The Ultimate 3-day Itinerary in Boquete, Panama: Experience cloud forests, coffee, and more!
First and foremost, let me take a moment to answer the most important question: is three days enough in Boquete?
No.
There’s such a high volume of places to explore and things to experience that it’d be easy to spend weeks, if not a month here. This guide will at least help you to scratch the surface and be well on your way to creating the perfect Boquete, Panama itinerary that works for you!
BACKGROUND
Boquete is a small town located in western Panama about 40 miles from the border with Costa Rica. It’s a place popular amongst travelers and ex-pats alike for the abundance of wildlife, cloud forests, and globally acclaimed coffee beans.
Situated along the Caldera River and surrounded by the Chiquiri highlands, the area offers incredible hiking and outdoor adventures for any age including prime viewing of the elusive Quetzal, Panama’s most popular bird. Visitors will find a unique concoction of both Panamanian culture and cuisine mixed with the ex-pat influence from around the world.
If hiking isn’t your thing, no problem! Visit a coffee farm to learn how Boquete cultivates the world’s most expensive bean, soak up the cloud forest views by driving the Bajo Mano Loop, and even take a chocolate-making class in town. Either way, a trip to Boquete is well worth it!
GETTING THERE
There are three main ways to get to Boquete: car, bus, and plane. Let’s break it down:
Renting a car and driving from Panama City to Boquete will take around 6.5 hours via Route 1. It’s a scenic drive along the highway and allows travelers to take their time, stopping in towns like Santiago and David as they go.
This was the mode of transportation I opted for and although renting a car in Panama is notoriously confusing, it was liberating to have the freedom on the road. Having a car while in Boquete also made the more remote hiking trails more accessible.
The most cost-effective option is via bus. There are direct routes from Panama City to David, in which you’ll then need to transfer to further reach Boquete. Generally speaking, this is what you can expect:
Panama City to David – around 8 hours and $15.75
David to Boquete – 1 hour and $1.75
The quickest and also the most expensive way is via flight from Panama City to David before renting a car or hopping on the local bus. The flight time is around 40min and can cost between $85-$150.
To read more about renting a car in Panama, check out this post!
WHERE TO STAY
Thanks to the ex-pat community, there is a wide range of accommodation available from hostels to bed and breakfasts or fully furnished Airbnb rentals!
Sub - $50
$50-$100
$100+
Hotel Finca Lerida Coffee Estate
During this three-day trip, I opted for an Airbnb at Villa Cascada Boquete and could not have had a better experience! The living space is detached from the main home for complete privacy, including entry, and comes complete with a secluded and relaxing koi pond off the back patio. The location is an easy walk to downtown Boquete and made for the perfect home base.
3-DAY ITINERARY
There are a few quick notes to make regarding the itinerary below.
To start with, I tend to travel as most cost-effectively as possible. Often I opt to save money on fancy meals and put those funds towards more experiences. Also, anyone will tell you that I plan very little and explore a lot. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it leaves me wanting more, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.
With these points in mind, let’s dive into a basic, three-day itinerary in Boquete, Panama!
DAY 1:
Breakfast: I opted for a quick and easy breakfast at the Airbnb before packing snacks and heading to the cloud forest for a morning hike.
Two of the best grocery stores to stock up on easy meals and snacks are Super Barú Boquete and Romero Boquete.
Pipeline Trail: The Boquete area has such an abundance of trails to explore that it can be quite overwhelming to choose one to do, especially if on a limited time. This was my first experience hiking in the jungle, so I chose the Pipeline Trail as it’s well known, clearly marked, and relatively flat. Due to the popularity, it’s best to wake up early and start the trek first thing in the morning.
This hike takes visitors through the lush jungle along a narrow path and is commonly known as one of the best places in town to view the Quetzal bird. Along the trail lies a massive 1,000-year-old tree, shooting straight up into the jungle canopy.
The gem of this 3.8-mile loop hike is the cascading waterfall that provides the necessary mist to cool off and feel energized for the trek back to the trailhead.
Note: The locals regulate the trail and there is a 5 USD entrance fee per person, as well as a required sign-in/out. As you walk up from the “Welcome” sign at the road, a small hut will be on the left before you enter the jungle.
Lunch: After being energized by the Pipeline Trail, I opted for a quick lunch/rest back at the Airbnb before setting out on another adventure.
Choclón Waterfall: This was an adventure for the ages. As I was researching places to visit in Boquete, I came across a picture of these stunning twin waterfalls and knew I needed to visit. The only problem was there was no location listed.
Armed with loose GPS coordinates and blurry Google Satellite images of the area, I set off to see if I could make it happen.
After hours of trying, re-trying, almost giving up, and then trying yet again (you can read more about the full adventure by clicking here), I finally found the correct path that led to the magical Choclón Waterfall.
The path itself was overgrown, narrow, and isolated, but the short hike down to the riverbed beyond worth the effort!
Dinner: After expending so much energy on the hiking trails throughout the day, it was a stay-in and rest type of night for dinner, only stepping foot outside to reward myself with a delicious dessert from Gelateria La Ghiotta, a frequent stop on my trip.
DAY 2:
Breakfast: Still feeling the effects of a day full of exploring in the sun and humidity, day 2 was more about exploring the downtown Boquete area. After several local recommendations, I settled on a place called Olga’s for breakfast.
Situated in her own home and greeting each customer with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, Olga’s food was by far the best I experienced on my Panamanian adventure!
Daytime Adventures:
La Viuda del Cafe
The Boquete area is well known around the world for cultivating the Geisha coffee bean. With a gentle wildflower aroma, a bag of these can go for $600 and just a cup can cost $64 in Dubai!
Luckily by being at the source it’s much more affordable. La Viuda del Café is a boutique coffee shop that translates literally as “the coffee window.” Here a cup of Geisha coffee costs only $4!
Is the delectable bean that good? Yes, it is, my friends.
Pastelería Alemana
Located south of downtown Boquete and along Route 41 lays Pastelería Alemana.
A small German pastry shop, the outdoor seating area makes for an odd yet perfect experience, eating a scrumptious apple strudel while gazing off at the remote jungle in the distance.
Faro Panama
I had passed this attraction on the drive into town from Panama City and was completely taken aback. How does a giant lighthouse make its way to such a remote part of the country?
Long story short, this family fun center opened just before my arrival in Boquete and I was the only car in the parking lot. It was an ominous feeling to see an empty complex and have the staff so surprised to see a visitor, but the top of the lighthouse provided unparalleled 360-degree views of the area, including Volcan Barú.
The cost was 4.25 USD per person.
Café Ruiz
To fuel up for an evening hike, a quick stop at the Café Ruiz coffee farm was necessary. Nestled out of town and amongst lush flora, the tasting flight of various local coffees was a needed afternoon jolt.
Café Ruiz also offers some of the shorter/cheaper coffee tours in town. I tried to sign up for one but unfortunately, it was full. Lesson learned; book in advance!
La Piedra de Lino
Translated as “the rock of Lino,” this short yet steep hike offers some of the most spectacular views over Boquete and the surrounding cloud forests.
Climbing 1000+ feet in just over 1.5 miles, La Piedra de Lino is a leg burner and not for the faint of heart, but the payout at the top is worth it.
The path can get slippery, especially after a good rainfall. Be sure to wear shoes with good tread and move slowly.
Dinner: Sabrasón
A cafeteria-style buffet full of Panamanian cuisine and incredibly cheap, Sabrasón made for a quick and easy meal after an exhausting and fulfilling hike up La Piedra de Lino.
Dessert: Gelateria La Ghiotta
DAY 3:
Breakfast: Olga’s… again. Enjoying homemade food on the back patio and surrounded by local flora was the perfect way to start the day.
Tuesday Market: If you’re looking to avoid the ex-pat influence, then the Tuesday Market isn’t for you. With that being said, it’s a unique experience in the area as the community congregates to sell local foods and gifts.
Shopping: Finding the right knick-knacks is far cheaper in Boquete than back in Panama City, so before I drove out of town I spent some time wandering up and down the main road while browsing the local selection of blankets, backpacks, and more.
Boquete was a quick stop on a whirlwind trip around Panama and I wish I had been able to spend more time here, but it’s certainly a place that’s high on my list to return to and learn more about.
Questions? Have other ideas for a trip to Boquete? Leave them in the comments below and be sure to check out my other posts about Panama!
Stay safe & happy travels!
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