HOW TO SPEND 3 DAYS IN BOQUETE, PANAMA
Did you know that Boquete produces some of the world’s most expensive coffee beans, with Geisha coffee setting a record for selling at $4,588 per pound? Nestled in Panama’s western highlands at 3,900 feet above sea level, this enchanting mountain town has become a haven for adventure seekers and retirees alike. Get ready to experience wonderful spring-like weather year-round while exploring cloud forests, coffee plantations, and lost waterfalls. In this guide, I’ll show you how to spend 3 days in Boquete, Panama and make sure you get the best bang for your buck.
DAY 1
GETTING THERE
I spent my first Thanksgiving in Panama visiting Boquete. I took the earliest Air Panama flight out of Albrook Airport to David in Chiriquí province and arrived by 8 a.m. From there, I hailed a taxi to the bus station where I took the next bus out of town to Boquete. Make sure you have cash for the taxi and bus ride. In total, I paid around $7. You can also take a taxi all the way from the airport to Boquete for around $45. The bus ride takes about an hour arriving in the center of town at the main plaza. From there, I found a taxi to my AirBnb where I left my bags and headed out to explore.
THE LOST WATERFALLS HIKE
By 11:30am, I was back in town where I asked around for a taxi or colectivo, local bus, to take me to the Lost Waterfalls trailhead. I opted for a taxi at $8, as the colectivo wasn’t leaving anytime soon. It was a beautiful drive past rivers and roadside waterfalls. The farther we got from town, the more concerned I became about making it back. The taxi driver assured me a colectivo would come by later in the afternoon to take me back to town. After he dropped me off, I headed across the suspension bridge to the family property where I paid my $10 fee to walk the trail. Each hiker registers with the family and must arrive at the third and last waterfall by 3 to exit the property before it gets too late.
The trail is magnificent from beginning to end with mossy trees, tropical flowers and waterfalls that are to die for. It was misty most of the time I was walking which kept me cool, but it was also very slippery in spots. I made it to the first and second waterfall without issue. However, the section of the trail between the second and third fall gave me pause. I found myself at the foot of a crazy, slick incline with ropes fastened to trees hanging down the hillside. After a ten minute internal dialogue, I decided to do it with the utmost care, taking my time. I made it unscathed, but I’m going to be honest, it was risky and would be best done with a hiking buddy just in case. The final waterfall was just amazing.
In the end, the hike took around 3 hours. I made it out to the main road around 3:30 where I waited for about 10 minutes at the end of the driveway for the colectivo. I headed back to my AirBnb to get cleaned up for a delicious dinner at RetroGusto.
DINNER IN BOQUETE
RetroGusto is a premier farm to table restaurant overlooking the river that runs through Bajo Boquete. The menu offers a variety of delicious options from hydroponic salads to raviolini. I chose the risotto con trufa negra, risotto with beef and black truffles. It’s one of the best dishes I’ve had since I moved to Panama. The cocktails were amazing as well with unique twists on classic like mojitos and martinis.
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PACKING LIST
I came relatively well-prepared for the waterfall hike, but the rain on Puentes Colgantes excursion was intense. It prompted me to rethink my needs for rainy season hikes.
- Water Shoes: I actually wore water shoes on the Lost Waterfalls hike. The trail was muddy and slick and the wading pools were rocky, so they were a perfect choice. They provided a lot of grip while protecting my feet in the wading pools. These would also come in really handy at some beaches in Panama where I’ve encountered rocks, coral and sea urchins.
- Waterproof Rain Jacket: This one is a no-brainer in a country that has a very long rainy season. When it rains in Panama, it can be torrential. This is a great way not only to keep dry, but to stay warm.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Panama needs help when it comes to waste management, so to be a better steward of Panama’s beautiful environment, I recommend traveling with a reusable water bottle. Pop in to a restaurant and ask for a quick refill.
- Dry Bag: I have a couple of really nice cameras and accessories that need protection from downpours and accidents. I believe it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
- Money belt: These come in a variety of shapes and sizes from crossbody to a little more discreet. Boquete is a very safe area, but you can never be too safe and this one is very unobtrusive.
DAY 2
PUENTES COLGANTES BOQUETE TREE TREK
For the next two days, I left the planning and transportation up to Tree Trek Boquete Eco-Adventure Park and I’m happy I did. In researching this trip, there were a couple of attractions–coffee plantations and honey bee farms–that I couldn’t visit without being part of a couple or group, in order to make the tour worth the company’s time. Tree Trek didn’t have any minimum traveler requirements and I opted for two fabulous activities at their complex in the mountains. They offer numerous excursions at their eco-adventure property with zip-lining through the rainforest being the most popular.
You’ll start your tours at Tree Trek Boquete’s office located at the Los Establos Plaza in town. The first activity I chose was the “Puentes Colgantes” or “Hanging Bridges” tour. I joined a lovely couple from Austria and ventured through the foliage across six bridges suspended high above the forest floor. Of course, the scenery was unlike anything I’ve seen before with Jurassic sized ferns and tropical flora. Furthermore, our guide was an added bonus. He knew so much about the plants, fungi and insects that make their home in this region of Panama. He spotted cool mushrooms that looked like little cherry tomatoes and the most beautiful brilliant blue beetle I have ever seen. It was such a wonderful experience learning so much about the rich biodiversity in this unique area of Panama.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
After freshening up, I decided that pizza sounded perfect. I stumbled upon “Apizza” in the same area I had eaten the night before. The pepperoni pizza and Cristal beer hit the spot after a wet, adventurous day. Still, to this day, it is the best pizza I have eaten in Panama.
I like to try local products when I can, especially beer. The Boquete Brew Co. had caught my I eye on my first night in town, so I decided to pop in after my pizza. This microbrewery is very popular with the local, retired expat crowd as well as travelers. Because there were too many tempting beers to decide on just one, I ordered a flight. Ultimately, I decided on a pint of the SweeTart sour. It sounds a little strange, but I found it super-yummy and unique. I enjoyed listening to the local live band who, much to my surprise, belted out hits by Fleetwood Mac and took requests from the crowd.
As I headed back to my Airbnb, I enjoyed wandering the streets, popping in and out of ice cream shops, chocolate shops, and people-watching in Central Park.
DAY 3
COFFEE FARM TOUR
Fortunately, day three was a spectacular day weather-wise. I headed back to Tree Trek Boquete in Los Establos Plaza to catch my ride for the coffee tour. I’m not actually a coffee lover, but I love plants and learning about how things grow. I was really lucky to get a personalized tour as I was the only person signed up. We started by wandering down into the trees where my guide showed me the different varieties of coffee trees that they grow: Caturra, Geisha and Pacamarra. We watched vibrant hummingbirds stopping to eat at feeders, took in the beautiful view of imposing Volcán Barú and breathed in the fresh mountain air. My guide showed me the beans of the Geisha variety at various stages from flower to mature bean and explained the process of harvesting, washing and roasting the beans. I found this fascinating.
At the end of the tour we hit the tasting room where she roasted some dried coffee beans, teaching me about medium and dark roasts. I learned about the flavor profiles of different roasts, blends and coffee varieties, from chocolatey to floral, medium to dark. With several cups of coffee in front of me, she let me choose three to sample.
It was truly a unique experience to visiting a working coffee plantation, especially one that sells the world’s most expensive coffee. With plenty of daylight left, I returned to Boquete where I spent the afternoon checking out the park, perusing plant vendors and snacking on local strawberries. It was really a perfect day.
Before I headed back to David to catch my flight home to Panama City, I stopped in to one of Boquete’s most popular restaurants for a quick breakfast: Sugar and Spice. They offer a variety of baked goods like donuts and danishes in addition to salads and sandwiches.
WHERE TO STAY
I really loved the little AirBnb I found. I stayed in a converted shipping container perched up on the hillside overlooking the town. The gardens were so tranquil with tropical plants, chirping hummingbirds and a lovely view of the mountains. It was just a short walk into town. I slept so well and the room had everything I needed.
MORE OPTIONS
SELINA
SELINA I BOOK NOW
EL CIELO BY VILLA ALEJANDRO
EL CIELO I BOOK NOW
TREE TREK ADVENTURE PARK
TREE TREK ADVENTURE PARK I BOOK NOW
THE INN AT PALO ALTO
INN AT PALO ALTO I BOOK NOW
From sipping world-class coffee to chasing waterfalls, Boquete offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. This 3-day itinerary gives you a taste of everything this highland paradise has to offer. I wish I had more time to explore hike Volcán Barú, check off more hikes and raft down a rushing river. All the more reason to go back!
Comments (1)
Kelly
November 23, 2024 at 3:02 pm
I really enjoy your writing. You capture all facets and effects of a 3 fay trip. Its really nicely done. (I have been to the Brewery. Great Guy! Good fun!)