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In this Panama Special Report, we bring you Panama’s Pearl Islands.

The islands—the uninhabited ones, at least—are coated in a blanket of thick tropical marine forest with some areas of rare mangrove. This forest, together with rugged topography, cliffs, and rocky headlands, gives the islands a Jurassic Park feel. Innumerable sea birds wheel and dive around the cliffs, and dense tropical foliage hangs over the water, creating a wall of green that encases the beaches.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the Pacific coastal towns of Venao, Tonosi, and Cambutal.

This is a natural paradise, a region of Panama that boasts some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world, plus surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Around Coiba lies the largest coral reef on the Pacific side of the Americas.

If you like outdoor activities, then this is a region ripe with opportunity to get out and explore.

Entering Volcán, certain adjectives come to mind: unassuming, peaceful, cool (as in “not hot”), welcoming… At this point you’ll have climbed 1,400 meters above sea level. Opening your car window, your senses will be assaulted and invigorated by the crisp, clean air.

Volcán sits on an ancient lava flow from Volcán Barú—the highest point in Panama at 3,475 meters.

Today, Volcán is a farming community and boasts some of the most fertile farmland in the country. This area provides at least 75% of the fruits, vegetables, meat, and milk for the country. Coffee plantations also play a major role in this area… Volcán’s soil, temperature, and high elevation provide the perfect conditions to make this crop a winner.

The infrastructure is excellent: uninterrupted electricity, potable tap water, and internet and cable are all readily available and reasonably priced.

If you crave the quiet life, whether for retirement, to raise a family, or to start a small business, Volcán will definitely fit the bill.