Boquete, Panama: travel guide
Cool highland town of coffee farms, cloud forest and Volcán Barú
Cool highland town in Chiriqui famous for its coffee estates, the Volcan Baru trail, cloud-forest quetzal watching and waterfalls.
About Boquete
Boquete is a cool highland town in the Chiriquí mountains, surrounded by coffee farms and cloud forest and watched over by Volcán Barú. The climate is cooler and fresher than the lowlands, and the town has a calm, garden-like feel.
Coffee is the main attraction, and several farms offer tours that follow the beans from bush to cup. Walkers can take the Sendero Los Quetzales through the cloud forest, where the resplendent quetzal is sometimes seen, or the Sendero El Pianista for coffee-country views. The Caldera hot springs and the Lost Waterfalls offer more relaxed outings, and Volcán Barú National Park draws hikers heading for sunrise views from the summit.
Boquete suits birders, walkers and coffee lovers. The drier months from December to April are the most dependable, while the rest of the year is greener and wetter.
- Country
- Panama
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Panama
- Nearest airport
- DAV
Last updated
Top places to visit in Boquete
Boquete Central Park
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The flowery main plaza of Boquete on the Caldera River, the hub of town life and festivals.
Cafe Ruiz Coffee Estate
Cultural · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Panama's oldest coffee producers offering farm-to-cup tours of its plantations and mill.
Volcan Baru National Park
Nature · about 10 h · check the fee at the gate
Panama's highest peak at 3,475 m; on clear pre-dawn hikes both the Pacific and Caribbean can be seen from the summit.
Sendero Los Quetzales
Nature · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
Famous cloud-forest trail between Boquete and Cerro Punta, one of the best places to spot the resplendent quetzal.
Sendero El Pianista
Nature · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Popular forest trail climbing from a pasture into misty cloud forest, good for birdwatching.
Caldera Hot Springs (Los Pozos de Caldera)
Nature · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Rustic riverside thermal pools south of Boquete reached by a short walk across farmland.
Mi Jardin es Su Jardin
Nature · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Whimsical free public garden of bright flowers, sculptures and mountain views on a private estate.
Finca Lerida
Wildlife · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic coffee farm and cloud-forest reserve renowned for birding and Geisha coffee.
The Lost Waterfalls (Las Tres Cascadas)
Waterfall · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Muddy jungle hike to three tall waterfalls in the hills above Boquete.
Things to do
- Coffee Farm Tour & Tasting Cultural · 3 h · from USD 30 per person
- Volcan Baru Summit Night Hike Adventure · 12 h · from USD 90 per person
- Quetzal Birdwatching Tour Nature · 5 h · from USD 65 per person
- Boquete Tree Trek Zipline Adventure · 3 h · from USD 65 per person
- Chiriqui Viejo White-Water Rafting Adventure · 6 h · from USD 95 per person
Day trips and tours
- Boquete Coffee & Cloud Forest 7 h · from USD 75
Where to stay in Boquete
- Bajo Boquete about USD 90 per night
Town centre with restaurants, hostels and easy access to tours.
- Alto Boquete / Jaramillo about USD 130 per night
Cooler hillside area with coffee estates, gardens and scenic lodges.
Hotels
- Boquete Garden Inn 3-star · USD 110 to USD 180 per night
- Panamonte Inn & Spa 4-star · USD 140 to USD 240 per night
- Finca Lerida Coffee Estate 4-star · USD 150 to USD 260 per night
- Valle Escondido Resort 4-star · USD 160 to USD 300 per night
- Hostel Mamallena Boquete 1-star · USD 13 to USD 45 per night
Where to eat
- Big Daddy's Grill Mexican, American · about USD 15 per person
- Sugar & Spice Bakery, Cafe · about USD 10 per person
- Retrogusto Italian · about USD 18 per person
- The Rock International · about USD 30 per person
- Boquete Brewing Company Pub, American · about USD 15 per person
Getting to Boquete
Airport: David (Boquete gateway) (DAV)
Getting around
- Shuttle
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Panama
Frequently asked questions about Boquete
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Boquete?
- The highest-rated places in our Boquete guide are Cafe Ruiz Coffee Estate, Boquete Central Park.
- Where should I stay in Boquete?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Boquete: Bajo Boquete, Alto Boquete / Jaramillo.
- How do I get around Boquete?
- Ways to get around Boquete covered in our guide: Shuttle, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Boquete?
- The nearest airport to Boquete has the code DAV.