Golfo de Chiriquí National Park

Golfo de Chiriquí National Park is a marine protected area on Panama's Pacific coast covering about 14,740 hectares. The park includes more than two dozen islands surrounded by coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds in these coastal waters.

The park was established in 1994 to protect the marine ecosystems of Chiriquí Gulf. This designation created a safe refuge for a wide range of sea creatures in the region.

Local fishing communities have kept their traditional practices while learning to work with conservation rules that protect the marine life here. This balance between old ways and modern protection shapes how people live and work on the water today.

The park is best reached from the town of Horconcitos, located about 40 kilometers east of David. From there, you drive to Boca Chica where boats are available for exploring the islands and reefs.

Between August and October, humpback whales pass through the protected waters during their migration from Antarctica to tropical breeding areas. This seasonal arrival makes the park one of the few places where you can watch these ocean giants along their migration route.

GPS coordinates: 7.32444,-81.80000

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41