Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Here at Banderas News we want to share our never-ending passion for traveling to exotic lands and faraway places with you, so this Summer we will be exploring Costa Rica and Panama through a series of travel articles from staff writer, Emily Murray, and our friends at The Real Deal Tours. Our journey starts in Panama...

The Pearl Islands (Las Islas Perlas) of Panama

For a destination rich in natural beauty, with a storied past, a slight sense of eeriness, and some pop culture sprinkles on top, our top pick is the Pearl Islands! If you're thinking to yourself: "That sounds so familiar, where have I heard of The Pearls Islands?", it might be because the CBS reality show Survivor was filmed there, twice! The place so nice, they filmed there twice.

The Pearl Islands, or Islas Perlas en Español, are located in the Gulf of Panama off the west coast of Panama. Mostly an uninhabited 200 island archipelago, some of the islands do have residents, and offer some really unique experiences and perspectives as well. Two islands in particular are Contadora and Saboga.

Contadora Island

Contadora Island's rich history had the Spanish Conquistadors using it a lot like a "customs stop of the sea"; a place to stop and tally the plundered booty and pearls from the other islands before finishing their long journey back to Spain. The word "contadora" translates to "bookkeeper" or "counter" in Spanish, a name bestowed upon the island because of this very important function it served back in the day.

The most populated of the islands, Contadora is known for its fabulous resorts and well-to-do residents... this is a favorite getaway for rich Panamanians looking to escape the hubbub. This was even the locale of choice for the exiled Shah of Iran back in 1979, when the Islamic Revolution invited him to make himself scarce. Need we say more? When it's fit for the Iranian Monarchy, you know it's amazing!

Saboga Island

Ah, Saboga... with supermodel good looks and a ghost town feel, a visit to this island is a surreal and rarefied experience we highly recommend. But first things first: don't confuse Saboga with Taboga! They are not the same island with different spellings. And one other very important note: there are no facilities to speak of on Saboga... a couple of restaurants in a very small village, a B&B, and a beach club which may or may not be open, so you really want to plan well.

In many ways Saboga is a deserted island right off a movie set, complete with shipwreck on the amazingly beautiful beach, and a spooky formerly high-end and now deserted resort. Back in 2011 the owner of the resort died in a plane crash, and this precipitated the downfall of the once opulent resort. What remains now is just the shell, sitting on a deserted beach, near the shipwreck. It's quite a sight.

So if you've been looking for a destination which is physically near the hustle and bustle of Panama City but at the same time world's away, check out the Pearl Islands! Contadora and Saboga do not disappoint, and many possibilities await... maybe even a cameo appearance on Survivor?

Related article: Exploring Panama's Anton Valley with Emily Murray

The Real Deal Tours is your one stop shop for tours, activities and information in Costa Rica and Panama. Every excursion offered at TheRealDealTours.com is discounted to below market price, so you always know you're getting the best deal possible. They're your activities specialists, and your next adventure is just a click away. So don't delay, book and save today!