David

Country Riverfront

Population: 83k

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September–October

Famous For: Gateway to Boquete and the Chiriquí highlands, Access to the coffee-growing region, Agricultural trade center, Proximity to the Costa Rican border, Local markets and everyday Panamanian commerce

Train Access: No

Bus Access: Yes (Local buses and regional intercity bus services connecting to Panama City and other provinces)

David sits in Chiriquí Province in western Panama, a working city that doesn't perform for tourists but rewards those who show up. The downtown core along Avenida Central pulses with local commerce—fruit vendors, hardware shops, and comedores where construction workers eat breakfast. Parque Cervantes anchors the center, a modest plaza where you'll see families on weekends and retirees on benches. The real draw lies outside the city limits: Boquete, a mountain town 45 minutes north, draws coffee farmers and expats seeking cooler air and cloud forest trails. Volcán Barú, Panama's highest peak at 3,475 meters, dominates the landscape and can be summited in a long day hike from nearby towns. The Caldera region to the east offers hot springs and rural farmland. David itself functions as a supply hub and transit point—most visitors pass through en route to Bocas del Toro or the Boquete highlands, but the city's lack of pretense and genuine Panamanian rhythm make it worth a day or two.

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