National park · Panama
Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine ParkParque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí
Visit Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park: take a boat from Boca Chica to the Paridas islands for snorkeling (≈2 h) in the morning, or join a full‑day sport‑fishing trip to Hannibal Bank in the dry season; entry fee is modest, and avoid the rainy season (May–June).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
147 km² (57 sq mi)57 sq mi (147 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Aug–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, 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.
- Pacific West ↗Balboa (PAB) is 1:1 with the US dollar; US notes circulate, change comes in Panamanian coins.
- Pacific West ↗Drive on the right. Rental cars cannot be taken across the Costa Rican border.
- Pacific West ↗La Amistad International Park charges foreign visitors about $5 and closes at 16:00; verify current hours at the ranger station.
At a glance
- Country
- Panama
- Area
- 147 km² (57 sq mi)57 sq mi (147 km²)
- Approximate area of 147 km²; sources differ on exact boundaries (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Aug–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Boquete
Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park protects a coral‑rich archipelago of islands, mangroves and marine meadows, offering snorkeling, whale watching and sport‑fishing in a relatively undeveloped marine setting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1994.
Size and age
147 km² (57 sq mi)57 sq mi (147 km²) · national park since 1994
Approximate area of 147 km²; sources differ on exact boundaries (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Boquete.
Why go
- Coral reefs, mangroves and marine meadows in a protected archipelago.
- Humpback whales (Aug–Oct) and diverse marine life including sharks and turtles.
- Island beaches with white sand and forested hills.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, calm seas.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarDry, pleasant.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rain, seas rougher.
- JunRainy, reduced visibility.
- JulRainy, possible storms.
- AugHumpback whales, good snorkeling.
- SepWhale season, calm seas.
- OctWhale season, clear water.
- NovDry, still good.
- DecDry, pleasant.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whalesAug–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Hammerhead sharks, dolphins, sea turtlesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Green iguanas, tropical birds, orchids, butterfliesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Paridas Islands | Main island group with cabins, beaches and snorkeling sites. | Boat from Boca Chica; cabins require reservation. |
| Boca Chica | Transport hub, boat hire, basic lodging. | Open to visitors; services for day trips. |
| Hannibal Bank | Deep‑water sport‑fishing area. | Charter boat from Boca Chica. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for main island group; exact points vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (boat ticket) | US$10–20 | person | Check exact price at Boca Chica dock. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Fishing
- Only allowed with licensed charter; catch‑and‑release for protected species.
- Camping
- Cabins on Paridas islands require reservation; open‑air camping only in designated areas.
- Protected zones
- Do not anchor on coral reefs; use mooring buoys where provided.
Where to stay
In the park
Paridas island cabins
Simple wooden cabins, basic facilities.
Near the park
Boca Chica hostels
Budget rooms and dorms close to the dock.
Safety
Strong currents medium
Sun exposure low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boat access may be challenging for limited mobility; cabins have basic access.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen.
- Support local operators that follow park regulations.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park?
Entry is charged as a boat ticket at Boca Chica, typically between $10–$20 per person; confirm current price locally.
What are the best hikes in Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park?
The park is marine‑focused; there are no formal land hikes, but you can walk short forest trails on Paridas islands near the cabins.
When is the best time to visit Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park?
Dry season (Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec) offers calm seas; August–October is best for humpback whale watching.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park
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