Golfo de Chiriquí

Introducing Golfo de Chiriquí

The undisputed gem of the Chiriquí lowlands is the Golfo de Chiriquí, which is home to the Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí, a national marine park with an area of 14, 740 hectares protecting 25 islands, 19 coral reefs and abundant wildlife. The marine park also protects the 3000-hectare Isla Boca Brava, a lovely little island that is criss-crossed by hiking trails and is home to monkeys, nesting sea turtles and 280 recorded bird species. Whether you want to lie on the beach, snorkel clear waters or go wildlife-watching underneath the rainforest canopy, there’s something for everyone in this off-the-beaten-path destination.

A great place (and the only place) to stay on Boca Brava is at the Hotel y Restaurante Boca Brava (851 0017; www.hotelbocabrava.com/eng/index.php; r from US$17), which is comprised of four spacious cabins with private bathrooms and four rustic rooms with shared bathrooms. Owners Frank and Yadira Köhler speak English, German and Spanish. Reservations are not accepted for some rooms, but they’ll always find you a place to stay if you’re willing to sleep in a hammock. The breezy and reasonably priced restaurant-bar features a large selection of seafood (such as red snapper), and Frank and Yadira can arrange any number of excursions around the islands, involving snorkeling, whale-watching or just lounging on a gorgeous uninhabited island (prices range depending on the tour and the number of participants). From the restaurant, you’re a stone’s throw from the boundary of the national marine park.

To reach the island, take a bus to the Horconcitos turnoff, which is 39km east of David. You can also take any bus going by the turnoff (any bus heading from David to Panama City), as long as you tell the driver to drop you at the Horconcitos turnoff.

From the turnoff, take a pickup-truck taxi 13km to the fishing village of Boca Chica (US$15; one hour). At the Boca Chica dock, hire a water taxi (per person US$1) to take you 200m to the island.

With advance notice, the Purple House in David are able to arrange all of your ­transportation.

If you drive your own vehicle, you can safely leave it near the village dock, but the road between Horconcitos and Boca Chica is impassable save for 4WD vehicles.

Last updated: Sep 7, 2009