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Gulf of Chiriqui is in Panama.

[edit] Regions

Panama's Gulf of Chiriqui is in the Province of Chiriqui off the Pacific coast of the Chiriqui lowlands.

[edit] Cities

Chiriqui's capital is David, the third largest city in Panama.

[edit] Other destinations

• Pedregal - port city ten minutes from David's Enrique Malek International Airport where you can boat to the many islands in the gulf.
• Boca Chica - small fishing town about 45 miles from David known as the departure point for world-class sport fishing.

[edit] Understand

This pristine Pacific gulf, so big it's almost a small sea, has the second largest reef in the Pacific and innumerable small islands in its many archipelagos.

[edit] Climate

Less than 9 degrees north of the equator, Panamá's temperatures are fairly consistent year round, with daytime temperatures in the 90s and nighttimes around 70. Like most of Panamá, Chiriquí’s lowlands have a rainy season from May through November and a dry season from December through April. During most of the rainy season, mornings and early afternoons are usually sunny while late afternoons and evenings have intermittent rainfall. Unlike most of the Caribbean, Mexico, and other Central American countries, Panamá does not experience hurricanes. The most popular time to travel to Panamá is December through March, when lack of humidity and nearly zero percent chance of rain make it ideal for travelers.

[edit] Talk

Nearly a third of Panamá residents speak English, partially due to the many North American expatriates living there and the growing tourism sector, but an attempt at communication in the country's native Spanish is always appreciated.

[edit] Get in

Fly into David from either Panama City 's Albrook Airport or Costa Rica's Juan Santa Maria. Aeroplas or Air Panama are recommended carriers. Once in David, a ten minute cab ride brings you to Pedregal, where you can board a boat to any of the island resorts in the area.

[edit] Get around

David's airport has several car rental companies, and traveling by car is the best way to get around.

[edit][add listing] See

Much of Panamá’s “bests” lie in the Pacific Ocean’s Gulf of Chiriquí. Numerous archipelagos star the gulf with islands and reefs, including Central America’s largest island, Coiba Island and Coiba National Marine Park. This area is home to the richest mangroves and rarest pelagic marine species in the world. Lonely Planet Panamá calls the Gulf an undisputed gem. It has a reputation as a world-class sport fishing destination, as evidenced by Saltwater Fisherman Magazine, which named it the best place in the world for catching the Black Marlin in their April 2009 issue. The Moon handbook on Panamá says the Gulf of Chiriquí is so large and species-rich some consider it a small sea. Well known among insiders for its boating, sport fishing, surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities, the unspoiled and largely undiscovered coastal and marine environments in the area rival the best on the Pacific coasts of Central America and Mexico.

• Boca Chica - Located 32 miles from David is the main jumping off point for the islands in the Gulf of Chiriquí, including Boca Brava and Isla Palenque. Boca Chica sits on the Pacific coast just North West of the islands that make up Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí. Long a little fishing village, Boca Chica moves to a slow tempo, housing tourists and big game fishermen in a few quaint, family-owned inns.
• Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí - The PNMGC consists of the archipelago, including the main island, Isla Parida. Established in 1994, the park is known for its green iguanas, humpback whales, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, multiple species of sea turtles and giant rays. Several tours visit the islands from resorts and tour companies.
• Coiba National Marine Park - Frequently referred to as the Galapagos Islands of Central America, Coiba National Marine Park is composed of the island of Coiba and 37 surrounding islands and islets, all of which are about 30 miles off the Panamánian coast. Isla Coiba is the largest island in Central America, and before it became a national park had a far graver history. From 1919 to 2004 this island was used as a penal colony and housed some of the most dangerous criminals in Panamá. Known as Panamá’s Devil’s Island, the penal colony was closed in 2004 by the Panamánian government, and turned into the largest marine park in Central America. UNESCO has named Coiba National Marine Park a World Heritage Site, identifying more than 800 marine species in the waters surrounding the park. 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, making it able 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. It is also the last refuge for a number of threatened terrestrial animals such as the crested eagle and several sub-species of howler monkey, agouti and possum. The park is gaining a fine reputation for being what the Moon travel book calls a “Garden of Eden” touting the second largest coral reef in the Pacific. Though its remote nature has helped to preserve this gem, it also serves to deter visitors. It is about an hour long boat ride from the coastal town of Santa Catalina, but most commonly travelers rely on tour operators to reach the island. This journey is negligible, however, compared to the things you’ll get to see and do on the island.

[edit] Itineraries

[edit][add listing] Do

• Fish for black marlin, sail fish, snapper, dorado and more
• Scuba or snorkel and see humpback whales, sea turtles and giant rays
• Hike a remote tropical island and see howler monkey families in the trees
• Swim on dozens of secluded beaches with white, tan or zebra striped sand
• Sail, kayak or motor boat the more than 30 islands
• Go horseback riding to the spectacular waterfall near Boca Chica

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are several small inns or hotels in the village of Boca Chica, including Gone Fishing Panamá and Seagull Cove Lodge. Plans to develop a large resort with a Jack Nicklaus golf course are underway at the nearby Playa Grande. A short boat ride away lies Cala Mia, which offers 11 bungalows on Boca Brava, as well as Hotel Boca Brava [[1]], more commonly known as Frank's Place to the many backpackers who stay there. Just past Boca Brava is Isla Palenque [[2]], where a luxury boutique eco-resort development plans to break ground early next year. There is camping available on the main island of the marine park, Parida, but most travelers stay on Boca Brava or Boca Chica.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Panamánian cuisine is a mix of several cultures. With Afro-Caribbean, French and Spanish influences, the dishes take on a complete life of their own. In the larger cities you can find all types of cuisine ranging from authentic Panamánian to sushi. Outside of David, the selection is largely Panamánian with bountiful seafood and beef due to the abundance of cattle farms and the fantastic fishing in the area. Most dishes are served with coconut rice and beans and a type of squash or other native vegetable.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out

Fly out of David to Panama City, less than an hour's flight.