Boquete is a paradise, for outdoor enthusiasts, in northern Panama. Find out everything you need to know with this complete visitor’s guide. Town surrounds the Caldera River, nestled in the Green Mountain Highlands. The elevation sits at 1,200 meters (3,937 feet). Ranging between 2,600 m (8,530 ft) at its lowest point, and 4,000 m (13,123 ft) at the highest. Boquete is part of the Chiriquí province, only 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the Costa Rica border.
This charming, quiet, postcard mountain village was unknown until the early 2000’s. It was an unremarkable agriculture-based village. It had zero tourism and few foreigners living in the area. That changed when tourism magazines marketed Boquete as the “Land of Eternal Spring”. Like how Colombia markets Medellín today.
Around the same time, “Valle Escondido”, an expat residential development, opened. Both factor into the small population boom during the early part of the millennia. Publicity paired with a temperate climate make for an excellent cost of living. Combine that with its natural environment to propagate a fast-growing economy.
Yet, archeological evidence suggests that life began in the valley between 300 AD and 600 BC. Several ruins of settlements, along with petroglyphs, evidence the ancient activity. Indigenous tribes have used these Highlands as an isolated refuge since Spanish Colonization.
True colonization didn’t occur until the 19th century. When locals from Bugaba, Gualaza, and David settled the region. Although roughly 14% of the population are foreigners from more than 30 countries. Most are from Europe, the United States, and Canada. Panama declared the district of Boquete official April 11, 1911. As of 2020, Boquete’s population sits at 23,405 inhabitants.
Despite the recent tourism boom, Boquete’s main industry remains agriculture, especially coffee. Expats from the United States started the first coffee plantation and agricultural farms. Attracted by the clean air and excellent potable water. Today, Boquete boasts some of the finest coffee beans in the world. It’s growing conditions are perfect, for the world-famous “Geisha” coffee.
Geisha coffee cultivates in the center of La Amistad International Park. These sought-after coffee beans recently sold in the “Best of Panama” international auction. They fetched an exorbitant price of $2,568 per pound. The excessive price shattered the previous record for highest selling coffee from Panama.
Climate Expectations
With good coffee comes lots of rain. The wet season is oppressive, extending for 7.3 months, between April 29 and December 7th. Boquete’s remarkable landscapes would not be possible without heaps of rain. October tends to be the wettest month, averaging 8.6 inches of rain.
Dry season fills in the rest of the year, featuring hot, muggy, partly cloudy weather. While February tends to be the driest month, averaging .09 inches. Boquete features equal length days and nights, with a year-round 12-hour light cycle. Temperatures vary little, rarely reaching below 12°C (53°F), or above 26°C (78°F).
Boquete features crisp mountain air, a lively atmosphere, and tons of vibrant flowers. Slightly off the beaten track, it’s a little cheaper than some of Panama’s other destinations. This one is popular with backpackers, locals, tourists, and retirees alike.
Things To Do
Boquete features something for everyone. Pick from an array of daily activities that’ll keep anyone busy. Take a Coffee Plantation (Café Fincas) tour for $30 each. Go white water rafting down the Chiriquí River for $65-90 per person. Sign up for a zipline course through a cloud forest. Traverse 12 lines, spanning more than 5 kilometers (3 miles), through the air, for $65 per person. Spend an afternoon melt away any worries with a soak in the Hot Springs Caldera. A round trip with a taxi cost between $30-36. Entrance is $3 each and is on private property. Heads up, the entrance can be difficult to find without a tour.
Get away from the crowded marketplaces and soak in some nature. Hike the Lost Waterfalls Trail, Pipeline Trail, or the famous Quetzal Trail. Go for a horseback ride to picturesque landscapes or waterfalls. Spike those adrenaline levels with an afternoon rock climbing. Or absorb some culture and visit the International Jazz Festival in February. Find the best tour prices in person. Make any reservations before arriving in Panama with Viator for good deals and peace of mind.
Volcan Baru
Volcan Baru is Boquete’s main tourist attraction. It’s the tallest point in Panama. Tourists can reach the summit via a grueling hike or on a 4×4 Jeep tour. It’s possible to hike without a tour, but not recommended. The demanding trail stretches for 17.6 miles to the summit. This is one of the most popular things to do in Boquete, so expect to see other tourists on the trail. The summit offers incredible panoramic views. It is one of the few places in the world to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the same time.
Getting There
Getting to Boquete is simple. The most expensive, and convenient, route is a rental car and Google Maps. Both Taxis and Uber are possible but expensive. Public transportation departs from all major destinations around Boquete.
David is the closest big city. It features several refurbished busses for $1.75 per person, leaving every 45 minutes until 9:45 pm. Keep an eye out for the classic yellow USA school bus with a big “Boquete” sign painted across the top. Find the cheapest bus prices with Busbud if you’re like me and prefer to show up with your ticket in hand. If coming from Bocas del Toro, there’s a direct shuttle for $15 per person.
Accommodations
When looking for the cheapest accommodations in town, search for La Casa de Doña Cata. Book a night in a dorm for $11 per bed through Hostelworld to find the best prices. La Casa offers a full kitchen, several sitting areas, and a patio with an excellent view outback. Find more lavish accommodations through Booking.com. Booking has the cheapest hotels and guest rooms available to rent.
Where to Eat
Boquete is home to some of Panama’s best dining. Visit “The Rock” for higher end dining, from 12 pm to 930 pm, and try their infamous suckling pork dish. Find local food for a local price at Fonda de la Merry, from 7 am to 7 pm. Be sure to try a favorite of locals, and tourists, at Big Daddy’s Grill. Big Daddy’s features midrange prices with excellent service. They’re open from 12 pm to 9 pm every Tuesday through Sunday.
I loved my time in this picturesque mountain village. Although, it was June when I passed through and one of the rainiest times of the year. The afternoons were clear, but only for one to three hours before getting dark. This severely limited my exploration of the region and its wonderful activities.
My afternoon walks were fantastic. The poor weather allowed me to catch up on writing. Unfortunately, my lack of rain gear caused me to miss out on hiking Volcan Baru. Thus, I will return. I want to see the sunrise from the summit and both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on either side of the continent.
Final Thoughts
Boquete is a bucket list destination, especially when traveling Central America. The temperate climate and ripe mountain air should intrigue anyone passing through. This adventure destination is one of the more affordable stops in Panama. The secret’s out, more and more people are discovering how wonderful Boquete is. So, do not hesitate and make those reservations today!
Quick Notes
- Coffee Plantation Tours $30/person
- White Water Rafting $65-90/person
- Zipline through a cloud forest $65/person
- Hot Springs Caldera $30-36 taxi and entrance is $3/person and can be difficult to find without a tour
- Busses from David leave every 45 minutes until 9:45pm for $1.75/person
- Direct shuttle from Bocas del Toro for $15/person
