Activities

BEACH COMBING
The beaches on the Island, and beaches on adjacent islands—some of which you can sail to—are soft, fine sand that remains cool in the tropic sun and often has a color cast from the volcanic rock formations. One will find many varieties of shells, coral, and driftwood on the sandy beaches, and starfish and shell fish in the tide pools, lagoons, and on the rocks.

BARBEQUES
There is nothing more romantic than the fish hooked in the afternoon being grilled over flickering coals, accompanied by a bottle of good wine, French bread, and crisp salad, while just the two of you bask in the warm evening breeze.

BIRD WATCHING
Sea birds abound all along the coast of Club Marlin Pacifica, but one can also find the more colorful jungle birds. Each morning the songs from these birds caress the warm trade winds. There are over 850 native bird species that we are sure will make your heart soar.

DEEP SEA FISHING
Club Marlin Pacifica will provide fishing boats, tackle, and crews so you can set a new record when you land one of the many Pacific billfish such as Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, and Striped Marlin. You can also try your luck with Amberjack, Corbina, Dolphin, Roosterfish, Snapper, Grouper, African Pompano, Snook, Wahoo, Rainbow Runner, Jacks, Mackerel, Ladyfish, Tuna, Houndfish, Bonitos, and Sharks. This area holds many world records in deep sea sport fishing, and is considered the best in the world.

JUNGLE EXCURSIONS
The Island is covered with lush, tropical jungle and there are excursions available for the adventuresome. We also offer trips to the mainland.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Readily available subjects include the Panama Canal, Old Panama, Casco Viejo, local natives, lush flora, tropical sunsets, your prize deep sea catch, beautiful birds, underwater shots of fish and coral reefs, made easy by the clear blue skies and crystal clear waters at this island paradise. Monkeys, tapirs, puma, jaguar, peccary, deer, wild pig, ocelots, agouti, paca, armadillos, anteaters and sloths are found on the mainland and some of the adjacent islands, and trips will be arranged upon request.

PICNICKING
We can prepare a box lunch or a gourmet picnic for you to enjoy while you explore the adjacent islands, or while sailing the blue waters of the Gulf of Panama.

REEF DIVING
Club Marlin Pacifica will be a paradise-come-true for those who enjoy the unforgettable experience of skin diving in clear blue water. Imagine diving amid reefs where tropical fish dart about with fleeting turtles, lobsters, and crabs. Discover caves or spear a fish for your dinner. We will provide you with a limited assortment of diving equipment.

SAILING
Club Marlin Pacifica will provide several sail boats from 14 ft. day-sailers to Hobie Cats. Within 15 miles of Club Marlin Pacifica there are many beautiful islands.

SHELL COLLECTING
One can stroll along the quiet beaches near Club Marlin Pacifica or on one of the many other islands and find an array of sea shells in sizes and colors that are indescribable. Add a face mask and you can peer into the shallow water along the rocks at the edge of the beach and find even larger and more beautiful shells.

SNORKELING
Club Marlin Pacifica will provide you with a limited assortment of snorkeling gear. Even if you are not a good swimmer, you can be a good snorkeler. We’ll have daily lessons for beginners and show the more adventurous where the best areas are for shallow dives or underwater photography.

Services

AIRPORTS
Local airlines from David will provide 70 minute service to Panama City with connecting flights worldwide. Enrique Malek International Airport, only 4 miles from David’s port at Pedregal, is a full service airport of entry, offering customs and Jet A fuel. Runway 04/22 offers 6890 feet of asphalt surface, as well as LIRL, REIL, and PAPI lights. Both VOR/DME and NDB approaches are available.

BANKs
Banks in Panama City and David are open normal business hours, Monday through Friday. There are branches of Bank of America., Citibank, N.A., BankBoston, N.A., Bank of China, Bank of Nova Scotia, American Express Bank, Banque Nationale de Paris, and The Chase Manhattan Bank.

BARS
There will be full service cocktail lounges or bars at Club Marlin Pacifica which will provide service to the pool, tennis courts, and beach.

BOATS
Club Marlin Members will be provided with either a 31’ or 35’ Cobo Express fishing boat, in addition to the assortment of Hobie Cats and day-sailers available. A rental fee will be charged for the larger sailboats. Fishing and sailboats will also be available to non-members for a fee.

CAR RENTAL
There will be some jeeps for rent in David, Panama. In Panama City you can rent a wide range of cars including Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, and Panama Rent-A-Car.

CREDIT CARDS
Club Marlin Pacifica will accept: American Express, Diners’ Club, MasterCard, and Visa, as well as U.S. Travelers Checks, however personal checks are honored only from Members.

ELECTRICITY
Club Marlin Pacifica will use solar power when possible but will also have its own electric power generating plant providing 120 volts–60 cycles–single phase which is the same as other cities in Panama.

EXCHANGE RATE
Panama Balboas and U.S. dollars are equal and can be used interchangeably any place in Panama.

INFORMATION
The Club Marlin Pacifica front office will be the main source of information.

KEYS
Please remember to return room keys to the front desk when you leave Club Marlin Pacifica, although keys can be mailed should you forget.

LANGUAGE
Spanish is the official language, although English is widely spoken and understood in the cities.

LAUNDRY
Club Marlin Pacifica will provide basic laundry and cleaning services.

LOST & FOUND
A Lost & Found service will be located at the front desk of the inn.

MAIL
Stamps will be available at the gift shop. Letters may be deposited in a mail box in the lobby of the inn and will be mailed from David daily.

MEDICAL SERVICES
A resident doctor will not be available at Club Marlin Pacifica. First Aid supplies are stocked and on-call personnel are available by contacting the front desk of the inn. Doctors may travel from David or Panama City or you may wish to fly to Panama City from David where 24-hour medical services are available. Travel insurance for Members will be available at a group rate on request.

PETS
No pets, with the exception of aid dogs for the handicapped, will be allowed.

RESTAURANTS
As the development matures, Club Marlin Pacifica will provide two restaurants–one elegant and one casual. There will be a beach barbeque each week, at which you can enjoy grilling that special fish you landed yourself.

SAFE DEPOSITS
Valuables may be kept in a safe deposit box in your Casita or at the inn.

TELEPHONES
Satellite Telephone will be available from Club Marlin Pacifica.

TIME
Panama time is the same as U.S. Eastern Standard Time. There is no daylight saving time.

TIPPING
Waiters in the restaurants usually receive 15% for prompt service and baggage porters receive fifty cents per piece for good service.

TRANSPORTATION
Club Marlin Pacifica will provide you with the best transportation service available by contacting the front office of the inn.

TRAVEL TIME
From Panama City to David—70 mins
Panama City to Bogota—1:30 hrs Panama City to London—11:30 hrs
Panama City to Mexico City—4:00 hrs Panama City to Paris—12:00 hrs
Panama City to Toronto—8:00 hrs Panama City to Frankfurt—12:00 hrs

WATER
Panama’s water is among the cleanest in the world. You can drink it from the tap without concern. Sanitation regulations are strictly enforced.

WEARING APPAREL
Dress at Club Marlin Pacifica, David, and Panama City is casual except in some restaurants and Casinos.

WEATHER
The weather is pleasantly tropical with uniform temperatures the year around, averaging 75°–87° F. The tropical season is from mid-May to December and usually means one warm shower each day. The rest of the year is dry with gentle trade winds. There has never been a recorded hurricane in the Bay of Chiriqui.