Isla Grande

I have know about Isla Grande for a while now, but last Saturday was the first time I had ever been to the island.

Isla Grande is located within the Portobelo National park. The only means to reach the island is a 5-minute boat ride from the small town of La Guaira, located approximately 20 kilometers from Portobelo and whose main form of sustenance is fishing and tourism.

The population of Isla Grande is approximately 300 inhabitants, though the island receives many tourists on weekends and holidays, who enjoy the island's beaches, trails, and excellent scuba diving and snorkeling (coral reefs surround the island). Isla Grande is especially peaceful since there are no cars or motor bikes on the island.

The people of Isla Grande are incredibly friendly and willing to do what they can in order to make one's stay as enjoyable as possible. We ate a fabulous dinner at Restaurant Congo, where we engorged ourselves on a huge crab, lobster, and an excellent fillet of Corvina.

I can't wait to go back!