Major city · Panama
Islas Secas
Go only if you have a high budget and want a private-island resort experience: 3–4 nights, fly from Panama City, boat from Boca Chica.
Islas Secas is a private archipelago in the Gulf of Chiriquí, about 25 km southeast of Boca Chica. It operates as a single high-end resort with all-inclusive stays, fly-in access and a focus on marine activities. Most travellers skip it because of the cost and the limited independent travel options.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season), Jul–Oct (whale watching)
- avoid May–Jun (rainy season, fewer whales)
- Airport
- PTY
- Nights
- 3–4
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 Secas911 ▾
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 Secas, 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 resort area is very safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers911 emergency · 104 police · 103 fire
- 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.
- AirportPTY Tocumen International Airport (Resort's private plane from Tocumen or Albrook Field; roundtrip US$400 per person (2026 estimate)).
- Getting aroundThe resort's boat, the Betty Fae, transfers guests between islands and to activities.
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
- PTY Tocumen International Airport (Resort's private plane from Tocumen or Albrook Field; roundtrip US$400 per person (2026 estimate))
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
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Jul–Oct, Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (18 rain days), driest Feb (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Islas Secas: 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)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 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)
14 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°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
The resort's boat, the Betty Fae, transfers guests between islands and to activities. No public transport.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Resort boat, about 30 min
Gateway town for the Gulf of Chiriquí; book a day trip or transfer.
Door to door: About 1 h
Resort boat, about 1 h
Another private resort island; access is by arrangement or as a guest.
Door to door: About 2 h
Boat to Boca Chica, then road, about 2 h total
Surf and diving town; requires a transfer through Boca Chica.
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.
Islas Secas Resort
The only accommodation on the islands; all-inclusive, book directly.
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
- Resort (all-inclusive)
- US$800–1,500+ (2026 estimate)
Trip budget
| Resort all-inclusive (per person per night)2 × 3 nights × US$2,000 | US$12,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$2,000 | US$12,000 |
| Private plane roundtrip from Panama City2 × US$400 · check | US$800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$2,480 |
| Trip total≈ US$4,547 per person per day, bed included | US$27,280 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights to Panama City excluded. Only the resort option is available.
Prices of common things
| Private plane roundtrip (Panama City ↔ Islas Secas)check | US$400 per person |
| Resort all-inclusive (per person per night)check | US$800–2,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Access is by resort boat or private plane only; no public ferry.
- The resort is expensive: check the all-inclusive rate before booking.
- Whale watching season (Jul–Oct) may have rougher seas.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency
- 911
- Police
- 104
- Fire
- 103
Pocket card
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Islas SecasIslas Secas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency911
- Police104
- Fire103
Embassy
The US embassy is in Panama City; most other countries also have embassies there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Private plane roundtrip: US$400 per person, about 1 h (check)
- Resort boat to Boca Chica: Included in stay; about 30 min
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh)
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 Secas. 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), Jul–Oct (whale watching) · avoid May–Jun (rainy season, fewer whales) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Islas Secas
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