Fourteen youth, with common interests in marine biodiversity and climate change, developed tourist guides for the Coiba National Park in Panama, in the framework of the World Heritage Youth Project on Marine Biodiversity and Climate Change that was organized from 25th to 29th of January 2016 in Panama by the World Heritage Centre in cooperation with MarViva Foundation.
The creation of tourist guides was initiated by the participants during the activities carried out under the youth project. Afterwards, MarViva Foundation engaged in consolidation, translation and digitization of the tourist guides. With the collaboration of the Ministry of Environment of Panama and the University of Panama, the guides were officially produced and printed in English and Spanish.
The tourist guides offer two different tour options on the Coiba Island – the Santa Cruz Trail and the Coiba’s Treasures Tour. The Santa Cruz Trail guide includes a detailed description of the length of the trail, hike options, noteworthy species that can be observed and caution measures. The Coiba’s Treasures Tour guide, includes tour elements that incorporate visits to Isla Granito de Oro (Golden Nugget Island), Sendero Los Monos (Monkey Trail), the former penal colony site known as Estación Central (Central Station), and scenic boat rides. Besides the information and photos of the local flora and fauna, the guides give directions on how visitors can explore the Coiba’s treasures in a responsible and safe way, and in harmony with the beautiful natural environment around.
The World Heritage Youth Project on Marine Biodiversity & Climate Change aimed to strengthen links between Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Central American countries (CAM) by empowering young people and their organizations as well as improving their capacity for planning World Heritage conservation projects.
Panama