Coco Solo, Submarine base in Cativa, Panama
Coco Solo is a naval submarine base located near the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal, featuring specialized repair facilities and docking areas. The complex included drydocks, workshops, and administrative buildings spread across multiple sections to handle maintenance operations.
The United States Navy founded Coco Solo in 1918 as a submarine station to protect the Panama Canal, initially deploying five submarines to the location. The facility remained strategically important throughout World War II and the Cold War as a key naval outpost.
The base supported a tight-knit military community with families in dedicated housing and children attending schools on the grounds. This created a distinct way of life within the broader Panama Canal Zone for generations.
The base is situated in a tropical jungle environment where humidity and rainfall are highest during certain seasons. Access is restricted due to its military status, though certain historical areas may be viewable from designated points.
Senator John McCain was born in 1936 at the naval hospital located within the base complex. This historical connection makes the site notable for those interested in American political history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
