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Voykit pocket guide · Panama
Isla Palenque
Stay 2 nights to enjoy the resort, beaches and guided tours; day‑trip possible but limited activities.
Isla Palenque is a private eco‑resort island in the Gulf of Chiriquí. With 10 rooms, two restaurants (guests‑only), nature trails and beach excursions, a 2‑night stay lets you sample most activities without rushing.
- Country
- Panama
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season, 90 °F day / 70 °F night)
- Avoid
- May–Nov (rainy season)
- Stay
- 2 nights
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 $80–120 excl. lodging · Mid $120–200 excl. lodging · High $200+ excl. lodging (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 |
|---|---|
| Boat transfer Boca Chica → Isla Palenque | $50–70 |
| Snorkeling gear rental | $15–25 |
| Guided nature walk | $30–45 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DAV · Enrique Malek Airport (David)
- 1 h car to Boca Chica, then 15 min boat
Typical fares
- Boca Chica → Isla Palenque (boat)
- about $60 round‑trip, 15 min (check)
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
Walk the 3 km (1.9 mi) of island roads or use resort‑run shuttles on request; trails connect beaches and viewpoints.Walk the 1.9 mi (3 km) of island roads or use resort‑run shuttles on request; trails connect beaches and viewpoints.
See and do
Known for
- 200‑acre nature preserve
- guided snorkeling and fishing trips
- beachfront casitas
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Coiba National Marine Park | Resort‑organized boat, about 1 h each way | ≈2 h total |
| Islas Secas | Resort boat, 45 min each way | ≈1.5 h total |
Sleep
- The Resort at Isla Palenque
- Boutique eco‑resort, 10 rooms, beachfront casitas $770–950/night double occupancy; Ocean Villa $1,300/night
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Holaola |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?¿Dónde está el baño? |
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
- Boat transfer from Boca Chica can be delayed by weather; check schedule.
- Resort restaurants are guests‑only; plan meals accordingly.
The island is low‑risk; main concerns are marine conditions and limited medical facilities – carry a basic first‑aid kit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Isla Palenque yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- 200‑acre nature preserve
- guided snorkeling and fishing trips
- beachfront casitas
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Isla Palenque: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Qxxxx
- Wikivoyage: Isla Palenque, revision 5242136 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5242136
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/isla-palenque). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.