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Elevated view of wooded islands in the Gulf of Chiriquí in warm light.

Gulf of Chiriquí
and Boca Chica

Marine-park islands, humpback whales from July to October and long beaches near David

Before you go, understand the place.

The Gulf of Chiriquí covers Panama's western Pacific coast. Its core is the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park, created in 1994: 14,740 hectares, about 90% of it sea, with 44 islands, islets and cays. It protects coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, and its 2011 management plan allows artisanal fishing and nature tourism.

By Asesordeviaje.com Editorial Team · updated

Themed guides

Places grouped by theme, to plan your day.

  • Islands of the marine park

    The islands are visited by boat from Boca Chica on day tours. They have no services: bring water, food and shade. The park fee is paid in MiAmbiente's system.

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  • From Boca Chica

    Boca Chica is the base for the gulf: island, whale, snorkel and fishing tours leave from its pier. Boca Brava is a few minutes away by boat.

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  • Whales and turtles

    Humpback whales arrive from July to October, and in the same months turtles nest on the mainland beaches. Keep your distance and follow MiAmbiente's rules.

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  • Mainland beaches

    Long beaches reached by road from David. They face the open Pacific: rip currents occur and SINAPROC carried out rescues in 2026.

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  • Seasonal or restricted

    Places and activities that depend on the season, new rules or owners' permission. Check the listing before booking.

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Plan your visit

The practical information you need to plan your visit

Essentials and suggested itinerary

Best time to go
On the Pacific side the dry season runs from December to April and the rainy season from May to November; September and October are the wettest months, with a drier 'veranillo' spell between July and August (IMHPA). The rains can start in April and last until December, and October and November can bring the heaviest. Humpback whales: July to October (MiAmbiente, 2026); Visit Panama gives July to September and a local operator names August and September as peak months. From December to March or April only a few North Pacific whales arrive. Turtles at La Barqueta and Las Lajas: nesting mostly from July to December.
Getting there
By air: Copa flies from Tocumen (PTY) to David (DAV), and Air Panama from Marcos A. Gelabert airport (Albrook); Enrique Malek airport is 4 km from central David. Flight time is unconfirmed. By bus: Albrook Terminal to David is about 440 km and 6–7 hours (Padafront, Expreso Panamá and others), with departures from morning to night. By car: Visit Panama estimates about 6 hours from Panama City to Boca Chica. David to Boca Chica: 1 hour according to Visit Panama and 1 h 30 min according to Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí, via the Pan-American Highway and the Horconcitos turnoff. Buses to Boca Chica are limited and Visit Panama advises arranging transport in advance; Wikivoyage describes a bus from David to the Boca Chica turnoff, then a minibus or taxi to the pier. David to Playa Las Lajas: about 90 km and 1 h 30 min by car (1 h 45 min by bus). David to La Barqueta: 30 km, 40–45 min.
  1. Day tour to Bolaños, Gámez and Parida islands from Boca Chica.
  2. Humpback whales with calves from July to October, under MiAmbiente distance rules.
  3. Trails and howler monkeys on Isla Boca Brava, minutes from Boca Chica.
  4. Snorkeling in the waters of Islas Secas.
  5. Olive ridley turtles at the La Barqueta refuge, mostly from July to December.
  6. Playa Las Lajas, more than 14 km of sand on the mainland.

Suggested itinerary

  1. Day 1Fly from Panama City to David (Copa from Tocumen or Air Panama from Albrook) or take the 6–7 hour bus from Albrook. Transfer to Boca Chica via Horconcitos (1–1.5 hours); buy supplies in Horconcitos. Pay the park fee online (B/.10 foreign adult) and book your tour. In the afternoon, take a short boat ride to Isla Boca Brava and walk its trails.
  2. Day 2Three-island tour from the Boca Chica pier (about 9:30–15:30): Bolaños, Gámez and Parida, with snorkeling and beach time. From July to October, choose the departure that includes whale watching. Bring water, food, sunscreen and a trash bag.
  3. Day 3Snorkeling at Islas Secas (8:00–15:00) or a 4-hour inshore fishing trip. On the way back to David, detour to Playa La Barqueta (40–45 min from David); from July to December, ask at the refuge about turtle nesting.

Where to stay

Boca Chica (village)
Base for island, whale and fishing tours; hotels and hostels at several price points near the pier.
Isla Boca Brava
Island lodging, from family hostels to eco-lodges with their own trails; a few minutes away by boat.
Playa Las Lajas
Beachfront hotels, family lodgings and eco-cabins on a long mainland beach.
Playa La Barqueta
Beachfront hotel with pool and restaurant, 40–45 minutes from David and close to the turtle refuge.
David
City with the airport and bus terminal; handy if you arrive late or take a boat from Puerto Pedregal.

Tips and precautions

  1. Pay the park fee at reservasap.miambiente.gob.pa (B/.10 foreign adult, B/.4 Panamanian adult, 2026) and ask your operator whether it is already included.
  2. The islands have no toilets, restaurants or water: bring food, water, sunscreen, repellent and a bag for your trash.
  3. Buy supplies before you arrive: Horconcitos has the last large supermarket before Boca Chica.
  4. Book tours ahead in high season and on holidays; shared trips do not run every day.
  5. Executive Decree 9 of 2026 provides for ARAP's recreational sport-fishing card for anyone over 12 from 10 December 2026. On an authorised sport-fishing tour, the clients on board are covered for that trip by the captain's valid tourist card.

Safety and precautions

  • Wear a life jacket on every boat, as MiAmbiente advises. Canada warns that tour operators may not follow international standards: for diving, choose an established, reputable company with insurance, and make sure your travel insurance covers the activity.
  • Rip currents: the UK warns that some Pacific and Caribbean beaches have strong currents and rarely any warning signs; Canada notes that beaches are usually not supervised by lifeguards. During the Guardianes 2026 operation, SINAPROC reported rescuing swimmers at La Barqueta and Las Lajas, and a tourist drowned at Las Lajas in March 2026 (Crítica, 17 March 2026).
  • SINAPROC recommends swimming in supervised areas and watching children and older adults. As a precaution, do not enter the sea after drinking alcohol.
  • When SINAPROC issues a strong-surf warning, avoid swimming in open sea and ask your operator whether the boat trip will still run.
  • Whales: boats must stay at least 250 m away, and swimming, diving or kayaking next to them is banned. MiAmbiente states (2025) that fines depend on the severity of the offence and double for repeat offences; the Maritime Authority may add further sanctions.
  • Roads: the UK and Canada report frequent accidents and poorly lit roads; avoid driving to Boca Chica or the beaches at night.
  • Emergencies: 911.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the entry fee for the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park?

In MiAmbiente's payment system (2026): B/.10 foreign adult, B/.4 Panamanian adult, B/.2 students and seniors; under-12s free. Camping costs B/.20 (foreign) or B/.9 (Panamanian). The boat tour is paid separately: from US$30 per person on a shared trip.

When can I see whales?

From July to October, according to MiAmbiente; a local operator names August and September as the months with the most sightings. From December to March or April only a few North Pacific whales arrive. Operators do not guarantee sightings.

How do I get to Boca Chica without a car?

Bus service from David to Boca Chica is limited, and Visit Panama recommends arranging transport in advance. Wikivoyage describes another option: a bus from the David terminal to the Boca Chica turnoff, then a minibus or taxi to the pier via Horconcitos.

Can I stay overnight on the park islands?

Camping is allowed on Isla Parida with prior permission; MiAmbiente's system charges B/.20 to foreign adults. Gámez and Bolaños have no lodging. To sleep nearby, stay in Boca Chica or on Isla Boca Brava.

Can I visit Islas Secas?

The islands are private and have a resort for guests. Snorkel tours in their waters run from Boca Chica: US$55 on a shared trip or US$250 private (operators, 2026).

Do I need a fishing permit?

Executive Decree 9 of 2026 provides that, from 10 December 2026, anyone over 12 will need ARAP's recreational sport-fishing card; on an authorised sport-fishing tour, the clients on board are covered for that trip by the captain's valid tourist card. Executive Decree 10 makes catch-and-release the general rule for marlin and sailfish, with specific legal exceptions. Fishing tournaments and spearfishing are banned in the marine park, and the card or licence does not allow fishing where the area's rules restrict it.

Is it safe to swim at Las Lajas and La Barqueta?

They are open beaches with rip currents on some days: SINAPROC reported rescues at both during the Guardianes 2026 operation. Swim near lifeguards when present and stay out of the water during strong-surf warnings.

Sources

Information checked in . Prices, hours and rules change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.

  1. Sistema de Reserva de Áreas Protegidas – MiAmbiente2026
  2. Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí: 32 años resguardando un santuario de vida – MiAmbiente2026
  3. Hasta $6.000 de multa por poner en riesgo a las ballenas en Panamá – Infobae2026
  4. SINAPROC fortalece la seguridad en Chiriquí con el Operativo Guardianes 2026 – MINGOB2026
  5. Panamá fortalece la pesca deportiva y refuerza la protección de los peces vela y marlines – La Prensa2026
  6. Régimen pluviométrico de Panamá – IMHPA2026
  7. Visit the Gulf of Chiriqui – Visit Panama (ATP)2026
  8. Panama travel advice: safety and security – UK FCDO2026
  9. Travel advice and advisories for Panama – Government of Canada2026
  10. Flights from Panama (PTY) to David (DAV) – Copa Airlines2026
  11. Enrique Malek International Airport – Wikipedia2026
  12. Bus Panama City to David – Spring Bus2026
  13. Playa Las Lajas – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí2025
  14. Playa La Barqueta – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí2025
  15. Boca Chica – Wikivoyage2026
  16. Las tortugas marinas vuelven a depositar sus huevos en las playas panameñas – Infobae2026
  17. Whale Watching Boca Chica Guide 2026 – Boca Brava Adventures2026
  18. Comunicado: avistamiento de cetáceos (DM-0144-2022) – MiAmbiente, 25 ago. 20252025
  19. MiAmbiente orienta y capacita a tour operadores para el respeto a las ballenas – 4 sep. 20252025
  20. Decreto Ejecutivo n.º 9 de 10 de junio de 2026 (pesca deportiva) – ARAP / Gaceta Oficial 30543-E2026
  21. Decreto Ejecutivo n.º 10 de 10 de junio de 2026 (peces pico) – ARAP / Gaceta Oficial 30543-E2026
  22. Turista estadounidense fallece ahogada en Playa Las Lajas – Crítica (17 mar. 2026)2026

Everything you can do

Closed or restricted places are included and flagged, so you know what to expect.

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Sea, beach and reef · 5

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