Click here for January - August 2013's calendar of events.
The Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park! has always been one of the most popular destinations for our Spanish students and it's easy to see why: pristine beaches, uninhabited tropical islands (with very few or no tourists at all), abundant wildlife (coral, fishes, dolphins, turtles, whales, crocodiles, birds...) and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors (sport fishing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, surfing or just lying in the sun). Getting some beach time during the weekend after a week of Spanish studies in Boquete's mountains is great way to mix it up!
Every visitor falls in love with the Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park
Panama's dry season in the Pacific, from December to April, marks the best time of the year to visit the Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park in terms of water clarity, visibility, and of course, sunshine! And then whale watching season kicks in during the summer so this is why during Panama's 2013 high season we have select 7 different weekends to camp at the Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park!
- Saturday February 9th - Sunday February 10th
- Saturday March 2nd - Sunday March 3rd
- Saturday March 30th - Sunday March 31st
- Saturday May 4th - Sunday May 5th
- Saturday July 6th - Sunday July 7th
- Saturday August 17th - Sunday August 18th
For Habla Ya Spanish students this trip will only cost $150 per person (and $175 per person for non students). If you can't join us on any of these dates, check out our standard trip to the Chiriqui Gulf National Park.
The plan is to camp either at Bolaños Island or Gámez. Both islands are simply stunning. Wherever we camp you'll get to visit both because if we camp at Isla Bolaños on the next day we'll spend the morning at Gámez Island and hopefully on our way there, we'll get to see some dolphins! Isla Gámez is smaller but the water surrounding it tends to be clearer and the white sand beach is longer. Bolaños is a larger island with more opportunities to hike and explore. Both have decent snorkeling spots with plenty of coral and fish to enjoy. When visibility is good you can easily spend hours under the water... just be careful with the currents!
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Spanish student with our Customer Experience Director, Swan Bozzi, in front of Isla Gámez
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So, as promised, here is the itinerary for this weekend's Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park Island Trip:
Saturday
- 8 a.m. - Depart from Boquete to Boca Chica
- 9:30 a.m. - Arrive to Boca Chica and depart to Boca Brava for breakfast at local restaurant (short boat ride, only a couple of minutes)
- 10:30 a.m. - Short hike to try and spot some howler monkeys
- 11:30 a.m. - Depart towards Gámez or Bolaños Island (keep your fingers crossed for some dolphin action)
- 12:00 a.m. - Arrival to island for some beach time and snorkeling!
- 1:00 p.m. - Lunch
- 2:00 p.m. - More beach time and volleyball tournament
- 4:00 p.m. - Afternoon snack
- 5:00 p.m. - Setup camp
- 6:00 p.m. - Dinner time
- 7:00 p.m. - Campfire, wine, stories and tropical island party!
Dolphins spotted during one of our trips to the Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park
Sunday
- 7:30 a.m. - Breakfast
- 9:00 a.m. - Depart to next island for more snorkeling, beach time and another chance to spot dolphins
- 11:00 a.m. - Snacks, fruit and cold drinks. More beach time.
- 12:00 p.m. - Depart back to main land
- 12:45 p.m. - Lunch at Boca Chica (fresh fish or upgrade to lobster for $5 more!)
- 2:00 p.m. - Head back to Boquete
- 4:00 p.m. - Arrival to Boquete
Price includes ($150 for HY students, $175 for non students):
- Roundtrip transportation Boquete to Boca Chica and all of the boat trips (to Isla Boca Brava, Bolaños and Gámez)
- Meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner), snacks, cold beer, soft drinks and fruit
- Comfortable Camping gear: tent, sleeping bag, mat, flashlight, first aid kit, tarp
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What to bring? A towel, a couple of changes of cloth, swim-wear, sun-block, mosquito repellent, passport or copy of it, camera, extra water and a back-pack.
If you're in Panama at the moment, join us and don't miss it! The Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park is the highlight of many visitors' Panama vacation.
Couple at Bolaños Island in the Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park
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