered at high tide. That's the Discovery catamaran anchored in the harbor.
Page 6 > > San Pedro Church on Taboga > >
San Pedro Church on Taboga
Founded in the early 16th century, the San Pedro Church on the island of Taboga is reportedly the second oldest church in the western hemisphere. (The Catedral Santa Maria La Menor in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is the oldest church in the western hemisphere. It was founded in the late 15th century).
Page 7 > > Interior of San Pedro Church on Taboga > >
Interior of the San Pedro Church on Taboga
The interior of the San Pedro Church is worth a look when on a walking tour of Taboga.
Page 8 > > Taboga Island Town > >
This is a nice photo of the small town on the island of Taboga.
Page 9 > > Sailboat in the Taboga Harbor > >
Many sailboats anchor in the harbor off the island of Taboga. From their small boats, they get great views of all the ships waiting to enter the Panama Canal.
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