David

© Ricardo Morales

The city of David (officially San José de David) is the capital of the Chiriquí Province and the third-largest city in Panama. It is the dominant urban, commercial, and transportation hub for all of western Panama, known for its convenience and robust economy.

Location and Climate

• Location: David is situated in the Pacific lowlands of south-central Chiriquí Province, located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the border with Costa Rica. It sits below the foothills of the Talamanca mountain range.
• Climate: The city has a hot and notably humid tropical monsoon climate. It is often cited as having one of the warmest climates in Central America. Daytime temperatures are consistently high, often reaching the high 80s to low 90s °F (around 32 °C). Air conditioning is a necessity for comfort.
• Seasons: It experiences a short, hot dry season from mid-December to mid-April, and a long, hot wet season for the remainder of the year.

Economy and Lifestyle

• Economic Powerhouse: David is the economic center of western Panama, generating over half of the Chiriquí Province's GDP. Its economy is diverse, focused on commerce, finance, and industrial sectors like manufacturing, food processing (sugar, coffee), and high technology.
• Affluence and Services: It is a relatively affluent city with a strong middle class. David serves as a regional capital, providing all the major services and amenities for the surrounding province and the highlands: large shopping malls (Federal Mall), big-box stores (like PriceSmart), car dealerships, international banks, and two full-service private hospitals.
• Lifestyle: The lifestyle is bustling and focused on commerce and convenience. It is a major hub for imports and exports with Costa Rica and a central location for agricultural products from the fertile Chiriquí region (often called the country's "breadbasket").

Attractions and Transportation

• Gateway to Adventure: David's primary importance to visitors is its role as the central transportation hub for the region:
  • Highlands: It is the quick access point (about 30-45 minutes by road) to the popular, cooler mountain towns like Boquete and Volcán, which are famous for coffee, hiking, and the Volcán Barú National Park.
  • Pacific Coast: It is close to the Pacific coast, including beaches like Playa Barqueta and the departure point for exploring the islands and marine life in the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park.
• Transportation: The city is a major transit node, with its central bus terminal providing frequent service across the country and to the Costa Rican border. The Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV) offers domestic flights, connecting the region to Panama City and Bocas del Toro.
• Local Attractions: Within the city, points of interest include Parque Cervantes (the central plaza), the Catedral San José de David, and the location for the annual Feria Internacional de David (a major trade and agriculture convention).