Boca Brava Voyage Tips and guide

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Boca Brava is a sparsely populated island in the Gulf of Chiriquí in the Pacific West of Panama. It is a protected wildlife area that is part of the Chiriqui National Marine Park. Boca Brava is particularly known for its large population of howler monkeys.

Map of Boca Brava

From Boca Chica regular water taxis make the five-minute trip (8 km) to the south-western Playa Piedrita at Boca Brava for $3 per person ($5 at night).

Or to the pier just 2 min straight across from Boca Chica for $1, for the trail to Coco Beach.

Or to the pier just 3 min diagonal from Boca Chica for $2, for the trail to Playa Christina.

By boat, water taxi or foot.

If water taxis are not available at the dock, press the hotel to take you to the docks in their own dock.

Boca Brava is covered in untouched rain forests and home to multiple families of howler monkeys, as is the neighboring island, Isla Palenque.

Due to the estuary of the Pedegral, Boca Brava cannot boast of nice beaches. The waters become beautifully clear just past Boca Brava on Isla Palenque, however.

There are hiking trails dotting the island, though it is not large.

This largely uninhabited island has no stores of note, try Boca Chica.

Bar and restaurant can be found at Cala Mia Resort, as well as at Hotel y Restaurante Boca Brava.

• Solar powered green resort Cala Mia can be found on Boca Brava, which offers 11 bungalows and practices environmentally responsible tourism and sport fishing.
• Also on the island, Hotel y Restaurante Boca Brava is formerly a backpacker hangout (Cabanas Boca Brava) commonly known as "Frank's Place." It is under the new management of Americans Kelly and Brad; it has gone slightly more midmarket, but still has hammocks available for backpackers.
• Howlers Bay Hotel – Double tent: $22. Double cabin: $34.
• On neighboring Isla Palenque a boutique eco-resort development plans to break ground at the end of the year.
• Panama Big Game Fishing Club has just finished a multi-million dollar re-furbishment and now has a five star rating and a Certificate of Excellence at Tripadvisor.