Fees · Destination Guide
Pacific reefs, pelagic possibility, and island wilderness by day boat from Santa Catalina.
Key fee: Coiba National Park foreign adult admission
B/.20 / USD $20 commonly published; verify live 2026 checkout
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Coiba is an administered protected area, not an open public island. A listed day admission is commonly US$20/B/.20 for foreign visitors and US$5/B/.5 for Panamanian citizens or residents, as published by multiple operators and regional conservation reference sources; reconfirm the applicable category and final amount inside MiAmbiente's active booking portal. Fees are separate from many boat and scuba fares. A serious workflow conflict remains: the 2026 park portal allows online payment, but operator pages still say pay cash at their shop. Obtain explicit written guidance and proof of payment, not two duplicate payments. Older MiAmbiente visitor guidance says boats report passenger and vessel details at Gambute and follow ranger instructions. The online portal offers admission only for Coiba, not camping. No separate mandatory Santa Catalina tourism levy was established by reviewed primary sources.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coiba National Park foreign adult admission | B/.20 / USD $20 commonly published; verify live 2026 checkout Per visitor, per park day; verify exceptions and category | Non-resident foreign park visitors | Where to pay | Consistently listed on Panama Dive Center and Diving Coiba; confirm current authority tariff and whether boat quote includes it. Official payment portal differs from some cash instructions. |
| Coiba National Park Panamanian/resident admission | B/.5 / USD $5 commonly published; verify live 2026 checkout Per visitor, per park day; qualifying proof required | Panamanian citizens and qualifying Panama residents | Where to pay | Operator-listed resident tariff; do not assume it applies to foreign tourists or nonresident property owners. Bring official nationality/residency document. Tariff reference |
| Coiba youth, student and senior concessions | Varies by eligibility; do not assume a discount without the portal result Per eligible visitor; subject to documentation and authority tariff | Eligible children, students and older visitors | Where to pay | Some operator pages say children 12 or under enter free; age rules and special concessions should be confirmed in the official admission checkout. A tour seat may still be charged even when park entry is waived. |
| Two-tank guided scuba boat, one operator example | USD $155 published by Panama Dive Center; admission extra Full-day operator trip; illustrative listing, availability and inclusions subject to confirmation | Certified scuba guests meeting that operator's requirements | Where to pay | Published package includes standard equipment, computer, meal, water and fruit. Third dive advertised at USD $185 total but may be cancelled by rain or sea state. Another operator publishes USD $160 for a Coiba two-dive day. |
| Coiba guided snorkeling, one operator example | From USD $75 per person in the current direct operator listing; park entry extra Full-day advertised service, subject to boat and park clearance | Snorkel guests and nondivers | Where to pay | Snorkel Coiba lists $75 for a group snorkeling day with equipment, flotation, local guide and lunch, excluding park entry. Clarify taxes, child policy, weather cancellation and payment of admission. |
| Coiba freediving training, one provider example | USD $375 for the published introductory certification course; request current coaching quotes separately Course duration or requested coaching day; instructor confirmation required | Freediving students and qualified participants | Where to pay | The two-day Apnea Total Freediver course lists $375 including rental gear, certification and course materials. Ask separately about current coaching availability and park admission. |
| Park reservations, registration and boat permissions | Administrative requirements; any boat or special service charges to be verified Before departure, per operator/visit/route as required | All Coiba park trips, vessel operators and visiting parties | Where to pay | Older MiAmbiente notice described advance notice, passenger lists and first check-in at Gambute; 2026 digital reservation may change the procedure. Ask the operator to confirm current boat permissions, authorized visitor stops, admissible time window and evidence of park admission. |
| Camping or overnight at Coiba headquarters | Not for sale as an ordinary tourist option in the current official portal Restricted during Gambute reconstruction | Coiba park overnight visitors | Where to pay | The online park portal says Coiba has admission only, not camping; the April 2026 notice says overnight stays at headquarters are prohibited during works. Do not use historic rates to sell overnight visits. |
Fee
Per visitor, per park day; verify exceptions and category
Consistently listed on Panama Dive Center and Diving Coiba; confirm current authority tariff and whether boat quote includes it. Official payment portal differs from some cash instructions.
Per visitor, per park day; qualifying proof required
Operator-listed resident tariff; do not assume it applies to foreign tourists or nonresident property owners. Bring official nationality/residency document. Tariff reference
Per eligible visitor; subject to documentation and authority tariff
Some operator pages say children 12 or under enter free; age rules and special concessions should be confirmed in the official admission checkout. A tour seat may still be charged even when park entry is waived.
Full-day operator trip; illustrative listing, availability and inclusions subject to confirmation
Published package includes standard equipment, computer, meal, water and fruit. Third dive advertised at USD $185 total but may be cancelled by rain or sea state. Another operator publishes USD $160 for a Coiba two-dive day.
Full-day advertised service, subject to boat and park clearance
Snorkel Coiba lists $75 for a group snorkeling day with equipment, flotation, local guide and lunch, excluding park entry. Clarify taxes, child policy, weather cancellation and payment of admission.
Course duration or requested coaching day; instructor confirmation required
The two-day Apnea Total Freediver course lists $375 including rental gear, certification and course materials. Ask separately about current coaching availability and park admission.
Before departure, per operator/visit/route as required
Older MiAmbiente notice described advance notice, passenger lists and first check-in at Gambute; 2026 digital reservation may change the procedure. Ask the operator to confirm current boat permissions, authorized visitor stops, admissible time window and evidence of park admission.
Restricted during Gambute reconstruction
The online park portal says Coiba has admission only, not camping; the April 2026 notice says overnight stays at headquarters are prohibited during works. Do not use historic rates to sell overnight visits.