La Coralina Island House — the newest member of the Emerging Destination family — lies along the east coast of the Isla Colón, the main island of the exotic Bocas del Toro archipelago on western Panama.

Named for Christopher Columbus, who came across the islands in 1502 during his fourth and last voyage to the New World, the island has gone from relative obscurity to Panama’s primo beach holiday destination in little more than 20 years.

While La Coralina boasts its own amazing beach, guests can catch a little surf, sun and sand at other drop-dead gorgeous shores around Isla Colón. Among the hot spots are Playa Escondido, the Blue Lagoon and La Piscina Beach just up the coast from the resort; Playa Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach on the northwest coast; and Istmito Beach near Bocas Town.

An ancient Spanish colonial settlement, Bocas Town revolves around Plaza Simon Bolivar with its bandstand and huge shade trees. La Coralina guests going for a night on the town will find a wide range of food and beverage options along the Bocas Town waterfront, from vegan cafes, pizza joints and Korean street food to upscale Japanese, Italian, and Panamanian seafood restaurants.

While getting wet via swimming, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling are the island’s main activities, visitors can also undertake a guided eco-tour through the mangroves or interior rainforest in search of sloths, monkeys and other creatures.

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