David

Named after King David from the Bible, San Jose de David is Panama’s second-largest city. It is situated in the western part of the country and is the capital of the Chiriquí Province. While David may lack the colonial charm offered by smaller towns in Panama, it is a fast-growing city that plays an important role in transportation and commerce. The location of David makes it a convenient stop to connect to other major places. It is situated between San Jose and Panama City, and connects the country to neighboring Costa Rica. Due to this, David is also known as the ‘Camino Real’ or ‘Royal Trail’.

David is an industrial and commercial city that produces supplies for the entire country. It has several manufacturing units for machinery and communications while also dealing with agriculture and cattle farming. Through David, most of the imports and exports between Panama and Costa Rica are handled.

Though it is a large city, David does not offer many attractions for tourists. However, it is the perfect stop to explore western Panama. It is located close to the border of Costa Rica and is surrounded by mountains, beaches and rain forests. There is no shortage of supplies here; David’s numerous shopping options, hospitals, restaurants, stays and other facilities will equip you with everything you need while visiting this region.

History

David was founded by Francisco de Gama in 1602. However, the name ‘David’ was given by the local natives. The current location of Bolivar Park was where the city was located initially. It was divided into three regions – a higher area for the Spanish and two lower areas for the natives. The Bolivar Park location saw the first battle of the Thousand Days War in 1900 between the liberals and conservatives. The city’s airport, then known as David Field, served as an important base for the U.S. Army during World War II.

Parque Cervantes

Parque Cervantes is the city’s central plaza where you will find several stores, restaurants, and street vendors. The plaza is filled with people and you can just sit there and observe the life of the locals. It is also one of the best places to stop for food, given its multiple options.

Barrio Bolivar

In this heavily industrialized city, Barrio Bolivar stands apart by retaining its colonial charm. The beautiful villas here were once the residences of the Spanish colonials. It is situated a few blocks from the town center. In this area, you can also find a small museum and the Cathedral San Jose de David.

Iglesia de la Sagrada Familia

The Church of Sacred Heart is located at the Parque Cervantes and dates back to the nineteenth century. Along with the Barrio Bolivar, it is one of the leftovers from the Spanish invasion. The church has a typical wooden interior that is reflective of that era. Though it is located in a busy and noisy neighborhood, you can step in for a moment of spiritual peace.

Carta Veija Rum Factory

The factory is situated 10 km from the city center and you will have to take a taxi there. On weekdays, you can have a free tour of the factory. Remember to contact them beforehand to check for times and book a tour. Make sure you can handle rum before you taste it! You can also buy a few bottles of Caribbean rum to enjoy during the trip.

Parque Arqueologico Petroglifo El Nancito

The archaeological site situated in El Nancito is one of the largest on the eastern side of Panama. There are seventeen petroglyphs dating back to the pre-Hispanic era distributed throughout the site. These are volcanic rocks with inscriptions that have yet to be deciphered. The symbols and geometric shapes are believed to represent sacred rites, stars, or hunting routes.

Pedregal Marina

Pedregal Marina is the main port of David and functions as a center for trade as well as tourism. While it plays a major role in export and import relations with Costa Rica, it is also the embarking point for tourist ships and cruises in the Chiriquí Gulf. While you are here, you can also spot private yachts and vessels docked at the port. The Pedregal Marina is also popular for fishing.

Cruising along the coast

From the Pedregal Marina, there are several cruise lines that offer various packages to explore the ‘Lost Coast’ of Panama. The coast stretches from Coiba Island in the eastern part of Panama to the Costa Rican border in the west. You can explore the dozens of islands and also experience gold-class snorkeling, scuba diving, and sportfishing.

The coast has rich marine life and you can easily spot whales and dolphins as the waters here are clear and blue. You can also visit Coiba National Park on the other end of the coast as it is home to exotic sea life and magnificent corals. Gulf of Chiriquí National Park and National Wildlife Reserve – La Barqueta Beach are other spots rich in underwater life in this region.

Los Pozos de Caldera

One of the best day trips from David is to the Los Pozos de Caldera, which is a set of four hot springs with varying temperatures surrounded by rocks and trees. The largest spring has room for 5-6 people and the smallest one will seat just yourself. If you bring a guide along, you can take a hike into the forest that crosses rivers and leads you to a series of waterfalls. The overall experience is very picturesque and refreshing, but it can be annoying if too many people are waiting to take a dip in the springs.

Feria Internacional de David

The Chiriquí Province is the most fertile land in Panama, and as such, has a huge agricultural sector. An annual fair is hosted by the city that attracts traders and buyers from all parts of Latin America. It is a 10-day long fair that takes place in March. Apart from agriculture and cattle-related stalls, it is also a hub for commerce and culture. Traditional folk dances are performed.

Getting There

By air: You can easily access David by air. The Enrique Malek International Airport has regular flights to and from Panama City and San Jose, Costa Rica as well.

By bus: David’s bus terminal is barely a kilometer away from the city center and has regular bus routes to nearby cities and towns as well as to Costa Rica. It takes 45 minutes by bus to reach Paso Canoas, the border of Costa Rica. If you don’t mind a long journey, you can also reach David by bus from Panama City, which takes 7–8 hours.

Stay

The city offers a large number of stays for all kinds of budgets. Here are some recommended places to check out. You can find the hotels along Calle Central and the hostels towards the west.

Hostel: Bambu Hostel; Purple House
Hotel: Hotel Toledo, Gran Hotel Nacional, Hotel Castilla

Food

David has no shortage of food options, from global chains like KFC, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut to national and local favorites, a diverse range of cuisine including Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, and Chinese. You can find everything here.

Chobeca’s Burgers: The name can be misleading as the place is not related to burgers at all. It specializes in Panamanian cuisine and is a must-try.
McPato: McPato is a local version of McDonald’s and has a similar fast-food menu.
MultiCafe: A colorful and cheap café located downtown that serves excellent pasta, beef, and breakfast.
Restaurante El Fogon: The place has a vibrant interior with splashes of red, yellow, and orange and is famous for its seafood and meat.