| Check out our free interactive Boquete holiday guide and discover Boquete's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Boquete before tell us your holiday tips and help other travellers enjoy great holidays in Boquete, Panama. |
| Free Boquete Holiday Guide |
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Boquete was founded April 11th, 1911. In Spanish, the word Boquete means ‘gap’ or ‘opening.’ It was precisely this gap in the Continental Divide that provided travellers, in the 1850’s, a more northerly short cut to the Pacific, en route to the goldfields around San Francisco. Many of those first explorers returned to settle in Boquete.
These settlers came from local districts, but the Swiss, Yugoslavs, Swedish, Germans and North Americans predominated. This charming mountain village tucked away on the eastern slopes of the Volcan Barú is known to produce some of the sweetest oranges and richest coffees in all of Panama. Boquete is quickly becoming a destination for visitors seeking the most enchanting climate in the world.
Boquete's healthy climate is believed by many to be the secret to longevity since many native Boqueteños have lived well on past their one-hundredth birthdays. |
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Coffee Farm Tours - Boquete is home to a number of "specialty" or gourmet coffee farms. You can take a fascinating tour of a coffee farm and the processing plants which prepare the coffee bean for consumption. The coffee farms are set on beautiful mountainsides with the coffee bushes growing in banks on steep slopes. All tours end with a delicious cup of gourmet coffee or a "cupping" which is the coffee equivalent of a wine tasting. Café Ruiz offers an excellent and inexpensive tour of their farm and processing plant.
The Kotowa Coffee Estate is a gorgeous coffee farm featuring two processing plants- one antique and one modern. The tour also ends with a "cupping". At Finca Lereda, you will experience a deluxe tour. This is an day ramble through the spectacular mountainside farm which has been in the Collins family for several generations. The tour includes a trip high up the mountain to their hillside ranch house, a tour of the coffee processing plant, a cupping and a gourmet typical Panamanian lunch served at the ranch.
Baru Volcano - This 14,500 feet volcano is Panama's highest point. Be warned , a is trip to the top of this volcano is an adventure for only those who are fit and adventurous. The road to the top is anything but a road; it is steep, muddy and relentless. A portion of the road that departs from Boquete is paved, or mostly so, but then changes to a dirt, rocky road at the entrance to the park. Entrance to the park is free and camping is permitted in designated areas, with no limit on the amount of time you spend in the park. It get quite cold at the top are very cool, particularly during the dry season months, and it is advisable to take sweaters, jackets, and long pants with.
If you plan to spend the night you would be foolish not to bring cold weather gear. It is said that you can see both oceans from the top on clear days. During the wet season, expect heavy cloud cover, drizzle, or rain. Some trails exist on the top, leading to either side of the crater. Other trails to smaller craters also exist, however, it is recommended that you make any attempt with the assistance of a guide.
Cascada San Ramon - This magnificent waterfall, approximately 45-65 meters (150-200 ft.) high, is located just outside of the town of Boquete and sits just off to the right side of the Caldera River. Cascada San Ramon is well worth the visit as there are some good photographic opportunities here. A bit further up the road from here you'll find a bridge that provides a terrific view of the Caldera River, as it heads south towards Boquete.
Horseback Riding and Scooters - Boquete is surrounded by mountain roads and is the ideal place to ride horses or whiz around on a scooter. Gringo Scooters in town offers scooters by the hour and your hotel host can tell you where you can rent horses by the hour.
Hiking - The geography of the land surrounding Boquete is a hiker's dream. The public trails throughout the area have been used by the farmers for generations. The forests are magnificent. As you gain elevation in one cloud forest nearby, you pass four distinct types of vegetation. Enjoy exuberant greenery and picturesque views, including waterfalls. You can go with a guide or you can hike the main roads yourself.
Strolling Around Town - The village lends itself to easy strolls. You can visit the riverside fair grounds with prize winning flowers displays, the small Huaca Museum, handicrafts shops, coffee shops and dine at one of Boquete's fine restaurants. A must-do is a visit to "My Garden is Your Garden" a beautiful private garden of local, wealthy family filled with whimsical figures made of flowers. |
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| Panamanian food generally consists of rice, beans, plantain, a choice of meat, salad and fruit juice. |
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At the Bistro Boquete - This little establishment situated in an old wooden building on the little town's main street is a tastefully and subtly decorated restaurant and bar. They feature continental foods flavoured with the sauces and spices. Prices are reasonable and the servings generous. Try the curried chicken salad made of chicken, apples and raisins in a mildly spicy curry sauce with lettuce, romaine, cabbage, tomato slices and shredded carrots and comes with a half-pita and an olive oil and herb sauce for dipping the bread or a dressing for the vegetables.
Casona Mexicana - Situated in another old wooden building. This mexican restaurant gives you excellent alternatives to the usual clichés. Try their tortilla soup as an appetizer and the mixed fajita as an entree. The soup is made of fried corn meal and Mexican cheese in a tomato concoction. It was simple, different and excellent. The fajitas comes with hot and moist little wheat tortillas, refried black beans topped with grated cheese, a braised mixture of beef, chicken, Spanish onions and sweet and mildly spicy peppers, and shredded lettuce with a dollop of sour cream.
La Huaca Pasta and Pizza - Here you will find some of the best pizza in Panama. Both the dough and cheese are imported from the US and the baking is done in a stone baked pizza oven. It is housed in a beautifully refurbished 1940 home adorned with paintings and includes a magnificent bar. Reasonable prices for excellent food. |
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| Santa Fe Bar and Grill - The Santa Fe offers affordable burgers and Southwestern US style food in a beautiful setting along the river side and next to Boquete's flower- filled fair grounds. You will also find a very popular bar with pool tables and foos ball. It always time to party at the Santa Fe. |
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Botanical Gardens - Just north of Boquete, en route to Cascada San Ramon, lies a privately funded botanical garden, which is set around a private home. There is no fee to enter, however, donations are welcomed. The trails are very well maintained, and crisscross throughout the front and backyard, offering terrific photographic opportunities.
Virtually all of the local plant species are represented there, neatly arranged for pleasant viewing. While no hours are posted, your visit should be accommodated between 9:00am to 4:00pm. Well worth a visit. |
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