In short
- Bring your physical passport and $20 cash for the park fee.
- Pack your gear in a dry bag to protect it from sea spray.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and a reusable water bottle.
In this article
Tours depart from Santa Catalina around 8:00 AM and last about 8 hours. The 1.5-hour speedboat ride to the islands is often wet. Proper packing ensures you pass the ranger station checks and stay comfortable on the water.
What documents and money do I need?
You must bring a valid physical passport and cash.
The Coiba Island Ranger Station requires a physical passport or ID copy for park registration. You also need cash to pay the entrance fee upon arrival. The fee is $20 for foreign visitors and $5 for Panamanian citizens. Bring extra cash to tip your local boat guide.
Why do I need a dry bag for a Coiba boat trip?
The 1 to 1.5-hour speedboat ride from Santa Catalina generates heavy sea spray.
A dry bag is essential to protect your electronics, passport, and valuables. Even on calm days, water often splashes over the sides of the open speedboats.
What kind of sunscreen is allowed in Coiba National Park?
You should use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine ecosystem.
The park contains 1,700 hectares of coral reefs. Standard sunscreens contain chemicals that harm these delicate systems. Combine reef-safe sunscreen with a hat and polarized sunglasses to block the intense sun during your 8-hour tour.
What should I wear on the boat?
Wear a swimsuit, water shoes, and pack a dry change of clothes.
You will get wet getting on and off the boat at the islands. Wear water shoes, sandals with straps, or reef shoes to protect your feet. A microfiber towel is useful for drying off quickly between snorkeling stops.
Can I bring plastic bottles to the park?
You should bring a reusable water bottle instead of single-use plastic.
Coiba National Park strictly enforces a Leave No Trace policy. You must take all trash with you when you leave. Pack a reusable water bottle to minimize plastic waste on the islands.
Coiba boat tour packing list
Here is a quick checklist of the mandatory and recommended items.
- Valid passport or physical ID copy
- Cash for the $20 park fee and tips
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Dry bag
- Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes
- Water shoes or sandals with straps
- Microfiber towel
- Hat and polarized sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
Questions travellers ask
Do children need to pay the Coiba entrance fee?
No. Children 12 and under are exempt from the national park entrance fee.
Can I collect shells in Coiba?
No. Collecting shells or fishing is strictly prohibited within the national park boundaries.
Are drones allowed on the boat tours?
Drones require prior authorization and permits from park authorities before you pack them.
