Major city · Panama
Islas Paridas
Go for a day trip or one night if you fish or dive in the Gulf of Chiriquí; skip if you only have time for Bocas del Toro or San Blas.
Islas Paridas is a small, mostly uninhabited island group in the Gulf of Chiriquí, 30 km south of David and inside Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí. It's a 30-minute boat ride from Boca Chica or 90 minutes from Pedregal. The appeal is big-game fishing, diving and solitude — there are no resorts, no restaurants and no shops. Most visitors come on a day trip from Boca Chica or stay one night at a fishing lodge. If you want beaches and nightlife, choose Bocas del Toro or San Blas instead.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season, calm seas)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, rougher seas, some lodges close)
- Airport
- DAV
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Islas Paridas104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Islas Paridas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?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.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetyThe islands are remote with no medical facilities.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire and ambulance · 911 General emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDAV David (Enrique Malek) (About 1 h by road to Boca Chica, then 30 min by boat).
- Getting aroundBoat is the only way to explore the islands.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Beercheck$2–3
- Budget bedHotel in Boca Chica, double room, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedHotel in Boca Chica, double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedHotel in Boca Chica, double room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$150 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DAV David (Enrique Malek) (About 1 h by road to Boca Chica, then 30 min by boat)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (18 rain days), driest Feb (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Islas Paridas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Boat is the only way to explore the islands. Arrange through your lodge or a tour operator in Boca Chica.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Boca Chica
goDoor to door: 30 min
Boat from Islas Paridas, 30 min
Mainland base for supplies and accommodation.
David
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Boat to Boca Chica, then taxi or bus, about 1 h total
City services, supermarkets and the airport.
Isla Palenque
goDoor to door: 20 min
Boat, about 20 min
Resort island with beaches and trails.
Santa Catalina
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Boat to Boca Chica, then drive, about 1.5 h
Surf and diving; a full day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Boca Chica
Closest mainland base; hotels and lodges, then boat to the islands.
Islas Paridas itself
One fishing lodge (Propiedad de Paradise); book ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80 excl. boat transfer
- Mid
- $100–200 excl. boat transfer
- High
- $300+ excl. boat transfer
Trip budget
| Fishing lodge, per person2 × 1 night × US$150 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Boat transfer Boca Chica ↔ Islas Paridas, round trip2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| Fishing charter, half-day1 × US$300 · check | US$300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$102 |
| Trip total≈ US$561 per person per day, bed included | US$1,122 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat transfer Boca Chica → Islas Paridas, one waycheck | $30–40 |
| Fishing charter, half-daycheck | $200–500 |
| Meal at a lodgecheck | $15–30 |
| Beercheck | $2–3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No shops, restaurants or ATMs on the islands: bring cash, food and water.
- Seas can be rough May–Nov; check the forecast before booking a boat.
- Some lodges close in the rainy season; confirm availability.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 103
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Islas ParidasIslas Paridas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire and ambulance103
- General emergency911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Boca Chica → Islas Paridas: about $30–40, 30 min (check)
- Taxi Boca Chica → David: $30–40, about 1 h
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el bote? — Where is the boat? (DON-deh es-TAH el BOH-teh)
English is not widely spoken in the islands; basic Spanish helps.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Islas Paridas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, calm seas) · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, rougher seas, some lodges close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat transfer from Boca Chica: check times and prices with your lodge.
- Fishing charter: $200–500 per half-day, depending on boat and season.
- Diving trip: check availability in the marine park.
Sources
Ask about Islas Paridas
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