Coiba National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Coiba) is a park in the Gulf of Chiriqui in the Pacific West of Panama that is frequently called the "Galapagos Islands of Central America" for its abundance of rare species in the water and on land. Coiba is known for its superior diving.

The park consists of the island of Coiba (the largest island in Central America) and 37 surrounding islands and islets, all of which are about 50 km off the Panamanian coast in the Gulf of Chiriquí.

Coiba is home to various endemic species and subspecies. The Coiba spinetail (Cranioleuca dissita), a small bird, and the Coiba agouti (Dasyprocta coibae) only occur on Coiba island. The Coiba howler monkey (Alouatta coibensis) occurs on Coiba and in the Cerro Hoya National Park. Coiba island is also home of the last population of scarlet macaws (Ara macao) in Panama.

Coiba Island is a remote destination whose limited accessibility has helped preserve its rich biodiversity. This remoteness has also made some travelers think twice before visiting.

There are no roads and only a few trails on the island. To reach the trails, dive sites, and snorkeling areas from the only campsite, you’ll need a boat. So, you’ll have to hire one for the duration of your stay.

Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have proclaimed Coiba an unparalleled destination for discovering new species. Rachel Collin, a Smithsonian project coordinator said, "It's hard to imagine, while snorkeling around a tropical island that's so close to the United States, that half the animals you see are unknown to science.” Its unique location protects it from the damaging winds and other effects of El Niño, allowing it to sustain the uninterrupted evolution of new marine species including whale and tiger sharks, sperm whales, sea turtles, angel rays and giant schools of fish. Coiba is home to several endemic species and subspecies. The Coiba agouti is distinctly different from its counterpart on the main land. Whether the Howler monkey that occurs on Coiba is a separate species, subspecies or variety is still debated by taxonomists. The park is gaining a reputation for being what the Moon travel book calls a “Garden of Eden”; touting the second largest coral reef (Bahia Damas Reef) in the Pacific.

To get a good impression of Coiba, you should plan to stay there for at least two days. Snorkel at Granito de oro with White-tipped reef sharks and turtles, walk de Sendero de monos to get an impression of the forest on the island, visit the rehabilitated prison and the mangrove forest nearby and you will have an idea of what Coiba is about. On your way back, stop at Wahoo rock to see of the whale sharks are around. August is a good time to visit because during this period, humpback whales visit Coiba waters. The females give birth here and mother-calf pairs can be seen frequently.

Meals are usually included in the tours, but it's a good idea to bring extra snacks and water. You can try getting them in Santa Catalina, Boca Chica, Boca Brava, or at one of the resorts in the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park.