Where are we located?

Gulf of Chiriqui, which includes a National Marine Park, is one of the premier saltwater sportfishing destinations in the world. It lies off the Pacific coast of Panama in the Chiriqui province which is located on the western coast of Panama; Its capital is the city of David. It is about a 45-minute flight from Panama City to David. You can fly from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) on Copa Airlines or fly with Air Panama from the Regional Albrook Airport (PAV) in Panama City.

From David, it is about a 1 hour 15 minutes car ride on a newly-paved, expanded Pan American Highway to Boca Chica. We can also arrange to pick you up to transport you to Boca Chica.

If you prefer to rent a vehicle yourself, the drive from Panama City to Boca Chica is approximately a 5-hour car drive.

It is in this little fishing village of Boca Chica where your off-shore adventure starts. You will transfer to the island of Boca Brava where we welcome at our Isla Bambu Oceanfront Island Estate – your personal holiday address for your luxurious corner of peace, paradise, and adventure.

What are we different from other fisher lodges?

We will reserve the whole luxurious, high-end, exclusive Oceanfront Island Estate for your private enjoyment. For you and your group alone, you will have your private chef, bartender, private guides, fishing adventures, sports activities, expert boat captains, local tours, fun, competitions, and entertainment all-inclusive. We will cater to all of your diet and nutritional needs and include all those special extras to keep a smile on your face. Our resort-style estate has a variety of other water and sports activities for you to enjoy. Choose to play a game of tennis, basketball, boccia, putting practice, horse shows, kayaks, or use our fitness room, just to name a few … or just do nothing and relax by the pool or on the beach. 

Our local Travel Partner will be able to answer all your questions in great detail however we have summarized a few of the frequently asked questions here:

What is typical Panama weather for this area?

There are two main seasons. You have the Dry Season with sunny, blue skies, no rain, and little wind from approximately December to May and the Wet or Green Season from May to December. Temperatures can range between 80F and 90F (25-30 Celsius). The Wet or Green season has a bit lower temperature with the afternoons being cooled by afternoon breezes, a possible refreshing afternoon shower, and cloudy skies. Usually, October and November can produce more rain, however as we are experiencing globally, weather patterns are constantly changing from their norms, so you need to be prepared for all types of weather patterns.

What do you include for your meals and what kind of beverages do you include?

Your personal Chef is here for you. He will make full menu suggestions, including using your fresh catch of the day. Before you arrive, we will know your preferences and we will do our best to incorporate your wishes using the freshest local food and ingredients in the area. Whereas our staff can create a large variety of delicious meals, we do need to have advance notice for non-customary requests due to our remote location. Our Chef can cater to all of your special dietary and nutritional needs. Let our Chef surprise and spoil you with creative, enticing menu selections.

We will have a wonderful bar selection with well-known brands as well as a good selection of beer, wines, waters, sodas, juices, etc. We will surely try to include your favorites. We hope that our popular bartender will be ready for you most evenings. Your meals will be served either outdoors, in the privacy of your room, or indoors with lovely table settings providing a wonderful ambiance for you and your fellow guests.

Do you have Cable TV and Movies?

All the suites have a Smart TV with programming from SKY Satellite TV as well as connections to WIFI for your streaming services. The Cottage provides local channels and Internet for streaming services.

Do you have internet, telephone, and cell service?

Due to our extensive Solar System, our Internet is quite reliable. Whats App, as well as WIFI calls through your preferred carrier or app, are the most reliable course for the telephone.  Cell service is very sporadic and spotty in certain spots, but I would not rely solely on this. However, it is noticeable that cell service on the island is consistently improving.

What can non-fishers do as well as we do on non-fishing days?

We will have a full program available from which you can choose. Whether it's enjoying the sites, local and area tours such as hikes to luscious water-falls, exhilarating rainforest zip-lining, island hopping, horse-back riding, trips to Coffee plantations in the highlands of the mountain town Boquete, ATV exploring, white-water rafting, mangrove sunset boat tours, you will be entertained. There is also a challenging golf course in the Boquete area if you need to hit the links.

Or just stay at our private resort where you can use some of the many sports activities available to you (tennis, basketball, fitness gym, badminton, horseshoes, pickleball, boccia, croquet, just to name a few). Enjoy a Salsa lesson …  and some relaxing massages … or just hang and relax by the pool … or regenerate yourself laying on the beach and then end the day with some sunset cocktails at The Point.

Are there any hospitals or medical facilities nearby?

No, there are not. A variety of good hospitals and emergency medical facilities are located in David which is about 1 and 15 minutes away. It is important to please share any pre-existing conditions with us so we can plan accordingly.

What sort of fish, what sizes can I catch and what are the best months for fishing?

Due to the unique archipelago island topography, there are exceptional, strong underwater currents that force the low, cold water to rise. This water is full of nutrients, which impact the food chain creating bait for larger fish for you to catch.

This corner of paradise for fishermen promises excitement while competing for these huge species. Records are often broken. It depends upon the time of year you visit Panama to fish and whether you choose Off-shore or In-shore fishing.

·   You find Black and Blue Marlin throughout the whole year, however December to May are the best months. During the Panama Summer months of January and February, the quantity of Black and Blue Marlin and also Sailfish are bountiful, not only in quantity but also in size. You can catch fish up to 500-600lbs.

·   In August and September annually, you can challenge yourself to catch a Female Black Marlin. These can range in size between 500 -800 lbs.

·   Yellowfin Tuna and Cow Tuna are popular catches year-round but again the Dry Season from December to April, they are deeper. Yellowfin Tuna can average 80-100 lbs throughout the year. The really big Cow Tuna ranging from 200-400 lbs can be more prevalent in the Gulf usually in the months at the beginning of Wet or Green Season in April and May going into June as the best time.

·   From September through January, you can fish for Wahoo. Other types of fish which you can fish all year are Dolphin or Dorado, Cubera Snapper, Roosterfish, Grouper Mullet Snapper, Almaco Jack, and Pacific Amberjack.  

How far are you from the local Off-shore and In-shore fishing areas?

You can fish Off-shore in places such as the popular Isla Montuosa and Hannibal Bank. The boat trips to the Off-shore fishing locations are about 40nm away and can take up to about 1 ½ to 2 hours by boat depending upon the weather conditions, but the boats including sound systems are equipped comfortably, so you can sit back and relax.

You can enjoy In-shore fishing in places like Isla Las Paridas, Isla Las Ladrones or Isla Secas. They are from 30 to 60 minutes away.

What are the normal sea conditions?

Since the Gulf of Chiriqui is sheltered by the mountain range in the north and the peninsulas on the other sides, it is protected naturally from extreme winds. In the Dry Season from December to May, sea conditions are usually flat and calm. In the Wet or Green Season from May to December, the sea is usually quite mild. There are a few times that we get a moderate level of waves which can be 3-5 feet but luckily the lodges in the area have only had to cancel a small number of days due to bad weather.

May we keep our catch and do you clean it for us?

There are a few species of fish, such as Roosterfish, Billfish, and Cubera Snapper that are CPR for you. You are asked to Catch them, take your Photo and Release them back into the waters. Upon request, the other fish you catch will be cleaned and filleted for you. Your Private Chef will prepare a mouth-watering meal for you if you so wish. If you would like to catch a certain type of fish, our Boat Captains will do their best to fulfill your wish.

When do the fishing trip start and when do we return in the afternoon?

We get an early start. The boats will be leaving at about 6 a.m. unless the guests request a later start.  As s safety precautionary measure, we plan to return at around 5 p.m. well before dark.  

What kind of boats, fishing gear, lures, and live bait do you use?

These details change depending upon the size of your group, the boat that we include for your group, and your trip wishes. We will gladly give you these details once we have your pending travel plans. We have a wide selection of top-quality equipment that is included with the charter boats. 

Photos have been supplied by Isla Bambu, A.Corcio, E.Castillo