Everything you need, right nearby. Maybe when you’re at home, this means there’s a bank on your block, a grocery store down the street, and entertainment in your neighborhood. But when you take a luxury vacation in the beautiful country of Panama, the humdrum requirements of everyday life evaporate (or are taken care of for you by your attentive concierge). So what are your new needs?
Intimate connection with nature… eye-opening experiences in the wilderness… feeling like you’ve got a paradise island all to yourself – just to name a few. For convenient access to all of this and more, you can’t do much better than stay at The Resort on Isla Palenque, where right in your neighborhood you’ll find the Gulf of Chiriqui’s most precious gem: Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí.
This national marine park encompasses 14,740 hectares of tropical forest and aquatic ecosystems, with over two dozen islands and 19 coral reefs. Now, I know (and you probably do too) that you can find lush jungles, abundant wildlife, and warm, beautiful waters to explore pretty much anywhere you travel in Panama – but the key word at Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriqui is proximity. From Isla Palenque, you can follow your fancy into the park, exploring other paradisiacal islands, walking along the soft white sands of their untouched beaches, venturing into the jungle just beyond the shore to glimpse exotic birds and entertaining monkeys… And when the shimmering waters lure you in, you’ll find equally varied sights while snorkeling and diving in the area. Everything you need, right nearby.
If you’re planning to vacation in Panama, this incredible natural destination is a must-see. View the slideshow for a sneak preview of your adventures in the Gulf of Chiriqui National Marine Park:
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Paradise islands
An island-hopping excursion through the park lands you on white sands bathed in brilliant sunlight. The interior of Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriqui is composed of roughly two dozen islands, most of them entirely uninhabited. Choose any one of these to call your own for the day.
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Yellow-headed parakeet
Many of the islands within PNMGC are covered in lush jungle, perfect for hiking and birdwatching adventures. Colorful native species such as this yellow-headed parakeet will sing, call, or in his case, talk to you from the canopy above.
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Fascinating landscapes
From rocky outcroppings to mangrove mazes, the wild islands of PNMGC feature incredible natural environments for you to explore.
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Wildlife spotting
Three different species of monkey, including howler monkeys, inhabit the tropical dry forests set back from the park's beaches. After refueling with a picnic lunch on the sand, enter the cool shade of the jungle for a wildlife-spotting adventure you won't forget.
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Green sea turtle
Majestic sea turtles find ample nesting ground on the beaches of Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriqui. You'll share the ocean with these graceful creatures while snorkeling or scuba diving in the warm waters nearby.
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Underwater adventures
This park is a snorkeler's and scuba diver's paradise, with unique coral formations and spectacular aquatic wildlife just a stone's throw from shore.
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Reef fish
The vibrant coral reefs of PNMGC are home to king angelfish, bicolor parrotfish, exotic moorish idols, butterflyfish, wrasses, and literally hundreds more.
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Sport fishing
Thrilling game fish including cubera snapper and 50-pound roosterfish populate the coral reefs surrounding the park, offering even experienced anglers an exciting challenge.
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Whale watching
PNMGC is a whale watching hotspot between August and October. You can spot mammoth humpbacks cavorting in the ocean from the shores of Isla Palenque!
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Frigate bird
Vibrantly-colored frigate birds take shelter in the jungle canopy, frequently emerging to give you a spectacular aerial show as they wheel and dive just above the treeline.
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Planning your visit
The park is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission costs $3.50; this fee is used to support the area's continued preservation. Located roughly 7 miles from the town of Boca Chica, Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriqui is easily accessible from Isla Palenque via a short boat trip. Your adventure awaits!
TAGS: Chiriqui Must Read Panama Panama Do & See Slideshows
Post by Rachel Kowalczyk
Rachel is transported around the world every day through the storytelling of a group of travel writers she feels privileged to work with as Managing Editor for The Ambler. Meet Rachel>>
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