A total of 158 tourists of different nationalities aboard the Maltese-flagged cruise ship 'Hanseatic Inspiration' visited the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge, located in the district of Pedasí, province of Los Santos. The cruise ship is on an 11-day journey themed 'Panama Canal, Fall Repositioning', which began on November 8, 2025, in the city of Panama. Tourists went on wildlife sightings, observing species such as birds, iguanas, and different types of crabs. During their stay, visitors had the opportunity to tour the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge, where they learned about its ecological importance and the biodiversity it harbors. Charlie Batista Muñoz, head of the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge, expressed the staff's satisfaction at being chosen as a stop on the cruise itinerary. 'This is the largest cruise we have received to date, so this visit reaffirms the island's potential as a very important ecotourism attraction, in terms of the scenarios it offers, despite being a small space,' commented Batista Muñoz. The head of the Refuge also added that the visitors showed strict respect for all the rules of the protected area. Reception and Ecotourism Tourists from countries such as Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Romania were received by park rangers from the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP) of the Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE) and the administrative staff of the protected area. The reception was organized by local entrepreneurs, which generated a positive contribution to the economy of the Pedasí sector. The itinerary includes, after the visit to Isla Iguana, stops in various tourist areas of Costa Rica, Playa Muerto in Darién National Park, a transit through the Panama Canal, and the conclusion of the tour on November 19, 2025, in the province of Colón.
