September 22, 2026, 7:41 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
On September 22, it was that time again: The TRAVELBOOK Award 2026 honored the most exciting trend travel destinations for 2027. In the Central and South America category, the Boca Chica region in Panama triumphed over strong competition, leaving Petén in Guatemala, Jalapão in Brazil, Parque Nacional Iberá in Argentina, and Nuquí in Colombia in the following places. Why the region in Panama deserves the title of Secret Travel Destination of the Year can be read here.
The Corregimiento Boca Chica in Panama
Boca Chica is both a small village and an administrative district in the San Lorenzo district, which belongs to the Chiriquí province. The latter may sound familiar to some: Numerous banana plantations stretch out here, with their produce distributed worldwide by the similarly named banana company Chiquita.
In the far south, on the Gulf of Chiriquí, lies the town of Boca Chica on the mainland, surrounded by numerous islands. The sea winds its way between the landmasses like branching river arms. The islands bear a variety of names–from the “Island of the Dead” to the “Nonsense Island.” At around 30 square kilometers, Isla Boca Brava is the largest island in the region. It is only a few minutes away from the mainland by water taxi.
Nature and Wildlife on the Islands of Boca Chica
The region is characterized by large and small islands. Here, nature is still largely allowed to grow as it pleases: Dense jungle, tall palms, and tropical fruits are not pushed back for tourist facilities or paths. Yet, a large part of the islands can be explored via narrow trails that often seem more cleared than constructed.
The paths lead through tropical dry forest with its characteristic kapok trees and massive roots. There’s rustling everywhere between the trees: Howler monkeys swing from branch to branch, colorful toucans and butterflies fly among them, while iguanas glide silently over the leaf-covered ground.
At the coasts, crescent-shaped beaches transition from large rock formations to fine sand. Surrounded by coconut palms, you can enjoy undisturbed tranquility here. The water is clear and pleasantly warm. The clearest water is found where the sea is particularly deep. In the Bahía de los Muertos, the “Bay of the Dead,” there is (ironically) a very lively coral reef.
What to Do in Boca Chica in Panama?
It stands to reason to explore these waters by diving! With a rented boat or various tour providers, you can reach the bay protected by the wild Pacific from most islands. Especially around the islands of Gamez and Bolaños, white sandy beaches offer easy access to shallow coral reefs. A little further out, there are excellent conditions for swimming with giant mantas, sea turtles, or even dolphins.
There is also much to discover on land. The islands can be easily explored on foot. These are less demanding hikes and more extended walks through diverse nature. It becomes adventurous when the paths lead over coastal rocks or when you try to snag a coconut directly from a palm tree.
Speaking of fishing: The waters around Boca Chica are particularly popular with deep-sea anglers. The depths of the Pacific harbor an impressive variety of species. On guided fishing expeditions or with private yachts, anglers can hope for big catches here. With a bit of luck, larger marine creatures may also appear in the waters off the coast.
On the secluded beaches, you can not only relax, swim, or snorkel, but at the right time of year, you can also watch whales. The humpback whales feel protected in the nearby UNESCO-listed marine park, where they give birth to their young and stay for a while in the Gulf of Chiriquí before moving on. Especially in the late summer months, they can be observed from boats or even from the islands.
Also interesting: 9 reasons why you must visit Panama
Best Travel Time
The best travel time for Boca Chica is between December and April. During these months, the dry season provides plenty of sunshine, calm seas, and ideal conditions for snorkeling, diving, and island hopping. However, even outside these months, the trip is worthwhile: Between July and October, humpback whales pass through the Gulf of Chiriquí, making the region one of the best places in Panama for whale watching.
Getting There by Bus and Car
Panama can be easily traveled by rental car, private shuttle services, or public long-distance buses. The country’s main traffic artery is the Panamericana, which runs from the Costa Rican border to the east of Panama. Boca Chica is about an hour’s drive from David, the largest city in the Chiriquí province with its own airport. From Boca Chica, water taxis can take you to the islands and most of the region’s hotels, lodges, and beaches in just a few minutes.
The Travelbook Award 2026: A Look at All the Winners
Nuquí in Colombia Is One of the Best Hidden Travel Destinations in Central and South America
Location of Boca Chica in Panama
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK Award
Again this year, we say it: All nominated regions, countries, and the like for the TRAVELBOOK Award are already winners. Even if, unlike Boca Chica in Panama, they did not achieve overall victory. Because: Every secret travel destination has already made it to the shortlist in advance, meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. For the first time this year, not only TRAVELBOOK readers but also BILD readers voted. In total, more than 150,000 votes were cast to crown the trend travel destinations for 2027.