When we talk about cruises in Panama we usually think of those that arrive at the port of Colon and lately also at Amador in Panama City. However, for several years the Gulf of Chiriqui has been receiving a growing and important number of cruises with visitors eager to discover the beauties of this marine park.
Tourists from all over the world disembark in the Gulf
The tourists who arrive on these cruises come mainly from the United States, Canada, Australia and China; but also from Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Holland, Indonesia, the Philippines, Germany and the United Kingdom.
According to Juan Miguel Brenes, a Tourist Guide from Chiriqui, cruise ships that arrive use the route from Colon to Costa Rica, crossing through the canal, with the Gulf of Chiriqui being an intermediate point on the route. Of course, the cruise ships are not the giants that arrive at the ports of Panama and Colon, these are small and intermediate in size, where each one can accommodate between 70 to 200 tourists. Every year the number of tourists visiting the Gulf of Chiriqui increases to the point of exceeding 11,000 last year, with a significant number coming from cruise ships.
Natural Attractions Attract Cruise Ships Visits
Although the Gulf of Chiriqui does not yet have a great infrastructure like in other parts of the world, Juan Miguel Brenes comments that this region offers great attractions due to its natural beauties, apart from the fact that the tranquility of its waters allows the cruise boats to disembark easily on the beach with tourists.
Once the tourists are either on Parida Island or some other island, different activities are carried out in the area such as snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, or simply enjoying its crystal-clear waters while enjoying a world-class marine paradise.
Natural Gem with a Large Number of Places to Visit
The marine park, with an area of 14,740 hectares, offers tourists various beaches on islands: Parida, Santa Catalina, Paridita, Pulgoso, Gamez, Tintorera, Obispo, Obispone, Los Pargos, Ahogado, Icacos, Coral de Piedra, Bolaños, Berraco , Bolañitos, San Jose, Linarte, Saino, Sainitos, Iglesia Mayor, Carey Macho, Carey Hembra and others that are within the limits.
This natural jewel is home to some threatened species such as sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, dolphins and also contains 85% of all fish species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific; and is part of an extensive Marine Biological Corridor of the Eastern Tropical Pacific, this being the ideal place to receive the migration of humpback whales.
