Page 205 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

Parque NacioNal MariNo Golfo de chiriquí Chiriquí and Veraguas 203
distant islands to find white sand or crystalline waters. Note that when the wind drops 5
in the rainy season, sandflies can be a nuisance, so bring repellent.

Islas Parita and Paridita
Isla Parita, by far the largest land mass, together with the much smaller Isla Paridita,
are the only two inhabited islands on account of their fresh water sources; the rest are
generally small, low-lying sedimentary outcrops that enjoy a tropical savannah climate,
with beaches backed by coconut palms and manchineel trees, where the only visitors to
disturb the hermit crabs and iguanas are nesting hawksbill and leatherback turtles.

Boca Brava and beyond
Across the narrow water channel in front of Boca Chica’s jetty is Boca Brava, an
island hosting two contrasting lodgings, while on the mainland a couple of upmarket
fishing lodges and a small guesthouse do little to disturb the tranquillity of the place.
Snorkelling trips head out into the national park, to the gorgeous white-sand coves of
islas Bolaños and Gámez, but there is even better snorkelling and diving to be had
around the more remote (and pricier) Islas Secas, Islas Ladrones and Isla Montuoso.
The marine life is breathtaking, from sea horses and starfish to giant manta and eagle
rays, pods of dolphins, turtles, sharks and vast schools of fish swirling round volcanic
pinnacles, with humpback whales arriving to calve from June.
arriVaL and deParTure Parque naCiOnaL MarinO gOLFO de Chiriquí
BOCA CHICA By car Boca Chica is down a paved road, accessible in a
By bus and taxi There are no direct buses from David to saloon car; turn off from the Interamericana to
Boca Chica. Infrequent buses leave David for Horconcitos, Horconcitos, 36km east of David, and then take the
36km to the east (5am–5pm; approximately every 1hr middle road at the three-way fork in the village, coming
15min–1hr 30min; 45min), 5km south of the to a halt at the Boca Chica jetty 16km later. There are a
Interamericana on the road to Boca Chica. From there, you couple of places where you can leave your car safely
could catch the occasional (and unreliable) Boca Chica bus overnight ($2/night).
(12.30pm, 2.30pm & 4.30pm), take a taxi ($15 from the
Interamericana) or hitch a ride, paying the colectivo rate TO THE ISLANDS
($3). Returning, the daily bus leaves Boca Chica at 9.15am By boat Transfer to Hotel Boca Brava from Boca Chica is $3.
and 1.30pm-ish, and will drop you at the Interamericana. Cala Mia and Isla Paridita can organize a transfer, or you can
In the not entirely unexpected event of a no-show, you’ll usually find someone at the dock to take you; the going
need to negotiate a ride. rate is $60 return.
aCCOMMOdaTiOn
Bocas del Mar Boca Chica, signposted to the left 2km Wbocasdelmar.com. Gaze out at the wooded landscape
before entering the village T6395 8757, and glistening sea through the vast French windows in

PARQUE NACIONAL MARINO GOLFO DE CHIRIQUÍ ACTIVITIES
Snorkelling outings in the park can easily be arranged through the hotels, or you can hire the
services of one of the local boatmen. Trips usually visit islas Bolaños and Gámez and cost $100
for up to six people – bring a picnic. contact reliable boatmen Marcelo rios (T6209 6420) or
“Jaye” (T6214 6883) in Boca chica.
for scuba diving, the highly recommended carlos Spragge at Boca Brava divers (T775 3185
or T6600 6191, Wbocabravadivers.com) offers a one-day all-inclusive dive excursion ($250,
minimum four people; visibility best dec–april) and multiday dive trips sleeping on his dive boat.
alternatively, you can explore the area’s islands, inlets, caves and mangroves in a kayak;
most of the accommodation options that we review have kayaks available for guests (usually
to rent).

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