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Voykit pocket guide · Panama
David
Use David as a 1‑night hub for Pacific West trips; day‑trip to Boquete or Volcán, then onward by bus or plane.
David is the provincial capital of Chiriquí, sits on the Pan‑American Highway and has an international airport. It offers basic hotels, restaurants and a taxi‑friendly centre, making it a practical base for a single night before heading to nearby attractions such as Boquete, Volcán or the Pacific beaches.
- Country
- Panama
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.
- Daily spend
- Budget $30–$45 excl. bed · Mid $45–$70 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Más Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police 104 · Fire/ambulance 103 · General emergency 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if not added.; Guides and boat crews: US$5–10 per person.; Hotel porters: US$1–2 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $1–$2 |
| Meal (local restaurant) | $3–$6 |
| Taxi (city centre to airport) | $3 |
| Inter‑city bus (David‑Panama City) | $15.25 |
| Luggage storage (bus terminal, 24 h) | $0.75 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DAV · Enrique Malek International Airport
- 5 km (3.1 mi) south of town centre3.1 mi (5 km) south of town centre
Typical fares
- David airport → city centre (taxi)
- ≈ $3 per person, 5 km (3.1 mi)≈ $3 per person, 3.1 mi (5 km)
- Bus David → Boquete
- ≈ $1.75 per person, 1 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis from the centre cost ≤ $3 per person to the airport. Local “Coaster” buses run along the Interamericana; flag them down. Car rentals are available but traffic can be aggressive.
See and do
Known for
- Enrique Malek International Airport
- Bus hub for Pacific West
- Casinos and nightlife
- Gateway to Boquete and Volcán
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Boquete | Local bus from David terminal, about 1 h, $1.75 per person | ≈ 1 h |
| Volcán Barú | Taxi or shared shuttle, about 1 h, $15–$20 total | ≈ 1 h |
| Boca Chica (Pacific beach) | Local bus or taxi, ~45 min, $2–$5 | ≈ 1 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Toledo
- Near bus terminal, simple rooms, free Wi‑Fi
- Bambu Hostel
- Backpacker vibe, pool and bar, central
- City Plaza Hotel & Suites
- Larger hotel, two restaurants, central
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑KUL‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑SEE‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN‑to KWEHS‑ta |
| Where is the bus terminal? | ¿Dónde está la terminal de buses?DON‑de es‑TA la ter‑mee‑NAL de BOO‑ses |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; avoid: Skipping greetings in shops
- Dress: Long trousers in offices and churches; avoid: Beachwear in the city
- Guna communities: Ask before photos, pay the fee; avoid: Walking into homes or ceremonies
Scams and watch-outs
- Road signs use "Alto" for stop; drive defensively.
- Night‑time express buses may be less comfortable; check schedules.
- Casinos and nightclubs charge cover fees; ask total before ordering.
David is generally safe for tourists; stay alert on busy roads and keep belongings secure on buses.
One and two days
No timed day plan for David yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Enrique Malek International Airport
- Bus hub for Pacific West
- Casinos and nightlife
- Gateway to Boquete and Volcán
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: David (Panama), revision 5297918 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5297918
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/david-panama). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.