BOQUETE
Boquete is a small town tucked into the green mountain highlands of Panama, in western-most Chiriquí Province, about 60 km. from the border with Costa Rica. Because of its altitude, some 1,200 meters above sea level, its climate is refreshingly cooler than that of the lowlands. Its scenic location, temperature, and natural environment make it extremely popular with Panamanians, and with tourists from all over the world.
In Spanish, the word Boquete means 'gap or opening'. It was through this gap that curious gold seekers trekked, looking for a cheaper and quicker way to the Pacific. Farmers began settling the region near the end of the 19th Century. By the early 20th century, several villages had been populated: Lino, Quiel, Bajo Mono, Los Naranjos, and Bajo Boquete, which now is the districts' town center.
Boquete was created on April 11th, 1911. The head of the district was initially Lino, but it was moved soon after to Bajo Boquete. For many years, the district had three "corregimientos": Bajo Boquete, Caldera and Palmira. In 1998, the "corregimientos" of Alto Boquete, Jaramillo, and Los Naranjos were created.
In addition to tourism, its main industry remains agriculture, especially the growing of coffee beans.
Some of its landmarks include nearby Volcán Barú, a dormant volcano and, at 3,475 meters, the tallest point of land in Panama. Hikers enjoy a relatively easy hike up and over the volcano, along the Sendero de los Quetzales, which runs from Boquete up to Cerro Punta and Volcan, on the other side of the volcano. Boquete is well known for its coffee, judged to be among the finest in the world. The Caldera River runs through the town, a river that has shaped much of its form.
The district of Boquete has approximately 19,000 inhabitants (2008).
More recently, Boquete has become the second home to many North American and European retirees. Some 14% of its population is of foreign origin, according to La Prensa, a national newspaper. Ex-pats are attracted by the comfortable climate, excellent potable water, and clean air, by the tranquility, and by Panama's relatively low cost of living.
Boquete is an attractive region (district) located in the high lands of the Chiriqui province. More exactly, a charming valley shared by several sites of tourist interest like the Boquete town, the Bajo (Low) Boquete, Caldera and Palmira. The slopes of the mountains that surround this beautiful valley are covered with plantations of coffee and flowers, two of the most important products of the region.
The limits of the Boquete district are, to then north, the Bocas del Toro province, to the west the Bugaba and Dolega districts, to the south the Dolega and David districts and to the east the Gualaca district. It comprises the villages of Alto Boquete, Bajo Boquete, Caldera, Jaramillo, Los Naranjos and Palmira.
On a surface of 514 km2 live a population of approximately 17,000 inhabitants and it is located between an approximated height 300 (south) and 3,000 (north) meters over the level of the sea, depending on the sector.
The average temperature is 20 centigrade all the year, with two types of climate: tempered very humid of the highs, with many rain during the whole year (over 60 millimeters), and humid tropical.
The district is located at 40 kilometers of the city of David, 480 kms of the city of Panama and 400 kms of the city of San Jose of Costa Rica.
In order to arrive at Boquete, from David, there are buses that, leaving the terminal of this city each hour, bring you to the "valley of the flowers" in only forty five minutes. The ticket costs $ 1.50 per person and the buses run between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm.
Driving there are only forty kilometers from the Interamerican Highway (turn to the left on the signs if you are travelling from Costa Rica, Paso Canoas or David, or to the right if you are travelling from Panama City) that pass between landscapes of great scenic beauty causing that the time happens almost without realizing.
In Spanish, the word Boquete means 'gap or opening'. It was through this gap that curious gold seekers trekked, looking for a cheaper and quicker way to the Pacific. Farmers began settling the region near the end of the 19th Century. By the early 20th century, several villages had been populated: Lino, Quiel, Bajo Mono, Los Naranjos, and Bajo Boquete, which now is the districts' town center.
Boquete was created on April 11th, 1911. The head of the district was initially Lino, but it was moved soon after to Bajo Boquete. For many years, the district had three "corregimientos": Bajo Boquete, Caldera and Palmira. In 1998, the "corregimientos" of Alto Boquete, Jaramillo, and Los Naranjos were created.
In addition to tourism, its main industry remains agriculture, especially the growing of coffee beans.
Some of its landmarks include nearby Volcán Barú, a dormant volcano and, at 3,475 meters, the tallest point of land in Panama. Hikers enjoy a relatively easy hike up and over the volcano, along the Sendero de los Quetzales, which runs from Boquete up to Cerro Punta and Volcan, on the other side of the volcano. Boquete is well known for its coffee, judged to be among the finest in the world. The Caldera River runs through the town, a river that has shaped much of its form.
The district of Boquete has approximately 19,000 inhabitants (2008).
More recently, Boquete has become the second home to many North American and European retirees. Some 14% of its population is of foreign origin, according to La Prensa, a national newspaper. Ex-pats are attracted by the comfortable climate, excellent potable water, and clean air, by the tranquility, and by Panama's relatively low cost of living.
Boquete is an attractive region (district) located in the high lands of the Chiriqui province. More exactly, a charming valley shared by several sites of tourist interest like the Boquete town, the Bajo (Low) Boquete, Caldera and Palmira. The slopes of the mountains that surround this beautiful valley are covered with plantations of coffee and flowers, two of the most important products of the region.
The limits of the Boquete district are, to then north, the Bocas del Toro province, to the west the Bugaba and Dolega districts, to the south the Dolega and David districts and to the east the Gualaca district. It comprises the villages of Alto Boquete, Bajo Boquete, Caldera, Jaramillo, Los Naranjos and Palmira.
On a surface of 514 km2 live a population of approximately 17,000 inhabitants and it is located between an approximated height 300 (south) and 3,000 (north) meters over the level of the sea, depending on the sector.
The average temperature is 20 centigrade all the year, with two types of climate: tempered very humid of the highs, with many rain during the whole year (over 60 millimeters), and humid tropical.
The district is located at 40 kilometers of the city of David, 480 kms of the city of Panama and 400 kms of the city of San Jose of Costa Rica.
In order to arrive at Boquete, from David, there are buses that, leaving the terminal of this city each hour, bring you to the "valley of the flowers" in only forty five minutes. The ticket costs $ 1.50 per person and the buses run between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm.
Driving there are only forty kilometers from the Interamerican Highway (turn to the left on the signs if you are travelling from Costa Rica, Paso Canoas or David, or to the right if you are travelling from Panama City) that pass between landscapes of great scenic beauty causing that the time happens almost without realizing.