Playa Larga (Contadora)

A short boat ride from Panama City, Contadora Island is a once luxurious retreat with pristine beaches and upscale resorts. Home to seven beaches, Playa Larga is one of the island’s finest, albeit with a couple of curiosities thrown in.

Slightly obscured by the vegetation behind the beach are the ruins of the Contadora Island Resort. In the 60s and 70s the hotel played host to the rich and famous but its fortunes waned. The final nail in the coffin was when the one-time owner and drug lord, Carlos Arango, died in a mysterious plane crash.

But that isn’t the only oddity on this otherwise picture-perfect stretch of white sand. Towards the southern tip is the much graffitied remains of the island ferry. This was abandoned here around the same time as the resort shut down and has remained here ever since.

If you head to the northern end of the beach normality returns; perfect white sand, palm trees swaying and a functioning hotel. A perfect spot to unwind in tranquility and enjoy panoramic ocean views.