The Pearl Islands-World-Class Exotic Beauty and CBS's Survivor Location

View related attractions

Just a 15 minute plane ride from Panama City lie the exotic Pearl Islands- you can still buy pearls today, but the major attraction of this archipelago are its picturesque aqua waters, lush vegetation, fascinating marine life and lovely sparsely populated beaches. It is the location of the 7th and 8th CBS Survivor series that aired Fall 2003 and Winter 2004...the only place in the world where two CBS Survivor series have been filmed...that should tell you something about just how special are Panama's Pearl Islands.

First settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, thousands of pearls were found here including the 31 carat, 400 year old Pelegrina pearl owned by Elizabeth Taylor today. Previous owners included the Queen of Spain, a French Emperor and an English Queen.

HOW TO GET THERE: Air Panama and Aeroperlas have several daily flights from Panama City's Albrook Airport. Roundtrip is about $60. There is also a ferry, but it is no less expensive.

WHERE TO STAY: Hacienda del Mar is one of Panama's most outstanding destinations and has been featured in both Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast magazines. Located on an exclusive private island, Isla San Jose, the largest privately owned island on the Pacific Coast of the Americas with 50 private beaches with pristine waters and white sand beaches. The setting and island scenery is some of the best anywhere and care is taken to do everything right for guests. Sportfishing, diving and snorkeling and all terrain vehicle tours and rainforest hikes are some of the activities. See their listing below.

Contadora, the most well known island in the archipelago, has an all inclusive resort The Contadora Resort and several smaller beach hotels. It is also home to the rich and famous. Wealthy Panamanians and others including designer Oscar de la Renta have fabulous homes here and it is the place the Shah of Iran chose to live in exile after his overthrow in 1979.

Highlights: Great diving, snorkeling and sport fishing, lush vegetation, close to Panama City, an exotic island getaways.