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

Panama · Gulf of Chiriquí and Boca Chica

Mainland beaches

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

3 places

  1. 1

    BeachOpen

    Playa Las Lajas

    San Félix district, east of David; turnoff from the Pan-American Highway at San Félix.37.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Long grey-sand mainland beach with moderate surf and beachfront lodging. It is also a sea turtle nesting beach.

    Source: Playa Las Lajas – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · 2025 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Time needed
    About 90 km and 1 h 30 min by car from David; by bus from the David terminal, about 1 h 45 min.

    Tip: Some guides say it has no dangerous currents, but SINAPROC carried out rescues here in 2026 and a tourist drowned in March 2026 during a strong-surf warning. Swim near lifeguards when present and do not enter the sea after drinking alcohol. Turtles nest mostly from July to December.

    Sources: Playa Las Lajas – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · SINAPROC fortalece la seguridad en Chiriquí con el Operativo Guardianes 2026 – MINGOB · American Tourist Drowns at Las Lajas Beach – Newsroom Panama · Las tortugas marinas vuelven a depositar sus huevos en las playas panameñas – Infobae · Las Lajas, beaches and mangroves – My Guide Panama

  2. 2

    BeachOpen

    Playa La Barqueta

    Alanje district, about 30 km south of David.39.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Beach with about 18 km of unbroken coastline, fringed by mangroves, near David. Good for walks and birdwatching; swimming needs care because of rip currents.

    Source: Playa La Barqueta – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Time needed
    40–45 min by car from David. By public transport: bus or minivan from the David terminal to Alanje, then a taxi.

    Tip: In the 2026 dry season SINAPROC rescued three people caught in rip currents here. There is little natural shade: bring an umbrella and water.

    Nearby: Playa La Barqueta Agrícola Wildlife Refuge (6.8 km)

    Sources: Playa La Barqueta – Circuito Golfo de Chiriquí · SINAPROC fortalece la seguridad en Chiriquí con el Operativo Guardianes 2026 – MINGOB

  3. 3

    WildlifeOpen

    Playa La Barqueta Agrícola Wildlife Refuge

    Guarumal, Alanje district, on the Playa La Barqueta coast.32.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    B/.5
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    MiAmbiente refuge on the Alanje coast where olive ridley turtles nest. Since 2020 rangers have patrolled the beach, moved nests to a hatchery and released the hatchlings.

    Source: Sistema de Reserva de Áreas Protegidas – MiAmbiente · 2026 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Admission in MiAmbiente's system (2026): foreign adult B/.5; Panamanian adult B/.2; student B/.1; senior B/.1; under-12s free.
    Booking
    Entry is sold at reservasap.miambiente.gob.pa. Whether it is also charged on site is not confirmed by the official source at the time of review.

    Tip: Turtles nest mostly from July to December; MiAmbiente releases hatchlings between September and November. Dogs and vehicles on the beach threaten the nests: leave them behind.

    Nearby: Playa La Barqueta (6.8 km) · Puerto Pedregal (David) (11.8 km)

    Sources: Sistema de Reserva de Áreas Protegidas – MiAmbiente · Conservación y educación se fortalecen en jornada de liberación de tortugas marinas en La Barqueta – MiAmbiente · Conservación en acción en el Refugio Playa La Barqueta Agrícola – MiAmbiente · En el RVSP La Barqueta se preparan para el desove de tortugas marinas – MiAmbiente · Las tortugas marinas vuelven a depositar sus huevos en las playas panameñas – Infobae

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