View out towards the islands from hotel in Boca Chica, with Isla Boca Brava on the right

Boca Chica is a small fishing village located on the mouth of an estuary on the Pacific Coast of Panama. Now only an hour from David, the provincial capital of Chiriqui, a new road to Boca Chica has recently made it more accessible. Still very much off the beaten track, this beautiful area is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the surrounding marine environments.

The village of Boca Chica has a small grocery store and gas station, a Panamanian restaurant serving local food and fish, and two boutique hotels all within 10 minutes of each other.

The neighbouring island of Boca Brava, under five minutes by boat from the dock at Boca Chica, is home to two further hotels and a wealth of wildlife including howler monkeys, ant-eaters, and many species of bird.

A variety of activities are available in the area including fishing, island walks on Boca Chica, beach-hopping trips and of course, scuba diving!

The islands in the area are numerous and varied with many protected within the Chiriqui National Marine Park. There are two marine parks in the area, the Chiriqui National Marine Park and the Coiba National Marine Park, a World Heritage Site.

There is no cash machine or bank in the area, the closest being in David, so bring enough money with you. However most of the hotels except cards.

There isn't an internet cafe in town but you should be able to check your emails at your hotel. Mobile phone reception is still unreliable here. There is a local pay phone by the dock.

Click here for photos of Boca Chica, Isla Boca Brava and the surrounding area...