A Review of Boca Chica Panama: Seagull Cove Lodge and Boca Brava

Seagull Cove Lodge located in Boca Chica, Panama is a 30 minute drive down a semi-paved road off of the Pan-American Highway and another ¼ mile on a very rustic dirt driveway. The Seagull Cove Lodge is a quaint get-away overlooking the Pacific Ocean. All bungalows are built into the hill and overlook the bay and have a private balcony. In March 2009, a rate of $150 per night was pretty standard whether walk in or booked in advance. The Seagull Cove Lodge has a plunge pool, kayak rental for $25 and free wireless Internet in the dining/bar area. Meals are a little more expensive than in Panama City, but in the remote location there are not any other options. If heading out for the day a box lunch with a sandwich, 'chips', granola bar and fruit is available for $18. For $10 per person, breakfast includes breads, a large plate of fruit, juice, coffee and either pancakes, eggs with bacon or an omelet.

In March 2009, dinner was not a set menu as would be expected in a remote, boutique hotel. The calamari, although probably frozen, the large tender rings in a batter with almonds, is very good. The caprese with homemade buffalo mozzarella is also good. Pasta is homemade and the tagliatelle mari y mani (garlic cream sauce, mushrooms and shrimp) at $16, delicious. The Rigatoni carbonara and the pork Saltambocca with grilled zucchini are also delicious for $16. The Seagull Cove Lodge requests that outside food and beverage not be consumed on the premise. Drinks are reasonably priced with beers $2 and a glass of wine $4. From Seagull Cove Lodge to the David airport the drive is about 1 hour 15 minutes and is an easy drive. The Seagull Cove Lodge is a hidden gem!

Around Boca Chica there are a few activities that The Seagull Cove Lodge can arrange. Scuba diving or snorkeling is offered, unfortunately, there are limited dive boats and none were available during our stay. The boat to island beach is a 45 minute boat ride to an island with a nice, white sand beach for $100 for the day for 4 people. The snorkeling in March 2009 was not very good, with bad visibility and not much life, so missing a scuba dive trip was less of a disappointment.

The town of Boca Chica, with a population of 100, is just a short drive, probably about 1 mile, from the Seagull Cove Lodge. To get to Boca Brava, take a left out of the Seagull Cove Lodge road and go to the end of the road in Boca Chica and ask one of the men with a boat for a ride. The cost is about $2 per person each way and the man will come back at an agreed time. The hostel in Boca Brava looks dirty and run down, but having never stayed at a hostel am unsure what it would look like inside. To find the howler monkeys on Boca Brava, take the main road behind the hostel and listen, they hang out in the trees along the road. There are also walking trails down to a beach and through the forest. Once back in Boca Chica, the Social Club (Chiquitina), is the local hang out with cold beer for $.75! The food and restroom did not look appealing, but this is a great place to visit with the locals.

Boca Chica is a great place to get away for a few days!