The history of Punta Culebra dates to the Spanish conquest, a time when the islands of Perico, Naos, and Flamenco were used as a harbor for old Panama City.  Over time, fishermen used this are, along with ships for loading.  Other purposes that Culebra served as over the years was as a quarantine station, a camping area, a defense station for the Panama Canal, and even the site of the first marine investigation.  While the Canal was being built, these islands worked with Isthmus along a 1.25 million cubic yard strip that consisted of rocks and soil.  The filling of this area was to stop currents from the Bay of Panama, along with sedimentation from the Canal’s entrance. 

Then in 1915 until the time of World War II, these three islands formed a road called Calzada de Amador to help defend and protect the Panama Canal.  At Culebra a railroad was used to move military equipment, which was then stored at the air raid shelter located at the site.  In addition, 15-inch machine guns were set around the perimeter as added protection. 

The structure was built as a hexagon, which today, displays a number of exhibits.  However, from the start of the 20^th century until 1989, this structure was a defense site that fell under Panamanian or the United States control.  During this time, the access into the area was restricted with the rocky coastline and beaches also protected from anyone harvesting or fishing.  Interestingly, scientists over recent years have used this very area for the study of ecology, specific to organisms populating the beaches and rocky intertidal zones. 

Then in 1988, a special educational program was started at the Naos Marine Laboratory in which students would be taught about marine science that came from research.  The result was schools around the country and the United States Department of Defense education system coming forward with interest.  By 1992, the Republic of Panama’s government put a law in place called Law No. 10.  With this, a strategy was created for both conservation and development of natural resources for this area. 

The following year, the first 11 educational guides for the Marine Science Environmental Education Program were trained by scientific marine personnel.  Because of this, this destination is among the most popular for schoolchildren of all ages, vacationers, and tourists who love to learn.  Then in 1995, exhibits were remodeled with the goal of assisting visitors in interpreting coastal marine environment, as well as military history and dry forest of this area.  Since that time, we see additional exhibits and programs being implemented in celebration and honor of Punta Culebra and its rich history.

While at Culebra, you can also enjoy the outdoors.  For instance, two trails will guide you through a tropical dry forest and ecosystem of the Pacific side of Central America.  Living in this forest are iguanas, sloth, armadillos, birds, and other living creatures to enjoy.  Then, the beach and rocky shore have a white patch of mangrove where you can see a number of marine life during times of low tide.  Finally, you can visit a large pond where sea turtles live, which have been threatened by humans.