'''Boquete''' is a village in Chiriqui province, in western Panama.
Get in
There are several buses (~ every 45 min.) from David. They take around 1 h. At approximately 8PM the last one leaves from the bus-terminal in David(1.45 USD, you pay when getting off).
Coming from San Jose (Costa Rica) there is one morning bus (7:30) leaving from the Tracopa terminal in San Jose (15-20 USD). Takes about 9 hours to get to David. From David see above.
If you are coming to Boquete from Panama City, [http://www.flyairpanama.com/ AirPanama] and Aeroperlos have daily flights to David. The flight takes about 45 minutes, prices range from $60 to $80 each way.
Get around
Boquete is a very cozy mountain village so you won't have problems exploring the city on foot. For the surroundings you can either use taxi (one dollar brings you quite far) or the local area buses which leave from the central park. There are also many tour companies that offer guided trips through the mountains to see waterfalls, coffee plantations, the cloud forest, and the National Park.
See
Boquete is known as the "Valley of the Flowers". Nestled in the northern highlands of Panama, near the boarder to Costa Rica. Boquete shares some of the same mountain ranges with Costa Rica, as well as, some of the incredible wildlife and rain forests. However, because it is not as well known, and a 'road less traveled', prices are lower, and it is not as commercial. There are hostels for $5.00 a night, and 5 star hotels for $300 a night. You can hike for 1/2 a day, or all day, and still have a chance to see the Resplendent Quetzal, or a Howler Monkey in the wild. The Boquete Valley is rich with agriculture as well; strawberries, oranges, and coffee come from this region. The famous 'geisha' coffee, that was sold at auction, for $130 a pound, can be found growing on the rich Volcanic slopes. Adventure travel is a key reason that Boquete, a fairly small town, is growing in popularity for European, American and Asian travelers. It is difficult to come to Boquete for just a couple of days and see all that it has to offer.
Do
Reach the Top of the Volcano Baru-There are two ways to reach the summit of the Volcan Baru. You can [http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/volcanbaruhike.html Hike], which will take about 12 hours round trip. Or you can catch a ride with one of the 4 x 4 jeeps servicing the park; this option still takes about 8 hours, the road is very rough.
[http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/quetzaltrail.html Quetzal Trail Expedition]The Volcan Baru National Park has one of the most famous trails in all of Panama, the Quetzal Trail; so named because it is the home of the rare Resplendent Quetzal. You can hike from Boquete to Cerro Punta, or the reverse. It is about a 5-7 hour hike, so it can be completed in one day.
Visit a Coffee Plantation--See what all the buzz is about regarding coffee tours in Boquete; from 2 to 4 hours: Cafe Ruiz [http://www.caferuiz.com/], Kotowa, and [http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html Boquete Mountain Safari].
Whitewater River Rafting on the Chiriqui Viejo--Several companies offer 1/2 day and full day rafting excursions. Chiriqui River Rafting [http://www.panama-rafting.com/] and Panama River Rafting are the oldest and most established rafters in Boquete.
Learn Spanish at Habla Ya Panama Language School
[http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/wildcoffee.html Wildlife Safari and Coffee Tasting]A half day hike to some of the best trails to see Quetzal's, sloth's and monkey's; and then stop at a high elevation coffee plantation for a coffee tasting.
[http://www.miradoradventures.com Multi-day Back-packing Treks]
[http://www.miradoradventures.com Soak under the Stars]
[http://www.miradoradventures.com Mountain Bike and Hike Challege- Full and Half Day Adventures]
Visit Paradise Garden [http://www.paradisegardenspanama.com/ParadiseGardens/Paradise_Gardens.html]--The only Wildlife Rescue Center in Panama. Open daily from 10 to 4; $5.00 entrance fee helps to support the center.
[http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/horsebackriding.html Horseback Riding]in the mountains of Boquete
Valley of the Flowers Garden [http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/gardentours.html]
Zip Line through the Canopy of the Cloud Forest [http://www.aventurist.com/boquete/]
Hot Springs Caldera [http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/calderahotsprings.html]
[http://www.hablayapanama.com/ecotourism/quetzals.html Hike the Quetzals Trail]
[http://www.miradoradventures.com Summit and Camp on top of the Giant Baru Volcano]
Rock Climbing [http://www.rockclimbing.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2004800] Rock climbing excursions are lead by world class climber Cesar Melendez. He leads beginners to advanced on more than 30 routes that he has established. His newest climb is called "bouldering".
Extreme Coffee Adventure. pecialty Coffee Tour. oquete Panama. 07-6613-1472. ttp://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html. am to 6 pm.
Drink
Zanzibar. Jazz Bar, live band every other Friday
'''La Cabana''' Quite busy on Sundays.
'''Amigos Bar''' is a nice and popular meeting point.
Sleep
There are several inexpensive hostels around and within a few blocks the central park. The more expensive ones are down the park close to the firefighters and the police.
'''Hostal Paradiso''', right opposite the bus station and the central park. Bit noisy since it's right on the street, mind your belongings.
One block west and one block north of central park is the '''Nomba Hostel''' 6401-6278 (6497-5672) ryan@miradoradventures.com with dorm rooms (8 or 9 US) and single room (18 US). They rent outdoors equipment (rainjackets, tents, bikes, warm gear, and arrange tours for you) at the tour office of Mirador Adventures [http://www.miradoradventures.com], located in the hostel.
Boquete also has riverside Bed & Breakfasts
[http://www.islaverdepanama.com/ Isla Verde]
[http://www.boquetegardeninn.com/ Boquete Garden Inn]
[http://www.ranchodecaldera.com// Rancho de Caldera]
[http://www.fincalerida.com// Finca Lerida Eco-Lodge]
[http://www.losestablos.net// Los Establos Boutique Hotel]
[http://www.villamarita.com// Villa Marita Hotel]
[http://www.oasisboquete.com// Oasis B&B-The Inn by the River]
Boquete Mountain Casitas. oquete, Chiriqui. oquete is a 30 minute drive from David. 07-6613-1472. ttp://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/accommodationsboquetepanama.html. :00. 1:00. Boquete Mountain Casitas are located in the Valley of the Flowers; Boquete, Panama. Some of the casitas are located within walking distance to the beautiful village of Boquete, and others are on private estates in the mountains. We have one 2 bedroom, 2 bath in the middle of an Organic Coffee Farm. Get out of the city and spend a couple of nights in a Cloud Forest; quiet, crisp fresh air; luxury and tranquility.
Get out
Take one of the frequent buses to David (Panama).