Located a stone’s throw from the Costa Rican border in Panamá’s westernmost province of Chiriquí, Boquete is perfect for those seeking fun, adventure, and a respite from hectic Panamá City. It’s become a bit of an expat magnet in past years, but remains a beautiful place to visit for a taste of the outdoors, at a much cooler temperature than the rest of the tropical country.
From hikes in the cloud forest to guided tours of coffee plantations, whitewater rafting, ziplining, and more, Boquete is packed with fun for all ages and activity levels. Add in its cute town feel and a thriving local restaurant scene, and you’ll certainly enjoy your time here.
Panamá in general is an insanely bio-diverse place, its thin isthmus shape leading to a stunning variety of plants, animals, and microclimates– as well as easy access to both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. In fact, Panama has the largest number of species of terrestrial plants in the world, as well as thousands of different mammals, birds, and amphibians calling its lush rainforests, mountains, and coasts home.
Boquete is no different in terms of its astounding biodiversity, but its climate certainly is. Due to its location, nestled in the valley of the imposing Volcán Barú, it never gets hot. While it can be muggy and overcast, temperatures are always mild (and sometimes even chilly), with a persistent misty drizzle locals call bajareque and a feeling of “year-round spring”. Temperatures rarely fall below 60 or above 75, perfect for hiking.
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Since Boquete is about a 6-hour drive from Panama City (or a fast, but pricey, plane ride), it’s worth spending 2-3 full days here. Accommodations are pretty economical, and though many tend towards being a bit rustic, the mountain air, cool nights, and quiet surroundings guarantee you’ll sleep like a baby.
There are ample fabulous restaurants to check out (Tre Scalini, Donde Giselle, Sugar and Spice, and Retro Gusto are all crowd pleasers), as well as local brewery Boquete Brewing, or you can shop at the variety of pharmacies, corner stores, or larger grocery stores for whatever you need while you’re there.
Things to Do in Boquete
In terms of activities, you’re spoiled for choice! In addition to hiking and bird-watching, there are opportunities for canyoning, horseback riding, hot springs, and more. Here’s our round up of some great options for your Boquete trip.
We had a great experience booking our tours with Boquete Tree Trek, a local tour operator offering bird-watching, tea and coffee tours, guided hikes, and various adventure activities. They are super conveniently located in Boquete’s town center, and all you have to do is pop into their office and sign up for the tours you’re interested in. We also found their prices to be quite reasonable, with most tours costing about $30USD per person.
This trip, we ended up choosing to go on their “puentes colgantes” (hanging bridges) hike, as well as a coffee tour, both departing from their office. We’ve done whitewater rafting and ziplining with them in the past, and everything is laid-back and well-planned. You really can’t go wrong with what you choose.
1. Puentes colgantes hike
The puentes colgantes are an absolutely unforgettable experience and definitely our top recommendation. The hike leads you up into the cloud forest, trekking over 6 hanging bridges spread over about 5 kilometers. The bridges range from 70 to 135 meters in length, 10 to 75 meters from the ground.
You’ll see waterfalls, lush canopies, rivers, and all sorts of critters as you ascend, suddenly breaking through the treetops to breathtaking surrounding views. Keep in mind that the bridges swing quite a bit, so this may be a little intimidating for those afraid of heights.
In terms of physical fitness, this is a short and fairly easy hike, but keep in mind that it rains quite a bit and the trail gets very slippery. It’s a good idea to bring a poncho or rain gear with you, as well as shoes with good tread. All in all, the round trip ride takes about 4 hours, so you’ll be back at lunchtime. If you feel so inclined, you can grab a bite and then take off on an afternoon activity– which is actually what we ended up doing.
2. Coffee tour
Boquete is known the world over for its coffee, particularly the “geisha” variety. Selling for hundreds of dollars per pound at international coffee auctions, it is often said to be the best coffee in the world.
There are several family-owned coffee farms in the vicinity that offer catas, or coffee tastings, alongside tours of their plantations. The tours are absolutely fascinating, walking you through the different types of beans, the production process, and beyond.
Our tour was of the Don Pepe Estate Coffee Farm, one of the country’s oldest coffee plantations– it dates all the way back to 1898. Other popular farms in the area include Finca Lerida, Kotowa, and Café Ruiz.
3. Adventure tourism
While we didn’t partake in Boquete’s more adventurous pursuits this time around, we have done them in the past.
There are ample opportunities for whitewater rafting, ziplining above the tree canopy, and many, many other trails– some popular options include Los Quetzales, Bajo Mono Loop, the Lost Waterfalls, and El Pianista. Los Quetzales in particular is famous for the (admittedly small) chance of seeing a resplendent quetzal along the 10 kilometer trail between Boquete and nearby Cerro Punta. If you’re a bird-watching fan, the quetzal is said to be one of the 10 birds you must see in your lifetime.
Speaking of hiking adventures, climbing Volcán Barú is about as adventurous as it gets in Boquete. Barú is the highest point in Panama, with a summit at 3,474 meters above sea level. It’s possible to hike it with a guide, but keep in mind this isn’t really for the faint of heart– you get started in the wee hours of the morning and it’s a very long and tough trek. Alternatively, you can take a 4×4 up to the summit at dawn for a great sunrise view.
There’s a really good chance that you’ll want to stay longer than 3 days in Boquete. The crisp mountain air, beautiful scenery, and laid-back pace of life are certainly enchanting, and the ease of access to the gorgeous nature surrounding the town gives you a wealth of options for tours and sightseeing.
We hope this guide helped you plan some options for your trip, and we’d love to hear about any hikes or treks you did in the comments. As always, you can pin this guide for later on Pinterest here or by clicking on the images below, and happy trip planning!
For something totally different, check out our guide to a day trip to San Blas, an amazing island archipelago straight out of a Caribbean fairy tale– located just a few hours’ drive from the city.
