The Maltese-flagged cruise ship Hanseatic Inspiration arrived at Iguana Island Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Approximately 200 international tourists disembarked to explore the protected natural area located in Pedasí district, Los Santos province. This visit represents one of the largest cruise ship groups ever to access the remote wildlife sanctuary.
Park rangers from Panama’s Ministry of Environment and administrative staff welcomed the 158 visitors from multiple European and North American countries. Local entrepreneurs provided reception services for the arriving guests, injecting tourism revenue directly into the community economy. The event highlighted Panama’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a premium ecotourism destination beyond its famous engineering marvel.
Protected Area Welcomes Unprecedented Visitor Numbers
The Hanseatic Inspiration is currently undertaking an eleven-day voyage titled “Panama Canal, Autumn Repositioning.” This specialized itinerary began on November 8 from Amador Fort in Panama City and will conclude on November 19 in Colón province. The route includes various tourist zones in Costa Rica before continuing to Panamanian destinations including Iguana Island and Darién National Park, ultimately transiting the engineering wonder that connects the oceans.
Tourists from Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Romania participated in guided tours of the wildlife refuge. They learned about the area’s ecological significance and observed diverse species including birds, iguanas, and various crab species during their visit. Park staff directed visitors to designated zones for specific activities and food preparation areas to minimize environmental impact.
Our staff feels very good about having been chosen as one of the cruise ship’s stopover points. This is the largest cruise ship we have received so far, so this visit reaffirms the island’s potential as a very important ecotourism attraction, regarding the scenarios it offers, despite being a small space. [Translated from Spanish]
Charlie Batista Muñoz, head of the Iguana Island Wildlife Refuge, expressed satisfaction with the successful visit. He emphasized that the event demonstrates the growing recognition of Panama’s protected areas as world-class ecotourism destinations. The National System of Protected Areas (Panama) manages numerous conservation zones throughout the country that are increasingly attracting international attention.
Ecotourism Development in Protected Zones
This cruise stopover forms part of Panama’s broader strategy to develop sustainable tourism in its protected natural areas. The country maintains an extensive network of conservation zones that preserve biodiversity while generating economic opportunities for local communities. The successful hosting of large cruise groups requires careful coordination between tourism operators and environmental authorities.
Visitors respected all protected area regulations according to refuge management. This compliance demonstrates the effectiveness of visitor education and the appeal of conservation-focused tourism experiences. The growing interest in destinations like isla iguana provides economic justification for continued investment in Panama’s natural heritage preservation.
The visitors respected all the norms of the protected area, so we wish to continue being chosen as a protected area to visit by these vessels in their national and international itineraries. [Translated from Spanish]
Batista Muñoz added this hopeful note about future cruise tourism opportunities. His comments reflect the delicate balance Panama seeks between tourism development and environmental protection. The country’s diverse attractions range from engineering marvels like the Panama Canal to pristine natural areas like the Darién National Park.
The Hanseatic Inspiration continues its journey through Panamanian waters following the Iguana Island visit. This specialized cruise itinerary showcases the country’s lesser-known attractions beyond the typical tourism circuit. Such niche tourism products represent a growing segment of Panama’s tourism market, particularly appealing to travelers seeking authentic natural and cultural experiences.
Local communities surrounding protected areas increasingly benefit from well-managed tourism activities. The Iguana Island visit provided direct economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs while raising international awareness about Panama’s conservation efforts. This model of community-involved ecotourism demonstrates how environmental protection and economic development can successfully coexist.