Area Points of Interest

This western area of Panama holds a secret only recently revealed. It was discovered that two species of whales meet and play off the island of Parida in the Gulf of Chiriqui near the Costa Rican border. The bay is sprinkled with many small tropical islands protected by the Panama National Marine Park. The full name is Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriqui and it encompasses 14,740 hectares (approximately 36,000 acres). To the northwest and just 30 miles off the coast of Costa Rica is the Cano Island Biological Reserve, considered one of Costa Rica’s most valuable archeological sites. The area offers abundant sea life and is considered one of the best adventure diving locations in the world.

From your vantage point aboard ship, as well as from some of the islands, you will see 11,491 foot Volcan Baru, an ancient volcano, at the center of the Isthmus of Panama. Ashore you can drive over the Continental Divide to Bocas Del Toro and behold one of the most spectacular rain forests in the world. At its narrowest point (except at the Panama Canal) the Isthmus is only 40 miles wide and, when you reach the half-way point, you’ll have climbed over two miles high. From one of the points on this Coedillera Central Ridge, you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

The Cordillera Talamanca Ridge runs from Boquete, in Panama, Northwest approximately 120 miles into Costa Rica and encompasses the Parque Internacional La Amistad (The Friendship Park). This park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990. It covers an area of 207,000 hectares (approximately 511,290 acres) and encompasses three types of life zones, from open forest at the lower elevations to dense and varied rain forest at the higher elevations. The annual rainfall can reach 160 inches, with the average temperature in the sub-tropical zone ranging from 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cloud capped peaks of the park are home to some of Panama’s rarest birds, such as the Resplendent Quetzal, whose tail feathers are over three times the length of its body. In 1992 there were 893 species of birds counted near Boquete, a small, picturesque town at the 4,000 foot level. The rainfall rushing to the ocean via the Chiriqui and Chiriqui Viejo Rivers offers a breathtaking adventure to white water rafters.

The tectonic origin of Volcan Baru in Parque Nacional Volcan Baru (an area of 14,322 hectares (approximately 35,375 acres) created an incredible ridge of mountains and rainforests that extend the length of Costa Rica and into Nicaragua and Honduras. Baru is the highest point in Panama causing a mini-climate in the Gulf of Chiriqui and the surrounding mainland, with gentle breezes drawn from the higher elevation. In addition to rainforest and climate, the area is renowned for its beautiful coffee plantations, annual flower and coffee festival in Pueblo Bouquete (voted the best place in the world to retire), and the high standard of affordable living.

Club Marlin Pacifica Resort is scheduled to be developed in four stages:
Phase I — Begin construction of the marina, small hotel, casitas, and village, and to begin the lot and Villa development.
Phase II — Expand to include construction of the clubhouse, inns, and shops—begin lot development.
Phase III — Expand the marina and village. The marina is designed to accommodate luxury visitor yachts, long- and short-term slip rentals, the Marlin fleet, pleasure craft, and marine fuel and supplies.
Phase IV — Complete development of all casitas and villas.