Boquete, Panama

Boquete (pronounced “Bo-ket-ta”) is located due north of David on highway 41 off the Panamerican Highway. It is about 41 km / 25.5 miles, or 45-minute ride from David. It’s at an elevation of 1,200 meters / 3,900 feet, above sea level along the Caldera River, in a mountainous area. It was founded in 1911 and is very popular with tourists, Ex-Pats, and Panamanians, due to its cooler climate and lush green surroundings.

   

Some of the best coffee in the world is grown in this area, and the town is located at the base of the Volcán Barú, an active volcano at 3,475 meters (11,400 feet), which is the tallest point of land in Panama. This is the place you come to for outdoor activities (coffee tours, hiking, river rafting, golf, trekking, canopy tours, zip lining, biking, bird watching, etc). This place has become very popular and there are many Ex-pats that now call this home.

 

Boquete is located in a beautiful valley, located right next to the river, Rio Caldera. The valley is open to the south only and is surrounded by beautiful mountains on the other three sides. To the West of town is Volcán Barú, which offers spectacular views from anywhere in town. Most of the town and buildings are located on the west side of the river, but there are some hotels and sightseeing places to visit on the other side of the river, which is accessible by turning east on Calle 4a Sur from downtown. The road crosses the river via a nice steel bridge. The river, even in the dry season is fast moving with rapids all the way up and down the valley. There are plenty of waterfalls and other points of interest throughout the valley.

 

With restaurants, coffee shops, hotels / motels, tours and lots of souvenir shops in the valley, you can easily spend a week or more visiting. You will quickly see why so many Ex-Pats and Panamanians have decided to call this valley home.

Some of the best things to do in the valley are:

The Cafe Ruiz Coffee Tour – This is a half day tour and is worth your time. Our guide Carlos was an experienced coffee grower and brewer, and he will walk you through the whole process from planting to the brewing of the best coffee in the world. He is also quite the comedian and kept the tour laughing and learning all the time. You really hate for this tour to end, there is so much to see and learn regarding coffee.

A walking tour, by Boquete Outdoor Adventure Tours – Cloud Forest tour – Pipeline Trail. This is another half day adventure that is easy, but beautiful, and you will see lots of butterflies, birds, flowers, waterfalls and other animals all along the trail. It follows the town’s water pipeline, along a stream, up one of the many valleys climbing up the volcano.

 

There are so many small streams, waterfalls, and beautiful vistas throughout this valley that you must make sure to bring a camera, and don’t forget to turn around or you might just miss a view that will remain with you for the rest of your life.

If I was not looking for a beach town to retire in, this would be on top of my list for places to move to.

My next blog will be about Bocas del Toro.