Jicanita - Coiba National Park
Jicanita: Little Jicarón in Coiba National Park
Jicanita is a tiny islet located just off the southern tip of Jicarón in Coiba National Park. Its name literally means “Little Jicarón,” an appropriate name for an island that was once connected to its much larger neighbor.
Separated from Jicarón over thousands of years by the relentless action of Pacific waves and storms, Jicanita is a fascinating example of how the islands of Coiba have been shaped by the forces of the ocean.
Born from the Pacific
Jicanita’s story begins with Jicarón. At some point in the island’s geological history, continued wave action gradually weakened and eroded the southern tip of Jicarón until a section of land was eventually separated from the main island.
Today, Jicanita sits just offshore as its own small islet, surrounded by the same powerful Pacific waters that helped create it.
The result is a landscape that shares many of the characteristics of Jicarón: rugged coastline, dense tropical vegetation and a distinctly wild Pacific setting.
A Wild Corner of Coiba
Jicanita is part of the larger network of islands and marine habitats protected by Coiba National Park. Although tiny compared with Coiba or Jicarón, its location at the southern edge of the archipelago places it within an exceptionally productive marine environment.
The waters surrounding the islands of Coiba are home to an extraordinary diversity of marine life. The UNESCO World Heritage property includes habitat for sharks, sea turtles, cetaceans and large pelagic fish, as well as hundreds of species of reef and open-water fish.
For visitors traveling through the southern part of the park, Jicanita is an impressive reminder that Coiba’s protected environment extends far beyond its largest islands.
Jicanita and Jicarón
Jicanita’s close relationship with Jicarón is what makes the little islet particularly interesting. The two islands are separated by only a short stretch of water, and their landscapes and surrounding marine environments remain closely connected.
Jicarón itself is the second-largest island in Coiba National Park, covering approximately 2,002 hectares. Its exposed southern coastline faces the Pacific and is characterized by steep terrain, rocky shores and secluded beaches.
Jicanita sits just beyond that coastline, forming a small companion to one of the wildest islands in the Coiba archipelago.
Exploring Jicanita
Jicanita is not a developed tourist destination, and there are no hotels, restaurants or visitor facilities on the islet. Like many of Coiba’s smaller islands, it is best experienced as part of a boat trip through the national park.
Its exposed location and the conditions around the southern islands mean that access can depend heavily on weather, waves and sea conditions. Local boat operators and guides are best positioned to determine whether a particular area can be safely visited.
Even when you don’t set foot on Jicanita, seeing the little island from the water provides a glimpse into the geological and natural history of the Coiba archipelago.
A Tiny Island with a Story to Tell
There are larger and more famous islands in Coiba National Park, but Jicanita is a reminder that the park’s story isn’t just about its biggest destinations.
This tiny island was shaped by the same Pacific forces that continue to reshape the coastline today. What was once part of Jicarón became an independent islet, surrounded by the protected waters of one of the most biologically important marine environments in the Eastern Pacific.
Jicanita may be small, but its story is a fascinating part of the natural history of Coiba National Park.
Discover the Islands of Coiba
Jicanita is just one of the many islands and islets scattered throughout Coiba National Park. Together, they create a remarkable mosaic of tropical forests, rocky shores, beaches, reefs and open Pacific waters.
Explore All the Islands & Reefs of Coiba National Park → | Discover Jicarón → | Explore Isla Coiba →
