Plizio Visual Lab

Port of Pedregal

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Port

Weather…

The Port of Pedregal is located in the Chiriquí province, near the city of David, serving as the primary maritime gateway for western Panama. Situated within an estuary and sheltered by mangrove forests, it provides a secure harbor for small cargo vessels, fishing boats, and yachts. Historically, Pedregal was indispensable for transporting agricultural products from the fertile highlands of Chiriquí to the rest of the country before the national road system was fully developed. Today, the port's activity centers on coastal fishing and the regional trade of fertilizers and construction materials. Due to tidal dependence and the shallow depth of the access channel, only vessels with limited drafts can dock at its facilities. Nevertheless, it remains a vital logistical hub for the local economy and supports tourism by facilitating trips to the islands of the Gulf of Chiriquí. Ongoing plans to dredge the channel and modernize the wharves aim to increase capacity for larger supply vessels serving the regional energy and agricultural sectors.

Location: Panama
Nearby: Almirante (13 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	24	25	26	26	25	24	24	24	24	24	24	24
Rain mm	50	28	42	101	285	232	272	265	239	292	298	113

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Port of Pedregal is a regional transshipment port near David, Panama, facilitating the transport of agricultural and commercial goods. It plays an important role in supplying the province of Chiriquí with imports and exports.

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Visiting

The port is a working transshipment point not fully accessible to the public. From surrounding streets and the Pedregal waterfront promenade, loading activities and ships can be observed.

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Where to view it

A good viewpoint is the pedestrian bridge at the port entrance, where ship traffic and quays are visible. The nearby bank of the Chiriquí River also provides an alternative perspective on the port entrance.

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Local products

The Chiriquí region is agricultural, and products such as coffee, bananas, and sugar are exported through the port. Local markets in David offer fresh tropical fruits and local specialties like corn flour and cheese.

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Active season

The agricultural export season peaks during main harvest periods, typically December to April for coffee and April to September for bananas. The port sees highest traffic during these months.

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Nearby

The port is located near David, the bustling capital of Chiriquí province, offering cultural and culinary experiences. A trip to the highland coffee plantations of Boquete is also a handy combination.

Geography

Coordinates

8.40000, -82.40000

Facts

The port is located approximately 5 km (3 miles) south of downtown David.
It is protected by an extensive network of natural mangrove channels.
Pedregal is a key exit point for beef and grain exports from Chiriquí.
The access channel has a maximum depth of about 4 to 5 meters during high tide.
The port serves as the main launch point for the Gulf of Chiriquí National Park.
It is one of the oldest continuously operating ports on Panama's Pacific coast.