David

David is the capital of Panama's Chiriquí Province and the largest city in western Panama, serving as the commercial and transport hub for the region. Located near the Costa Rican border and the Pan-American Highway, it combines a busy agricultural and trade centre with easy access to mountains, coffee highlands and Pacific beaches.

The city was founded in 1602 and became the capital of Chiriquí when the province was created in 1849. Its colonial past remains visible in the historic core around Parque Cervantes, where the Catedral de San José de David stands on the site of the earlier Ermita de San José, and in the city's ties to the Thousand Days' War and a short-lived regional railway.

Visitors can explore the lively Mercado Público, the Museo de Historia y Arte José de Obaldía and the shaded paths of the central square. Beyond the centre, the Pedregal port district, growing residential and commercial areas such as San Pablo Viejo, and easy day trips to Boquete, Volcán and the Gulf of Chiriquí make David a practical base for exploring the province.

David's economy is built on agriculture, cattle raising, trade and banking, and the city is a key link between Panama and Costa Rica. Enrique Malek International Airport and the Pan-American Highway support business travel, while regional commerce and conferences keep the city active throughout the year.

Local restaurants serve Panamanian staples such as sancocho, ceviche and patacones alongside coffee grown in the nearby Boquete highlands. For leisure and business travellers alike, David offers an accessible regional hub with practical services, a warm lowland climate and convenient connections to Panama's highland and coastal destinations.