Isla del Rey (Pearl Islands, Panama)

Isla del Rey (aka Isla Rica) is the biggest of Pearl Islands - an archipelago located in the Gulf of Panama (Pacific Ocean). The island has a total area of approx 234 km2 (90 ml2) and population around 2,000. The isle's current name is more with regard to Christ the King than to a secular king.

On Isla del Rey there are 4 towns - San Miguel (population around 1,000), La Esmeralda (pop around 500), La Ensenada (pop around 100) and La Guinea (pop around 100). It is larger than all other Pearl Islands combined. Isla del Rey is also the Panama's 2nd largest isle - following Coiba Island.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa (1475-1519) was the first European to discover the isle in October 1513. He could only see the isles from afar, as poor weather prevented the canoes from landing. De Balboa named the island "Rich Island" (Isla Rica).

Isla del Rey cruise terminal