Isla Popa is the second-largest island of the Bocas del Toro archipelago and lies less than 200 m from the mainland. Although most of the island is low-lying—below 100 m elevation—the topography is rugged, with deep ravines and several small, permanent streams.

The vegetation is dominated by humid forests, while the coastal areas consist of mangrove swamps, sedge marshes and grass-covered hills. Extensive thickets cover the forest edges and the many bananas and plantain plantations.

The northern portion of the island has a resident human population scattered in small communities. The island actually has two separate morphs of Oophaga pumilio, but only the northern population was examined. The team reached the Isla Popa coast through a labyrinth of mangrove islands with the small motorboat from the basecamp ship that remained near Tierra Oscura.

After struggling through the dense mangroves and some degraded forest patches, the Exo Terra expedition team reached the primary forest on the island’s interior. Again they found Oophaga pumilio here near tree bases in or on the leaf litter. The frogs rarely climb and seem to prefer to hide under leaves or roots.

The main colouration is yellowish green with a bluish-white lateral and ventral colour. Both front and hind legs are blotched with dark spots. Some animals show blotching on the back and sides as well. The animals found on this island closely resemble the ones on Isla Loma Partida.