Golfo de Chiriqui or the Gulf of Chiriqui is a treasure of several small islands in the Pacific Ocean. There are dozens of uninhabited lands that are home to exotic tropical life. The gulf will offer you the best tropical coastal experience and impress you more than anything you could ever imagine. Complete with sandy white beaches, tropical rainforests, exotic flora and fauna, refreshing trails and the majestic Pacific waters, Golfo de Chiriqui will present you an experience of a lifetime.
The Gulf of Chiriqui is also known as the ‘Lost Coast’ as it was infested with pirates centuries ago. The once dark and dangerous waters are now a rich tropical abode housing native vegetation and life.
Get that bikini or bathing suit out, along with your sunglasses and sunscreen, because that is all you need to explore this fascinating land. If you love photography, then this is the best time to get that DSLR out and start clicking! The clear blue waters lined with palm and coconut trees, colorful wildlife and vegetation will make evergreen memories.
Boca Chica
Boca Chica serves as the takeoff point to the Gulf of Chiriqui National Park and several neighboring islands; it is a small fishing village with an alluring natural aura that is yet to be discovered by most tourists. Water activities are popular here, given the availability of diverse aquatic life. Snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and whale-watching are popular. Along the Playa Hermosa, the local beach, you can see a line of fondas (food joints), where you can try the native cuisine – fresh seafood.
Boca Brava
The island lies just 200 meters from Boca Chica and houses the Gulf of Chiriqui National Park. You have to get here from Boca Chica. The island offers a rich bounty of natural life, both terrestrial and aquatic. You can spot howler monkeys, over two hundred species of birds, and reptiles of every color possible. There are beautiful trails for you to walk through and explore the wilderness. Cala Mia Island Resort, Howlers Bay Hotel, and Hotel Restaurante Boca Brava are the best accommodations available here.
Isla Palenque
Isla Palenque is semi-attached to Boca Brava by a tombolo (sandy land bridge) and has an environment similar to Boca Brava. It lies near the border of Costa Rica. The island teems with untouched flora and fauna; howler monkeys, raccoons, anteaters, armadillos, iguanas, porcupines, frogs and parrots, herons, egrets, and pelicans are just some of the diverse life found here. Adding to this, there are several varieties of bromeliads, orchids, and climbers that create raw and wild natural vegetation. Adding to the rainforests, the island also holds large areas of mangrove and littoral forests. Currently, a resort is under construction on the island, and will soon become the first building there.
Islas Secas
Isla Secas means ‘dry islands’ and it is a private group of islands with an exclusive resort that offers a close-up experience with nature. The resort has room for just eighteen at a time and will make you feel cut off from the outer world. There are nine ‘casitas’ or villas, all offering scenic views of the ocean and located among the fourteen islands of this archipelago. All of the rooms are cocooned under nature’s canopy and offer a raw wilderness experience. The casitas are secluded, with outdoor pools and baths among the forests, painting a very romantic setting. Sharks, dolphins, and rays are regular visitors near the coast. The entire island is eco-friendly and solar-powered.
Isla Parida
The island is protected by the Chiriqui Marine Park. Isla Paridita, Isla Gomez, and Isla Bolanos are located very close to this island. You can visit all of these places by island-hopping from Boca Chica.
Isla Montuosa
It is the farthest island out in the gulf and is popular for spotting Galapagos seals.
Coiba National Park
Coiba National Park was formed in 1992 and it covers over 1000 square miles of forests, beaches, mangroves, islands, and marine life. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005 due to the rich biodiversity it encompasses. The park includes Coiba Island, which is the largest island in Central America, more than thirty smaller islands and surrounding waters. The island was initially a penal colony and had limited access to the public. Because of this, the natural vegetation, wildlife, and marine life have thrived for centuries, untouched by humans. This makes Coiba National Park one of the most exotic and biodiverse areas in the world.
Due to the unique and rich natural environment, the park is heavily protected and takes severe action against poaching, hunting, and other illegal activities that threaten the ecosystem. There are more than twenty different species of marine life; thirty species of shark, including hammerhead, guitar sharks, and whale sharks; two hundred species of birds and seven hundred species of fish. More than a thousand varieties of flora are found in the island’s rainforests, which is also home to exotic wildlife. Multiple species of bats, monkeys, reptiles, and insects that have been slowly disappearing from other parts of the world are found here in plenty.
Golfo de Chiriqui National Park
The Chiriqui Marine Park oversees twenty-five islands and nineteen coral reef. The islands are raw, rugged, and natural with weather-beaten rocks and jagged lines. It is a great place to go on snorkeling and scuba diving expeditions. The turquoise waters are perfect for observing the colorful underwater world from above. Sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, dolphins, and rays are found here, along with multiple varieties of fish. Adding to the aquatic ecosystems, the park also protects a vast stretch of mangroves and wetlands. Following the trails, you can spot green iguanas, howler monkeys, and herons. From the park, you can take a boat ride to the nearby islands like Isla San Jose, Isla Parida, and Isla Gamez which are uninhabited, secluded, and simply amazing.
Getting There
As mentioned, Boca Chica is the best jumping-off point from which to embark on your Pacific adventure. You will find frequent buses from David to Boca Chica that travel on the Interamericana.
Stay and Food
You will find a good number of options on some of the islands closer to the mainland. Here are some top stays for you:
Cala Mia Boutique Resort, Boca Brava
Thirteen beautiful bungalows that blend in with the beach setting; includes kayaking and snorkeling; offers restaurant, bar, and spa services.
Seagull Cove Resort
It includes an outdoor restaurant, well-furnished rooms, and splendid views.
El Regalo Resort
It has beautiful interiors, a restaurant-bar, an infinity pool, and a breathtaking view of the Pacific – what more do you want?!
You will have to eat in the restaurants of the hotels and resorts or else visit the fondas for native Panamanian cuisine. Some of the islands, like Boca Brava, have restaurants overlooking the bay that offer fresh and tasty seafood.
What’s Nearby?
