David is a hot, dusty, primarily commercial city that serves more as a layover than a destination for most trampers. It lies about an hour south of the Costa Rican border at Paso Canoa, an hour and a half southeast of Boquete and about two hours from Boca Chica. David is not, however, without its own charm. Take a night and head out on the town — beer is cheap and the company is relatively tourist-free. The central park is a great place for a picnic and is surrounded by shops where the savvy tramper can stock up on essentials. This last point is especially important if you’re headed to Boca Chica/Boca Brava. Beyond the lure of the park, David is also a great place to get a glimpse of the multicultural mix that is twenty-first century Panama.
GETTING // GOING • SLEEPING • MAP