Major city · Panama
Islas Ladrones
Skip unless you dive or snorkel: a boat day-trip from Boca Chica or Pedregal, not a stay.
Islas Ladrones is a 500 m island 40 km south of Boca Chica in the Gulf of Chiriquí. The draw is underwater: diving visibility of 30–80 m, schools of jack, barracuda and snapper, and white-tip, black-tip and nurse sharks year round. Giant manta rays appear May–November and humpback whales pass through seasonally. Whether you can stay or eat on the island is not documented in the sources — check with your operator before you go.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PAB
- Best months
- May–Nov for giant manta rays (check sea conditions for the rest of the year)
- avoid check
- Airport
- David (DAV)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Islas Ladrones104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Islas Ladrones, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetycheckThe main risk is the boat ride: wear a life jacket, check the weather.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire · 911 General emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckDAV David (Enrique Malek International) (check — the source only gives boat access from Boca Chica or Pedregal, the port near David).
- Getting aroundcheckThe island is 500 m in diameter — everything else about moving around it is undocumented; check with your boat operator.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DAV David (Enrique Malek International) (check — the source only gives boat access from Boca Chica or Pedregal, the port near David)
Map of Islas Ladrones
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Islas Ladrones
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Isla Palenque · 41 km straight line
- Boca Brava · 44 km straight line
- Islas Paridas · 44 km straight line
- Islas Secas · 46 km straight line
- Boca Chica · 46 km straight line
- David · 59 km straight line
- Gualaca · 76 km straight line
- Las Lajas · 76 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (20 rain days), driest Feb (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Islas Ladrones: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The island is 500 m in diameter — everything else about moving around it is undocumented; check with your boat operator.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Boat from Islas Ladrones, about 40 km (25 mi)Boat from Islas Ladrones, about 25 mi (40 km)
Mainland base with lodging and restaurants.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Boat to Pedregal, then taxi or bus
Largest city in the region; flights and bus connections.
Door to door: About 1 h
Boat from Boca Chica, about 30 min
Resort island with beach and trails.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Boca Chica
Boat trips to the island depart from here; lodging options: check.
David
Larger town with more hotels; access to Pedregal port: check.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Day-trip (boat + dive)
- $120–200
Trip budget
| Day-trip (boat + dive)1 × 1 night × PAB 160 | PAB 160 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PAB 160 | PAB 160 |
| Trip total≈ PAB 320 per person per day, bed included | PAB 320 |
Includes boat transfer, guide, tanks and weights; lunch and gear rental extra.
2026 estimate in USD; Panama uses US dollars. Day-trip only.
Prices of common things
| Boat transfer from Boca Chica (return)check | $60–80 |
| Dive trip (2 tanks, guide, gear)check | $100–150 |
| Snorkel trip (half-day)check | $50–70 |
| Lunch on the boatcheck | $10–15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No accommodation, food or water on the island: bring everything.
- Boat trips depend on weather; check sea conditions the day before.
- Shark sightings are common — keep hands still and follow the dive guide.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire
- 103
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Islas LadronesIslas Ladrones
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire103
- General emergency911
Embassy
The US embassy is in Panama City; most other countries have embassies there as well.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat from Boca Chica (return): $60–80 (check)
- Dive trip (2 tanks): $100–150 (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el bote? — Where is the boat? (don-deh es-tah el boh-teh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Islas Ladrones. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Nov for giant manta rays (check sea conditions for the rest of the year) · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Islas Ladrones
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