We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Time all in--faster to ferry or fly

Minneapolis, MN
136 posts
44 helpful votes
Time all in--faster to ferry or fly

Hi all! Wondering what's really faster to Isla Contadora all in. I know the ferry itself is about 1:45 and the flight is 20 minutes but I assume you need to get to the airport 1-2 hours before to go through security. And I'm sure that the ferry has a boarding process as well. Does anyone have advice on what the timing really is for both, all in. Also can I hire a private boat to take my family of 4 over there (without breaking the bank). Thanks!!

Palm Coast, Florida
Destination Expert
for Flagler Beach, Palm Coast
3,077 posts
86 helpful votes
1. Re: Time all in--faster to ferry or fly

I cannot answer all these questions but assume you will fly from the local airport, Albrook and it is a small local type with easy access.

Ramsey, Minnesota
501 posts
7 helpful votes
2. Re: Time all in--faster to ferry or fly

I went to isla contadora last August. We were thinking about taking the plane but heard from a couple different places that they are always late and sometime even land somewhere else first to drop off supplies.

We took the ferry Sea Las Perlas from Brisas de Amador, Perico Island Causeway. Boarding was 6:45am

All you do is show up they have a tent with chairs under it. There will be a guy at the front sitting at a table you give him your reservation number and he gives you a colored ticket depending which island you are going to go to. The ferry left on time and we were at the island before we knew it.

How long will you be on the island for? I believe if you look on google maps Playa Executiva was our favorite beach. I think the only place that takes cards for eating is Geralds its just up the road from the ferry landing.

Beer was cheap at the supermarket but my wife wanted a little bottle of vodka. It was $14 for a airplane bottle of Finlandia.

Definitely rent a golf cart to get around it is fun to hop around and go from beach to beach. When one beach got too crowded for us we would go to another. ( Too crowded when we went was more than 4 people )

Depending on when you are going, if you are into whale watching or fishing don't go to the tour guide place just go to the beach where the Ferry landing is and ask someone with a boat. ( They will be the ones that shuttle you to the island from the ferry) We paid less than half than the tour place and we were a lot closer to the whales than them as we saw there boat come by us 30 mins after we got to the whales.

Our Captains name slips my mind but if I think of it I will let you know,

If you save money by taking the ferry I saw a nice Yacht take a family out and they came back with a bunch of lobster to cook at their hotel I don't know if it was private or you could hire them though,

Have fun the island is beautiful.

Budapest
1 post
41 helpful votes
3. Re: Time all in--faster to ferry or fly

For what it is worth. We arrived at the ferry terminal at Amador at 7:15. Boat left on time at 7:30am and were physically on Contadora unloaded by 9:30

Charlotte, North...
5 posts
28 helpful votes
4. Re: Time all in--faster to ferry or fly

HI - I haven’t had any luck booking the ferry online. Can we buy tickets at the ferry the morning we want to go?

Ramsey, Minnesota
501 posts
7 helpful votes
5. Re: Time all in--faster to ferry or fly

Try emailing contact@panama-isla-contadora.com or talking on facebook https://www.facebook.com/casadelsolpty/ They have rental properties there names are Anke and Peter and are English speaking We stayed with them and they took care of our ferry reservations.

Maybe they could take care of yours and they can set you up with a golf cart rental too

6. Re: Time all in--faster to ferry or fly

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

What are forum guidelines?
Get answers to your questions about Contadora Island
© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in New Zealand. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.