10-Hectare Island in the Gulf of Montijo, next to Isla Cébaco — $100,000

Just off Isla Cébaco, in the heart of the Gulf of Montijo, Veraguas province, a private 10-hectare islet is for sale — fully surrounded by sea and covered in vegetation, one of the few islands of this size available in the area today. It's reached in roughly 45 minutes by boat from Puerto Mutis, and sits between the Azuero Peninsula and the Las Palmas Peninsula. The asking price is $100,000.

It's important for any interested buyer to understand the property's exact legal status: it transfers by possessory right (derecho posesorio) registered under the name of Nicolás Saval Chang, with over 15 years of continuous possession — this is not a registered property title. This status, common on islands and islets along Panama's Pacific coast, is precisely why the price is considerably lower than that of a titled property of similar size. We recommend any interested buyer conduct their own legal due diligence, with a lawyer of their choosing, before formalizing any purchase.

Next to this islet is another small island owned by the well-known Panamanian accordionist Samy Sandoval, and both sit adjacent to Isla Cébaco itself, which — thanks to its elongated shape — acts as a natural barrier against the swell and currents of the gulf, giving the islet for sale comparatively calmer waters than the open sea.

The Gulf of Montijo is known for the abundance of its fishing: according to studies by the MarViva Foundation, the gulf can be considered a major estuary, and it's one of the areas most prized in the country by sport and deep-sea fishing enthusiasts, with proximity to Hannibal Bank and Coiba Island an added draw for anyone chasing big game fish. For water sports lovers, Santa Catalina Beach — world-renowned for its surf — is a short distance away, ideal for surfing and kitesurfing.

The natural setting around this island is among the best-protected in Panama: the Gulf of Montijo is a wetland of international importance recognized under the Ramsar Convention, and a short boat ride away sits Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site prized for the richness of its reefs and marine biodiversity. Owning an island in this area puts you directly on the map of one of the most valued marine corridors in the Eastern Tropical Pacific — something few private properties in Panama can offer.

Panama is one of the few places in the world with whale sightings almost year-round: the first season runs from February to March, and the second from June to October. Add to that the regular presence of dolphins and sea turtles in the area, which turns the boat ride out to the island into an experience of its own.

Thanks to its strategic position within the gulf, the islet has potential to become a supply or service hub for boats passing through the area — drinking water, food, fuel, and other goods and services for boats and yachts, a niche with little competition given how remote the area is.

This is a property for a very specific kind of buyer: someone looking for a truly unique asset — an entire private island, not a slice of coastal land — suited to a personal retreat, a low-impact ecotourism project, or a base of operations for sport fishing and boating in one of Panama's richest marine areas. The combination of size (10 hectares), a protected location next to Isla Cébaco, and an accessible entry price due to its possessory-rights status make this island an uncommon opportunity in the Panamanian market — the kind of listing that rarely stays available for long once word gets out among buyers who already know this stretch of the Pacific.