This luxury private island stay in Central America is taking whale watching to a whole new level.
The only thing better than spotting humpback whales as they make their yearly migration? Doing so during a stay on a private 14-island archipelago set off Panama’s Pacific coast. Which is exactly what you can experience during the soon-to-be-launched Whale Weeks program on Islas Secas, as part of its wider Marine Safari experience for guests.
What is Islas Secas?
Islas secas is nestled off Panama’s Pacific coast.
Located 20 miles off Panama’s Pacific coast, and on the doorstep to the region’s incredible marine environments, Islas Secas offers luxury accommodation across three properties: Casitas, Tented Casitas and Casa Cavada. The latter is the crown jewel, a four-bedroom exclusive-use super-villa perched high on the cliffs for seemingly endless views of the ocean. Not to mention it’s surrounded by tranquil rainforest. On the property itself, find a semi-Olympic-sized infinity pool, and indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Islas Secas sits within a vast marine ecosystem, boasting abundant wildlife, the largest Pacific coral reefs in Panama and two protected marine parks. This is why the property focuses on guest experiences to deepen the learning and engagement of the environment around them.
What to expect from Whale Weeks?
The resort’s marine program will focus on humpback whales in August.
Whale Weeks will be a month-long program starting in August, designed to showcase the annual humpback whale migration. Guests will have direct access to the waters, researchers and conservation work surrounding this annual event.
Hear first-hand field stories from, and ask questions of, marine mammal scientists working for Panacetacea, who will be living on site for the entire month. Join expert-led whale-watching expeditions, take part in Whale Songs & Science sessions exploring humpback behaviour and acoustic monitoring and listen to whale vocalisations recorded through hydrophones.
Once they’ve left the water, guests can become part of the research team by uploading whale photographs to Happywhale, contributing to a global database that helps researchers and citizen scientists identify individual whales and track migration patterns.
While the focus may be on the humpbacks, guests will get a look into other underwater residents as well – including Panacetacea’s recent confirmation of a resident population of Bryde’s whales. Guests will be able to learn how scientists use field observation, drone work, acoustic monitoring and habitat mapping to understand their behaviour and distribution.
Whale Week sits within Islas Secas’ wider Marine Safari offering, which also includes snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, nature cruises, conservation talks, birdwatching and private island excursions.
The details
Spend your downtime relaxing by the pool.
Dates: Whale Weeks run throughout the month of August, but wider Marine Safari offerings can be enjoyed year-round
Cost: Starting from $3500 per night on an all-inclusive basis, including all dining and drinks, one spa treatment per guest/per stay and a variety of activities on and off-island. Contact: islassecas.com or call 800-377-8877.
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Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days.
From its wildlife to its vibrant culinary scene, there’s more to Panama’s eponymous capital city than its iconic canal. And you can experience all the highlights in an action-packed few days.
At the crossroads of two continents – and two oceans – Panama City has been a meeting point for people and ideas for centuries. With its rich history, mosaic of cultures and incredible biodiversity on its doorstep, it’s one of Central America’s most beguiling cities.
Yet, until recently, it was largely overlooked by visitors beyond intrepid backpackers and curious cruisers. That’s now changing as investment continues to pour into Casco Viejo, the city’s compact Old Town, which has transformed from a 1980s slum into a thriving tourism hub.
Explore the World Heritage-listed streets of Casco Viejo. (Image: Sarah Reid)
There’s also plenty to see beyond the World Heritage-listed streets of Casco Viejo. And with the city’s most interesting attractions – and top restaurants – all located within a 20-minute Uber ride, you can squeeze in a lot during a short stay.
But if you’re keen to avoid crowds, it would be wise to visit soon. With Panama’s visitor numbers increasing by a whopping 43 per cent from 2022 to 2024 to 2.8 million annual arrivals, this underrated nation – one of Central America’s safest – is increasingly cementing its place on the Latin American travel map.
Day one
Vibrant murals – such as this one outside dive bar Cantina Aurora – transform the streets of Casco Viejo, into an open-air gallery. (Image: Sarah Reid)
7AM: Resist the urge to sleep in at the elegant Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo – a boutique hotel that has breathed new life into an elite social club building abandoned in the 1930s – and join locals for a morning walk up Cerro Ancón.
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo delivers beachside luxury. (Image: Sarah Reid)
It’s only a nine-minute Uber ride to the base of this jungle-clad hill rising 199 metres above the city, where a sealed path curls towards the summit topped with a giant Panamanian flag. A remarkable volume of wildlife can be spotted en route, including hummingbirds, sloths, toucans, armadillos, agouti (tropical rodents) and maybe even a red-crested Geoffroy’s tamarin. Allow at least an hour for the 3.4-kilometre return walk.
Spot toucans at Cerra Ancón, overlooking Panama City. (Image: Sarah Reid)
8:30AM: Return to your hotel for breakfast at its signature restaurant, Caleta. Try the Panamanian brekkie with eggs, corn tortillas, chicken tamale and beef carimañolas (stuffed yuca fritters), before exploring the pastel-hued streets of Casco Viejo.
Virtual museum Mola is dedicated to the art of Kuna (Guna) Indians. (Image: Visit Panama Tourism/Alfredo Maiquez Media)
Must-visit museums include the Mola Museum, celebrating the vibrant textiles hand-stitched by Indigenous Kuna (Guna) artisans and the Museo del Canal Interoceanico de Panama (Panama Canal Museum), with its detailed exhibits covering every imaginable aspect of the newly controversial canal. And don’t miss the Iglesia de San José (San José Church) protecting the Altar de Oro (Golden Altar). It’s the sole relic salvaged from Panama Viejo, the city’s original European settlement, after it was razed by Welsh buccaneer Henry Morgan in 1671.
12:30PM: Experience a fonda (traditional roadside restaurant) at one of Casco Viejo’s best, Fonda Lo Que Hay, which serves up dishes with a modern twist.
Dine at Fonda Lo Que Hay, one of Casco Viejo’s best. (Image: Emite Photography)
Think ‘sexy clams’ with garlic, pumpkin and cashew nuts; octopus with green curry and coconut rice; and daily chalkboard specials. The clue is in the name: they serve lo que hay (‘whatever there is’).
Clams from Fonda Lo Que Hay. (Image: Sarah Reid)
2:30PM: See how ships transit through the Panama Canal locks at its Miraflores Visitor Center, a 20-minute drive from Casco Viejo. The entrance ticket includes access to a wheelchair-accessible viewing deck and an IMAX Theatre, where a 45-minute 3D film narrated by Morgan Freeman is shown eight times a day from 8:45am. Or take an Uber to the riot of primary colours on the Amador Causeway, better known as the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo, for an immersive introduction to Panama’s biological and cultural diversity.
Explore the country’s natural wonders at Biomuseo. (Image: Visit Panama Tourism)
7PM: It’s only a short stroll from your hotel to dinner at Kaandela, the cosy contemporary restaurant anchoring the eight-room Armala Boutique Hotel, set in an exquisitely restored 1921 building.
Driven by the grill, stand-out dishes include the ‘pork belly pops’ with kimchee and grapefruit ceviche, and the skirt steak with recao (a flavour-packed combination of herbs) chimichurri. Intimate cocktail bar Element is a tempting spot for a nightcap around the corner on Calle Oeste.
Local produce is at the heart of Kaandela’s philosophy. (Image: Soulfocus Media)
Day two
7:30AM: After an early hotel breakfast, fill your water bottle (the city’s tap water is safe to drink) and enjoy another superb nature walk in the 232-hectare Parque Natural Metropolitano, just a 10-minute drive from Casco Viejo, before the tropical heat sets in. An oasis of biodiversity, it’s another great place to spot wildlife – particularly sloths and howler monkeys – without leaving the city.
Enjoy a nature walk at Parque Natural Metropolitano. (Image: Sarah Reid)
10AM: Cross the city to the coastal ruins of Panama Viejo, the original Panama City settled in 1519. Climb the stairs into the 1626 cathedral tower, one of its best-preserved structures, for views over the 28-hectare site juxtaposed against the skyscrapers of the modern city surrounding it. Charting the site’s history over 1500 years – including displays of pre-Columbian burial chambers unearthed here – the excellent Museum Plaza Mayor also offers a welcome blast of air conditioning.
Visit Panama Viejo. (Image: Sarah Reid)
Midday: Uber back to Casco Viejo and alight at the Café Coca Cola, established in 1875, for a cold drink in a history-steeped setting. Then satiate your hunger at the Snack Shack, one of the best spots in the Old Town for a wholesome, casual lunch; try the ceviche.
2PM: You’ve earned a relaxing afternoon lounging beside the Sofitel’s pool with a cañatini (dark rum, sugar cane honey, lime juice and coconut water) in-hand. If you’ve still got stamina for sightseeing (or shopping), head downtown to admire the fine collection of Panamanian art at the privately owned Museo de Arte Contemporáneo or shop for textiles directly from Kuna (Guna) artisans at the stalls on Paseo Esteban Huertas, south from your hotel.
7:30PM: Locals will tell you the city’s best dining is in the (new) city. Indeed, two of its restaurants were named among Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2024.
Wonton Camaron at MAITO.
Reserve a table at MAITO to sample Mario Castrellón’s refined take on contemporary Panamanian cuisine, fusing flavours from the myriad cultures that have shaped it, with a choice of à la carte or a nine-course degustation. Or head to Cantina del Tigre to try chef Fulvio Miranda’s reimagined Panamanian dishes spanning octopus croquettes to langoustine tamale, paired with fruity cocktails – papaya negroni, anyone?
Vegan ceviche at Cantina del Tigre.
These restaurants are located in the San Francisco area alongside Intimo and La Tapa del Coco, both listed in the extended top 100 list of Latin America’s Best Restaurants.
