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The district of Boquete with a population of around 15,000
lies is the verdant cloud-forested highlands of the western
most province of Panama; Chiriqui. Boquete was founded in
1911 by settlers from other districts of Panama, as well as
Swiss, German, Yugoslav, Swedish and North American immigrants.
For this reason, the Boquete remains a district with an Alpine
feeling, having architectural styles particular to those settlers
from Europe.
The Boquete lies in the highlands of the Chiriqui Province,
which is bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Veraguas Province
to the east, Bocas del Toro province to the north and by the
pacific on the southern coast. To arrive in Boquete, one may
take the road from the lowland city of David in Chiriqui province.
From Costa Rica, the Pan-American highway passes through David
on its way to Panama City. From Panama city, the drive to
David is approximately 7 hours. If road travel leaves you
anxious, there is always the option to take a small chartered
flight from Panama City to David and then on to the Boquete.
In any fashion you decide to arrive, this magnificent region
of lush vegetation and diverse fauna will make it markedly
difficult to leave.
Long known as a get away by Panamanians, the Boquete has
only recently become acknowledged on the world stage as being
a top destination. The Boquete has something for everyone,
it seems. For avid ornithologists, there is the possibility
of exploring the lush cloudforest for glimpses of some of
the more rare birds Panama has to offer. The Boquete region
is home to one of the most beautiful birds in the world, the
Quetzal. If your interests lie with the flowers, then visit
the Boquete to peruse its abundant flora. Some names synonymous
with beauty that can be found here are lilies, hibiscus, roses,
carnations, sunflowers and orchids. If it is adventure you
seek, then the Boquete has something even to offer you. Ranging
from world class white water rafting in the rivers flowing
down from the Volcan Baru, to Cloudforest Adventures and hiking,
the Boquete has something for every outdoors person. An early
morning hike up to the top of the dormant Volcan Baru, Panama's
highest peak (3,475m), will leave even the amateur adventurer
breath taken with a glimpse of a sun drenched horizon and
both oceans.
But above all, who can deny the addictive temptation of world
class coffee from the Boquete. Warm air rises from the lowlands
and mixes with the cold air of the highlands, creating the
perfect temperate climate for coffee plantations. For nearly
100 years, coffee has been grown on the mountainsides of the
Boquete region which provides perfect beans for a delicious
cup of coffee. The Boquete's grain quality is known as the
best in Panama, an honor which no doubt can qualify it amongst
the best in the world.
The best times to visit the Boquete vary depending on what
type of trip you have planned, but the "dry" season (January-April)
is always a safe bet. If you are looking for adventure on
the water, then the rainy season from May-December will quench
your thirst for Class IV rapids. If it is the magnificent
Quetzal that you seek, then visiting the Boquete during breeding
season (February-May) will be advisable. Though, no matter
what the reason for visiting is, be it for outdoor adventure
or calm relaxation, the Boquete is certainly a paradise that
deserves attention.
For more information about
avaialable tours to Boquete and Volcan, please contact
us, or for Boquete
and Volcan real estate listings please click here
 
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