Major city · Panama
Boca Chica
Spend 1–2 days in Boca Chica for fishing, diving and island hops; day‑trip possible from David.
Boca Chica is a small Pacific‑coast village near the Costa Rica border, serving as a launch point for world‑class sport fishing, scuba diving and visits to nearby islands such as Isla Saino, Isla Brava and the Islas Ladrones. A single day covers the main activities; a second night lets you stay on an island or enjoy a relaxed beach evening.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PAB
- Best months
- Dec–Apr, Sep–Oct
- avoid May–Aug (rainy season, road can be rough)
- Airport
- DAV
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Boca Chica104 ▾
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 Boca Chica, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; watch for road conditions after dark and keep valuables secure on boat trips.
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 Enrique Malek International Airport (David) (Less than 1 h by road to Boca Chica).
- Getting aroundWalk in town; hire a boat for island trips; taxis from the highway junction (≈ $15) or minibus from David (≈ $2) to the water’s edge.
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 Enrique Malek International Airport (David) (Less than 1 h by road to Boca Chica)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Sep–Oct, Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Boca Chica: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°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
Walk in town; hire a boat for island trips; taxis from the highway junction (≈ $15) or minibus from David (≈ $2) to the water’s edge.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Isla Saino
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min total
Boat from Boca Chica, ~10 min
Beach day; $30‑35 return boat fee; may be crowded in daylight.
Isla Brava
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min total
Boat from Boca Chica, ~20 min
Budget accommodations on the island; good for a night stay.
Islas Ladrones
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 2 h total
Charter boat from Boca Chica, 1‑h trip
Excellent diving; arrange with local operators, price varies.
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.
Seagull Cove Lodge
Boutique hotel, bungalows, near the road to Boca Chica
Bocas del Mar
First‑class bungalows, two pools, organized water activities
Gone Fishing inn
Family‑run, basic rooms
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
- $30–45 USD excl. bed
- Mid
- $45–70 USD excl. bed
- High
- $70+ USD excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Bus from David to Boca Chica | $1.75 |
| Minibus 21 km to water | $2 |
| Taxi from highway junction | $15 |
| Full‑day boat tour (whale watching, beach, snorkel) | $20 person (≈ $100 per boat) |
| Boat to Isla Saino (round‑trip) | $30–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road to Boca Chica can be difficult at night; plan transport ahead.
- Boat operators often speak only Spanish; confirm price ($20 person for full‑day tour, $30‑35 round‑trip to Isla Saino).
- Rainy season (May–Aug) may make the single access road impassable.
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.
Boca ChicaBoca Chica
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire and ambulance103
- General emergency911
Embassy
US consulate in Panama City (check address); other embassies in Panama City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus David → Boca Chica: about $1.75, 1 h
- Minibus to water: about $2, 15 min
- Taxi from highway junction: about $15, 30 min (check availability at night)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- Quisiera reservar un bote — I would like to book a boat (kee-see-eh-rah reh-ser-var oon boh-teh)
- ¿Dónde está el cajero más cercano? — Where is the nearest ATM? (don-deh es-tah el kah-he-roh mahs sehr-kah-no)
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 Boca Chica. 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, Sep–Oct · avoid May–Aug (rainy season, road can be rough) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a day for island overnight (Isla Brava or Isla Saino).
- Combine with a fishing charter for $100 per boat day.
Sources
Ask about Boca Chica
Loading…
Was this useful?