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David
ℹ️Practical info — David
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Be prepared for high humidity; it is best to plan your sightseeing for the early morning hours.
- Taxis in David use fixed rates based on zones; always confirm the fare before starting your trip.
- The main bus terminal is the central hub for catching frequent buses to Boquete or Volcán.
- Try to park in shaded side streets around Parque Cervantes to keep your car from overheating in the sun.
- Tipping is not strictly expected in small local eateries (fondas), but a small amount is appreciated in larger restaurants.
🍽 Food
Try this hearty traditional chicken soup at the small eateries near the central market.
Cool down with a shaved ice treat topped with syrup from vendors in Cervantes Park.
Head to the Pedregal port area for the freshest fish served in simple waterfront restaurants.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Find beautiful handmade baskets and textiles created by the indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé people.
A busy commercial street lined with traditional shops and affordable local goods.
Visit the public market for fresh tropical fruits and authentic local handicrafts.
The cathedral provides a cool and peaceful escape from the busy city streets.
A hill on the outskirts of the city offering a nice view of David and the mountains.
Find a bench under the massive trees for a quiet moment in the shade.
Water temperature…
David, officially known as San José de David, is the capital of Chiriquí Province and Panama's third-largest city. Situated on a coastal plain in the western part of the country near the Costa Rican border, it serves as the primary commercial and logistics hub for the region. The city was founded in 1602 and has since evolved into the beating heart of Panamanian agriculture, with livestock ranching and fruit and vegetable cultivation dominating the local economy. Thanks to the Enrique Malek International Airport, David is a central gateway for tourists visiting the nearby Boquete highlands or the Barú Volcano. The climate in David is noted as one of the hottest in Panama, which shapes the daily rhythm of the city. Every March, the city hosts the 'Feria Internacional de David,' a major industrial, commercial, and agricultural fair that attracts visitors from across Central America.
- Location: Panama
- Top sights: Museo del Barrio y Antigüedades La Casona · Fundación Cultural Gallegos · Museo al Ferrocarril
- Nearby: Almirante (13 km)
- Population: ~81.957 (2026)
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 |
History & landmarks
Colonial
1602
Geography
Facts
- The city was officially founded in the year 1602.
- David serves as the capital of the affluent Chiriquí Province.
- Home to the Enrique Malek International Airport.
- Main center for the cattle and livestock industry in Panama.
- Host of the annual International David Fair held in March.
- Primary transit point for trade between Panama and Costa Rica.
Explore nearby
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Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town David (8)
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