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Boquete
From Wikitravel
Boquete is a village in Chiriquí province, in western Panama.
[edit] Get in
- From David : There are several buses leaving every 45 min until 8 pm. Travel time is around 1 h and cost is 1.45 USD, you pay when getting off.
- From San Jose in Costa Rica : There is one morning bus leaving from the Tracopa terminal at 7:30am (15-20 USD). It takes about 9 hours to get to David. From David see above.
- From Panama City : AirPanama [1] and Aeroperlas have daily flights to David. The flight takes about 45 minutes, prices range from $60 to $80 each way.
[edit] Get around
Boquete is a very cozy mountain village so you won't have problems exploring the city on foot. For the surroundings you can either use taxi (one dollar brings you quite far) or the local area buses which leave from the central park. There are also many tour companies that offer guided trips through the mountains to see waterfalls, coffee plantations, the cloud forest, and the National Park.
[edit][add listing] See
Boquete is known as the "Valley of the Flowers". Nestled in the northern highlands of Panama, near the border to Costa Rica. Boquete shares some of the same mountain ranges with Costa Rica, as well as, some of the incredible wildlife and rain forests. However, because it is not as well known, and a 'road less traveled', prices are lower, and it is not as commercial. There are hostels for $5 a night, and 5 star hotels for $300 a night. You can hike for 1/2 a day, or all day, and still have a chance to see the Resplendent Quetzal, or a Howler Monkey in the wild. The Boquete Valley is rich with agriculture as well; strawberries, oranges, and coffee come from this region. The famous 'geisha' coffee, that was sold at auction, for $130 a pound, can be found growing on the rich Volcanic slopes. Adventure travel is a key reason that Boquete, a fairly small town, is growing in popularity for European, American and Asian travelers. It is difficult to come to Boquete for just a couple of days and see all that it has to offer.
[edit][add listing] Do
- Reach the Top of the Volcano Baru - There are two ways to reach the summit of the Volcan Baru. You can hike which will take about 12 hours round trip. Or you can catch a ride with one of the 4 x 4 jeeps servicing the park; this option still takes about 8 hours, the road is very rough. Another option is the Quetzal Trail, one of the most famous trails in all of Panama, the Quetzal Trail; so named because it is the home of the rare Resplendent Quetzal. You can hike from Boquete to Cerro Punta, or the reverse. It is about a 5-7 hour hike, so it can be completed in one day.
- Visit a Coffee Plantation--See what all the buzz is about regarding coffee tours in Boquete; from 2 to 4 hours: Cafe Ruiz [2] and Kotowa.
- Whitewater River Rafting on the Chiriquí Viejo--Several companies offer 1/2 day and full day rafting excursions.
- Chiriqui River Rafting [3]
- Panama River Rafting
- Learn Spanish at Habla Ya Panama Language School
- Visit Paradise Garden [4] -The only Wildlife Rescue Center in Panama. Open daily from 10 to 4; $5 entrance fee helps to support the center.
- Zip Line through the Canopy of the Cloud Forest [5]
- Hot Springs Caldera
- Boquete Outdoor Adventures (BOA), Main Street, Boquete (Los Establos Mall), ☎ 011-507-720-2284, [6]. 9am-5pm. Whitewater, sea kayaking, multi-sport and family adventure vacations. edit
[edit][add listing] Drink
- Zanzibar. Jazz Bar, live band every other Friday edit
- La Cabaña Quite busy on Sundays.
- Amigos Bar is a nice and popular meeting point.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
There are several inexpensive hostels around and within a few blocks the central park. The more expensive ones are down the park close to the firefighters and the police.
- Hostal Paradiso, right opposite the bus station and the central park. Bit noisy since it's right on the street, mind your belongings.
- Nomba Hostel, (One block west and one block north of central park), ☎ 6401-6278 (6497-5672 (ryan@miradoradventures.com), [7]. They rent outdoors equipment (rainjackets, tents, bikes, warm gear, and arrange tours for you) at the tour office of Mirador Adventures inside the hostel. Dorm rooms (8 or 9 US) and single room (18 US). edit
- Rancho de Caldera, Caldera (25 minutes from downtown Boquete, 40 minutes from David), ☎ 507-772-8040, [8]. checkin: 2:00; checkout: 11:00. Rancho de Caldera is a serene and gorgeous eco-resort (totally off the grid) nestled in the mountains of Chiriqui; accommodations include large, spacious rooms, each with a wall of glass overlooking the mountains to the east, A/C, iPod docking station, TV, mini-refrigerator and free Internet. Activities include horseback riding, hiking and swimming in a beautiful infinity-edge pool. edit
- Boquete Mountain Casitas, Boquete, Chiriqui (Boquete is a 30 minute drive from David), ☎ 507-6613-1472, [9]. checkin: 2:00; checkout: 11:00. Some of the casitas are located within walking distance to the village while others are on private estates in the mountains. Has one 2 bedroom, 2 bath in the middle of an Organic Coffee Farm. edit
- Hostal Gaia, Boquete (On main street across from Roxane´s restaurant, next to Sugar & Spice.), ☎ 7201952, [10]. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 12:00. Here at our hostel you will find a pleasant atmosphere, a fully equipped kitchen and a dining room, WiFi, camping area, and laundry facilities. from $10. edit
- Boquete Paradise, ☎ 507-720-2278. Next to a roaring mountain stream and walking out with a view of the 11,500 ft. Volcan Baru right out of your front door. Each unit has a two bedrooms suite with full kitchen, that sleeps eight people. Breakfast is served in the morning $60 - $189. edit
- Hostel Mamallena, Parque Central (Right on the Central Park, 30 metres from the bus stop.), [11]. Free breakfast, WiFi internet, lounge, patio, laundry. Also has private rooms with private bathrooms. edit
- Panamonte Inn & Spa, Ave 11 de Abril, Boquete, ☎ +507-720-1327, [12]. Famous for its gracious hospitality, charm and exquisite cuisine, The Panamonte is the true definition of a country inn: a warm and friendly place for travelers seeking a pleasurable ambiance and personalized attention, a home away from home. Located at the foot of Barú Volcano, the Panamonte is the perfect base for exploring the Chiriquí Highlands, and it is the only full-service lodging option in Boquete, offering a deluxe spa, fireside lounge, excursion planning, and a regionally renowned gourmet restaurant. edit
[edit] Get out
- Take one of the frequent buses to David (Panama).
- Swim, fish, scuba, snorkel or surf in the cool, clear waters of the Gulf of Chiriqui, an hours' drive away. Go for a day trip or stay in the charming fishing village of Boca Chica, or on one of the island resorts on Boca Brava or Isla Palenque.
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