Isla Aguja, Cartí | Top 100 Bikini Destinations
CARTÍ, GUNA YALA / PANAMA
A beach day across the water at
Isla Aguja.
Palm shade, a small island kitchen, and a boat ride from Cartí.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 100 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / GUNA YALA
Make the crossing,
then slow down.
Isla Aguja, also called Icodub, is a small island off Cartí in Panama’s Guna Yala territory. Come for the pale sand and coconut palms, and give yourself time to settle in after the boat ride. If you stay overnight, the island’s Guna hosts provide the meals and keep the day simple.
Cartí is your gateway on the mainland side of the crossing and a name you’ll see on nearby Guna communities. Plan your landing and return before you leave. A visit to a community or a second island is a separate outing, arranged with a local host.
ON THE WORLD MAP
Off Panama’s Caribbean coast near Cartí
Isla Aguja, Cartí, Guna Yala
01 / GETTING THERE
Arrange the road and boat together.
Get around Cartí and the surrounding coast
Walk once you’re on Isla Aguja. For another island, arrange a boat through your hosts and ask what happens if conditions change. Confirm the name of the island as well as the landing, since many trips leave from the Cartí area.
On the beach
Ask your host about wind, current and a suitable swim entry. Stay clear of boat approaches, wear your life jacket during the crossing, and skip swimming if your host advises against it. Stay out of the water after dark. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
Aguja is a small palm-covered island with pale sand and reef water. Book your visit with a local operator. Confirm what the island will provide for the day and pack the water, shade and dry layers you’ll need for the crossing.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
Arrive by arranged boat
Confirm the landing and return with your host. Pack small enough to manage your bag at the dock and keep your passport and phone in a dry pouch.
Official beach information ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
Ask about every transfer
The route includes a vehicle, boat boarding and sand. A continuous step-free route was not verified. Describe your needs to the operator before paying and ask about the actual boarding setup and toilets.
03 / THE SAND
Pale sand and rocky edges
The shore changes around the island, with sand, rock and shallow reef. Look at the water from shore before choosing an entry. Leave coral and marine life undisturbed.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Eat with your host
Confirm when your meal is served and what drinks are included. Carry extra drinking water and a snack you can safely eat if your dietary needs are difficult to meet on an island.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Bring the basics yourself
Pack a towel and your own sun protection. Ask whether gear is included for your particular outing and where it is available. Island equipment supplies can be limited.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Use your host’s facilities
The overnight listing describes shared toilets and basic showers with treated water. Day visitors should ask which facilities their booking includes.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Isla Aguja.
01 / ARRIVE
Take a first look
Read the notices and check conditions before you unpack.
02 / WALK
Start with the shore
Choose a short walk that leaves you an easy return.
03 / PAUSE
Make room for a break
Drink some water and keep your plans flexible.
04 / RETURN
Finish with your host
Agree your departure and change into dry clothes before boarding.
Start with a short shore walk while your host explains the conditions. Leave your bag in a dry spot, drink some water and ask when lunch is served. Keep the rest of the day loose enough to sit in the shade or swim in the area your host recommends. Agree the boat pickup before settling in.
NEARBY BEACHES
Three nearby shores.
These shores are separate boat stops. Distances are approximate and measured in a straight line from Aguja. The actual route, access and landing depend on your captain and the sea.
Isla Diablo
Also called Niadub, this is a low island with palm shade and a sandy shore.
- Best for
- A guided day stop with time on the sand
- Facilities
- Confirm lunch, toilets and shade with your operator
- Good to know
- Stay well clear of working boats. Ask where to enter the water on the day.
Western Dutch Cays sandbar
A patch of pale sand in shallow water near the western end of Cayos Holandeses. Exposure depends on the water level.
- Best for
- A captain-approved sandbar stop on a longer boat outing
- Facilities
- No facilities on the sandbar. Carry water and bring your trash back.
- Good to know
- The map marks the photographed area. Ask your captain which sandbar and landings are possible that day.
Chichime
A separate cay with sand, palms and sheltered-looking water that still calls for local advice.
- Best for
- A shore stop or an adults-only overnight package
- Facilities
- Basic shared facilities through the host
- Good to know
- Check landing and swim conditions. The overnight age policy is separate from day-trip access.
Distances are straight-line from Isla Aguja. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
04 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Give the boat outings their own time.
01 / CARTÍ / COMMUNITY VISIT
Cartí with a local guide
Ask your host whether a Cartí community is receiving visitors and arrange a visit by invitation. A local guide can explain how the waterfront is used and where you can stop. Ask before photographing anyone or entering a community building.
Congreso General de Gunayala ↗02 / PERRO CHICO / WRECK SHORE
Perro Chico’s wreck shore
Ask a qualified local guide whether the site is suitable that day. The operator warns of very strong currents. A shore visit can be worthwhile on its own, and the channel is a route for your captain.
Sea San Blas / Perro Chico ↗03 / CAYOS LIMONES / SANDBANK
The Natural Pool
This shallow sandbank is a possible stop on a guided island route. Let your captain choose whether to land, stay inside the area your guide sets, and leave sea stars in the water. Treat the stop as weather dependent.
Sea San Blas / Natural Pool route ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Isla Aguja and Cartí.
The pin is on Isla Aguja’s shore. Find the mainland and the Cartí area to orient yourself before the crossing. Use your operator’s named landing for directions to the boat.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
Cartí and the waters around it.
Look for the working boats, timber landings and narrow lanes in these photographs. Captions name the waterfronts and islands shown. Some are archival views, so use your host’s current directions for the trip.
05 / SIX ISLAND STAYS
Find your base.
ISLA AGUJA
Aguja family rooms and cabins
PACKAGE About B/.125–220 per adult per night, depending on room type and length of stay (checked 2026-11)
Stay on the beach island in a private room or cabin. Bathrooms are shared. The package includes the road and boat transfer, meals and a departure-day excursion, subject to conditions.
Aguja family rooms and cabins official site ↗ISLA YANIS
Yanis island cabins
PACKAGE About B/.95–190 per adult per night, depending on cabin type and length of stay (checked 2026-11)
Choose a shared cabin or ask about a private cabin over the water. Both use shared bathrooms. Excursions are optional extras, so compare the package total with the trips you want.
Yanis island cabins official site ↗ISLA CHICHIME
Chichime island cabins
PACKAGE About B/.100–180 per adult per night, depending on cabin type and length of stay (checked 2026-11)
This adults-only package offers shared or private cabins and shared bathrooms. An excursion is included, so confirm the departure-day plan before choosing onward travel.
Chichime island cabins official site ↗ISLA PELICANO
Pelicano family cabins
PACKAGE About B/.145–175 per person for one night at the direct host’s posted starting rates (checked 2026-11)
The local family lists shared, private beach and overwater cabin categories. Ask about bathroom arrangements for the exact room. The posted packages include transport and meals.
Pelicano family cabins official site ↗ISLA FRANKLIN
Franklin island cabins
PACKAGE About B/.120–200 per adult per night, plus the stated tax, depending on cabin type and length of stay (checked 2026-11)
An adults-only island stay with shared and private cabin categories. Choose it for its communal setting and confirm excursions and taxes when comparing prices.
Franklin island cabins official site ↗ISLA PERRO CHICO
Perro Chico overwater cabins
PACKAGE About B/.175–240 per adult per night, depending on length of stay (checked 2026-11)
The private cabins in this adults-only package take two or three guests. The bathrooms are shared and excursions are optional. Ask about currents before any plan to enter the water.
Perro Chico overwater cabins official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Warm weather and showers are possible throughout the year on this coast. Wind and swells can change a boat trip even on a sunny day. Ask about the sea forecast and check whether departures are running before you leave Panama City. Official conditions and seasonal planning ↗
06 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
What the kitchen serves
You’ll generally eat what the island kitchen prepares for its guests. Fish or chicken with rice and vegetables is a common pattern. The bands are the overnight package price per person, with the meals included. Ask your hosts about allergies before booking and bring extra drinking water.
Local habits
Cover swimwear before entering community spaces or sitting down to eat. Ask before taking portraits or photographing someone’s home. If you buy a mola, ask who made it and whether the maker wants the work photographed.
A LITTLE SPANISH
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Hola
- Hello
- ¿Dónde sale la lancha?
- Where does the boat leave from?
- ¿Incluye la comida?
- Is the meal included?
- ¿Dónde podemos nadar?
- Where can we swim?
SIX MEAL ARRANGEMENTS
Where to eat.
ISLA AGUJA
Meals with the Aguja family
PACKAGE Included in the B/.125–220 overnight package per adult per night (checked 2026-11)
Ask the island cook what’s available. One water, juice or soda comes with each included meal. Ask about lunch on the departure excursion.
Meals with the Aguja family official site ↗ISLA YANIS
Meals at Yanis
PACKAGE Included in the B/.95–190 overnight package per adult per night (checked 2026-11)
Confirm the meals listed for your arrival and departure days. Carry extra water and ask what you’ll need for separately booked excursions.
Meals at Yanis official site ↗ISLA CHICHIME
Shared meals at Chichime
PACKAGE Included in the B/.100–180 overnight package per adult per night (checked 2026-11)
Take your included meals in the shared setting and ask the hosts about food on the excursion day. Check dietary needs directly before you travel.
Shared meals at Chichime official site ↗ISLA PELICANO
Meals with the Pelicano hosts
PACKAGE Included in the B/.145–175 one-night package per person at posted starting rates (checked 2026-11)
The direct host lists three meals daily. Ask which meals fit your actual arrival and departure, and whether drinks are included.
Meals with the Pelicano hosts official site ↗ISLA FRANKLIN
Meals at Franklin
PACKAGE Included in the B/.120–200 overnight package per adult per night, plus the stated tax (checked 2026-11)
Included meals come with one water, juice or soda. The island sells extra drinks. Ask about dietary needs and pack a suitable snack for the journey.
Meals at Franklin official site ↗ISLA PERRO CHICO
Meals at Perro Chico
PACKAGE Included in the B/.175–240 overnight package per adult per night (checked 2026-11)
The package covers the meals listed in the itinerary, with one drink each. Confirm whether a meal is included if you book a separate boat outing.
Meals at Perro Chico official site ↗GUNA YALA / DRINK STOPS
Three places for a drink.
Aguja’s dining area
Have the drink included with your meal and ask what the hosts have available beyond that. Bring your own drinking water for the rest of the day. Aguja’s dining area ↗
Chichime’s waterside bar
The operator shows a thatched bar by the water. Check service and availability with the hosts before making it part of your plans. Chichime’s waterside bar ↗
Drinks with the Franklin hosts
This adults-only stay offers extra drinks for purchase. Ask what’s available and bring small US bills. Drinks with the Franklin hosts ↗
Keep your evening on the island where you’re staying unless your host has arranged the return. Confirm drink service before visiting and follow the captain’s guidance on water travel.
GUNA YALA EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Check the community calendar.
Revolución Dule commemorations
In winter, Guna communities mark the Revolución Dule. Ask a local host whether any part of the program welcomes visitors and follow the organizers’ guidance on attendance and photography.
Revolución Dule commemorations official site ↗Semana de la Cultura
In late summer, the Guna culture week includes community conversations about local history and identity. Ask which activities, if any, welcome visitors. Some sessions take place in schools or community spaces.
Semana de la Cultura ↗Currency / Panamanian balboa
The balboa (PAB or B/.) is at par with the US dollar. The package pages quote US dollars, and the bands here show the equivalent amount in balboas. Carry small US bills for the separate territory entry payment and extras. Plan to get your cash before the island crossing.
Visit Panama / national currency FAQ ↗07 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for a small boat and a simple stay.
BOAT TO BEACH
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the San Blas Ribbon bikini with a light shirt, sun hat and sandals you can secure for the ride. Pack a dry change in your bag before you board.
For a walk
Use water shoes or sandals with grip for uneven landings. Keep one hand free to board, and have a rain layer ready if the crossing is wet.
In town
Put on a dry shirt and shorts or a loose dress before a community visit or a meal. Pack an extra layer for your ride back to the city.
SIZE GUIDE
Check your measurements.
Use the garment-specific chart below to compare your measurements before choosing a size.
Inches
| CHEST (inches) | HIPS (inches) | |
| XS | 33 ⅛ | 35 ⅜ |
| S | 34 ⅝ | 37 |
| M | 36 ¼ | 38 ⅝ |
| L | 39 ⅜ | 41 ¾ |
| XL | 42 ½ | 44 ⅞ |
| 2XL | 45 ⅝ | 48 |
Centimeters
| CHEST (cm) | HIPS (cm) | |
| XS | 84 | 90 |
| S | 88 | 94 |
| M | 92 | 98 |
| L | 100 | 106 |
| XL | 108 | 114 |
| 2XL | 116 | 122 |
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should you use?
Tocumen is the international gateway for Panama City. Confirm your city pickup and allow a separate day for the road and boat trip to Isla Aguja.
Can you swim at Isla Aguja?
Ask your host about safe entry and the day’s conditions. Stay away from boat approaches and shallow coral. Skip the swim if the water is rough or the host advises against it.
Is the beach step-free?
The approach includes boat boarding and a sandy shore. Ask the operator about your exact landing and facilities before booking if you need help with access.
Do you need a passport and cash?
Carry the original passport for the checkpoint and small US bills for the territory entry payment and extras. Confirm the current requirements with your operator.
Does the cabin price cover the whole party?
The listed bands are per person. Check the occupancy rules, age limits and inclusions before choosing. An included island meal is part of the package price.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Sky blue and cobalt bows.
A sky-blue bandeau with cobalt bows and a solid cobalt high-leg bottom.
Explore the featured bikini ↗
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