Culebra Island

Culebra Island is one of 4 islands at the Pacific entrance to the Panama canal. At one time these islands were a very strategic military base, the U.S. established them as Fort Grant to guard the southern entrance to the canal. Between 1913 and WWII the U.S. made Fort Grant into the most powerful defense complex in the world, complete with long range guns, bunkers, and a massively protected bombproof structure that was needed “in case of emergency and to store vital data. Even today, the U.S. government has not disclosed what data was so important it needed to be store in the center of a rock island.

The islands were turned over to Panama in 1979 as part of the Torrijos-Carter treaty of 1977. Today the Amador Causeway as this area is know is vibrant part of Panama City, with shops, restaurants, museums, and a marina.

The island provides spectacular views of both the Panama Canal on one side, and the skyline of Panama City on the other. Culebra Island offers an excellent vantage point to see the ships anchored awaiting entrance into the canal.

We spent our day at the Marine Exhibitions Center located on the island and operated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. There were several exhibits where we learned about the different types of fish important to Panama, whether for the biodiversity and health of the oceans or for commercial and tourism.

There were many hands on exhibits where we had a chance to touch and feel marine life.

There was even a family of racoons that were scavenging for food.

The photos below were taken in a 6 sided room at the end of the island. Apparently this building was built by Manuel Noriega for intimate gatherings. The building had incredible views from every direction.

The view across the bay was incredible. The skyline of Panama City is changing dramatically, and quite frequently with construction booming. Look at this skyline from across the bay.