A tropical night in Taboga

Lovely getaway during a 48-hour stop: leave the busy city behind and head to the peaceful island of Taboga, just a 40-minute ferry ride away!
At 09:30, take an Uber to the ferry terminal, about a 30-minute ride. Check in and catch the 11:00 ferry to Taboga (Taboga Express), arriving at 11:45. Be sure to book in advance, as many time slots fill up quickly, especially during weekends.

We stayed at Taboga Palace & Spa, hosted by the cheerful, incredibly friendly, and chatty Englishman David. The hotel is spotless, has amazing air conditioning, and a lovely pool. You can check in from 14:00, but feel free to drop off your bags earlier. David will immediately tell you where to eat, what to see, and can help you arrange excursions if you like.

We took a short walk around town: visited the second-oldest church in the Western Hemisphere, strolled along the boulevard, had a beer on the beach, and enjoyed a nice lunch. Then we spent the rest of the day lounging by the pool (with cocktails), had dinner at Casa Taboga, and ended the night with a nightcap on the square among the locals.

The next day we did a short hike to the highest point on the island, had breakfast, and took the 10:15 ferry back, back in the city by noon.

A special shout-out to the hotel: spotless, conveniently located just 30 seconds from the ferry, genuinely friendly and helpful owner, spacious rooms, and - big plus - a wonderful pool. Book via tabogapalace.com, it’s cheaper than on Booking.com.

Tip: bring a sleep mask if you’re sensitive to light, the curtains aren’t exactly blackout.
Pro tip: don’t let the weather forecast scare you off. According to the predictions, the island was supposed to be wiped out by a mega-super-cyclone-hurricane, but we got a grand total of five seconds of rain. Quote from the owner: “The weather forecast is killing the island.”