Puerto Coquira and Isla Chepillo

The area near Lake Bayano includes more than just the lake. One of Panama's ports that receives fresh seafood every day is not on the ocean. It's on a river, the Rio Bayano. When the water of Lake Bayano passes through the hydroelectric plant that is Panama's largest source of electricity, it continues to the ocean as the Rio Bayano. Near the city of Chepo, there is a small port called Puerto Coquira. This unusual river port is also "home" to many boats that fish the river and ocean and can also take visitors on trips. One interesting place that can be visited only by boat is Isla Chepillo. Below are some photos. Click on them for larger versions.

Most of Panama's "rios" (rivers) are very small, but Rio Bayano is one of the largest, as you can see on the left. As you near the ocean, it gets much wider and more impressive. The port itself is simple as the second photo demonstrates, but always active. If you are lucky to arrive when the fishermen bring in their catch, you can choose from among many different varieties of very fresh seafood at stores like the one above.

As at every major port in Panama, the government has an office to oversee its operation, as can be seen in the photo at the left. In the center, you see one of the many fishing boats that can remind you of Panama's Diablos Rojos ("red devil" painted buses). Finally, where there is seafood, there are restaurants. The small restaurant above serves simple inexpensive meals and the fish are always fresh!

This port is "old-fashioned" and it will probably be modernized in the next few years, but we think it is charming as it is now and we encourage you to visit this little piece of Panamanian history before it is "improved"!

If you hire a boat at Puerto Coquira, it can take you down the river to the Pacific Ocean. As you leave the mouth of the river, you will see Isla Chepillo as in the photo on the left. As you get closer, you will see a little fishing village that stretches along the coast of the island facing the mainland. When you leave the boat, one of the first buildings you will see above the beach is the little church on the right.

Once you are in the village, you will find a concrete sidewalk that stretches from one end of the village to the other along the coast. The village is charming and the people are friendly. As you can see from the center photo, the residents take good care of their homes. The final photo looks back toward the mainland.

There is a little store with cold drinks and snacks available. At one end of the island, there is a public beach. And we are told by residents that a small hotel will soon be built on the island. We look forward to that. Isla Chepillo may be very small and it may seem isolated, but it's the closest island to Panama City with good surfing, good ocean fishing, and a very pleasant environment.

If you want to visit, take the highway past the little police checkpoint, past the University of Panama's "east campus", and turn right at the paved road about 100 meters/yards from the police checkpoint. In a few miles, you will enter Chepo's simple business district, full of shops and markets. There you will find an intersection. It is very obvious. Turn right and follow that road. It will take you to the parking lot of Puerto Coquira.

If you are interested in renting a boat, the price will depend on your ability to negotiate, the availability of boats, and the size and speed of the boat. In our experience, you can spend as little as $40 for a round-trip to Isla Chepillo or as much as $100.