Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a small guesthouse do little to disturb the tranquillity of the place. Snorkelling trips head out
into the national park, to the white-sand cove of
Isla Bolaños
, though even better snorkelling
and diving is to be had round the more remote (and pricier)
Islas Secas
,
Islas Ladrones
and
Isla Montuoso
, where the marine life is breathtaking, from sea horses and starfish to giant
manta and eagle rays, pods of dolphins, turtles, sharks and vast schools of fish swirling round
volcanic pinnacles, with humpback whales arriving to calve from June.
DIVING AND KAYAKING
Snorkelling outings in the park can easily be arranged through the hotels. For
scuba diving
,
contact Carlos Spragge at Boca Brava Divers ( 775 3185,
scubadiving-panama.com
)
,
who offers a one-day all-inclusive dive excursion ($250, minimum 4 people; visibility is
best Dec-April) and multi-day dive trips sleeping on his dive boat. The area's islands, in-
lets, caves and channels have also helped establish it as a nascent
sea-kayaking
destina-
tion.
Boquete Outdoor Adventures
organizes overnight and multi-day trips, though most
accommodation listed have kayaks if you just want to splash about.
ARRIVAL: PARQUE NACIONAL MARINO GOLFO DE CHIRIQUÍ
TO BOCA CHICA
By bus
The 1.30pm bus from David to Horconcitos, 5km south of the Interamericana con-
nects with a new 2.30pm bus service to Boca Brava. At other times, and for a more com-
fortable ride, take a bus bound for Tolé or San Félix, which can drop you off at the junction,
where there's usually a taxi waiting to take you to Boca Chica ($15) during daylight hours.
Alternatively, you might get a miracle sighting of the tatty Boca Chica minibus, which passes
the junction at around 12.30 and 4.30pm, if at all. The bus leaves Boca Chica at 9.15am and
1.30pm-ish. In the not entirely unexpected event of a no-show, you'll need to negotiate a ride.
By car
Boca Chica is down a paved road, accessible in a saloon car; turn off from the In-
teramericana to Horconcitos, 36km east of David, and then take the middle road at the three-
way fork in the village, coming to a halt at the jetty in Boca Chica 14km later. If leaving a car
overnight in the village, find someone to look after it.
TO THE ISLANDS
By boat
Transfer to
Hotel Boca Brava
from Boca Chica is $3.
Cala Mia
,
Isla Paridita
and
the
Pacific Bay Resort
can all organize a transfer, or you can usually find someone at the dock
to take you for the going rate of $60 return.
ACCOMMODATION
Bocas del Mar
6395 8757,
bocasdelmar.com
.
Gaze out at the wooded landscape and
glistening sea through the vast French windows in your spacious bungalow, or from your
private porch, or even from the luxurious bathroom. Rooms are stylishly furnished with a
