19 Fantastic Things To Do In Boquete, Panama In 2024
Are you looking for the best things to do in Boquete, Panama? If you are, then you’re in the right spot!
Panama is one of the best places we visited in Central America, where we could completely immerse ourselves in nature, outdoor adventures and extreme sports. It’s a country Jack and I loved and can’t wait to return to. If you’re searching for exciting hikes and beautiful waterfalls, there’s nowhere better than the small town of Boquete, deep in the mountains of Panama.
Boquete is perfect for nature enthusiasts thanks to treks like the Lost Waterfalls, hot springs like Caldera Hot Springs, and activities like visiting Volcan Baru National Park. We’ve done all of them and cherry-picked the absolute best. Here’s everything you can’t miss when you visit Boquete.
Sit Back & Grab A Cuppa; There Are A Lot Of Fun Things To Do In Boquete, Panama!
In this post, I’ll share 19 fantastic things to do in Boquete, Panama. I’ll also cover topics like:
- Why Boquete is worth visiting and what makes it so special
- Provide the Ultimate Travel Guide, including insider tips and tour recommendations.
- Discuss the best places to stay and eat to suit your budget.
- And provide information on expenses for your trip!
🌟 Guess what ->> As travel experts, our experiences have led us to be great at planning travel itineraries, so much so that I offer a bespoke travel itinerary service to all my readers. Interested? See what it’s all about here on my custom itinerary page.
Is Boquete Panama worth visiting?
Even though Boquete isn’t a hidden gem anymore – it attracts a lot of tourism – it has managed to keep its charm and small-town vibe. It’s a very laidback sort of place with sweeping mountain views and a friendly community. In fact, you will notice a lot of ex-pats and retirees calling Boquete home. The few days we spent exploring Boquete were a highlight of our time in Panama.
So in true traveller style, I always say Boquete is absolutely somewhere I would recommend visiting, especially if you love hiking and bird watching!
So, in our opinion (and experience), Boquete is a destination not to be missed. Ok, it is a popular little town, as I mentioned above, but it doesn’t feel overcrowded. This is because it’s so easy to go on a hike and leave the crowds behind.
You will see other people on the more popular hikes, but venture further into the wilderness (guides recommended), and you may find you’re the only soul on the path.
Boquete is a dream for hikers and nature enthusiasts. But it’s also got the right atmosphere to make it an interesting place filled with tons of activities for everyone from backpackers to solo travellers to families.
Are you planning a trip soon? Here are useful links to begin planning!
Accommodations – I recommend Booking.com
Flights – I recommend Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – I recommend SafetyWing
Tours/experiences – I recommend Get Your Guide
Car rental – I recommend DiscoverCars
These are all the sites I personally use to book my trips, and if you use them, some of them will earn me a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping my site up. Thanks!
19 Things To Do In Boquete Panama
These are the top attractions to do in Boquete during your visit. They are in no particular order, but I will note that hiking to the top of Piedra del Musgo (number 2) was my favourite.
Simply because the views were breathtaking!
⭐ Pro tip >> Bajo Mono is the area surrounding the ring road at the northern tip of Boquete. It’s where you will find a lot of trailheads, including the popular Lost Waterfalls Trail.
1. Hike the Pipeline Trail
The Pipeline Trail is one of the easiest hikes to do in Boquete and doesn’t take very long. Being almost pancake-like (flat) it can be completed in a couple of hours. The views are beautiful, green and lush as you walk through the jungle, aptly following a moss-covered pipe sometimes hidden amongst the trees, sometimes not.
⭐ Pro tip >> Even though you can do this hike by yourself (which is how we did it) you might prefer to visit on a guided tour. If that’s the case, Viator has an exceptionally rated guided tour of the Pipeline Trail. Click here for more details.
It’s fantastic for a morning hike as you’re more likely to spot wildlife. At the end of the trail there is a very tall (but small) waterfall. You’ll also pass an ancient tree which is over a thousand years old; a great photo opportunity for you!
There are many snakes in Boquete. Yes, we saw one when we were hiking the Pipeline Trail, and although I have no idea what sort of snake it was, it was certainly there. It moved fast, like a speeding train ducking into a tunnel and disappearing in a flash.
2. Hike the Mirador Piedra del Musgo Trail
One of the longer and more dangerous hikes; it took us 4 hours to reach the top. The trail led us through a coffee plantation, meadows and into a jungle of private property which meandered up through the trees before finally popping out at one of the most stunning viewpoints in Boquete!
We were told we needed a guide as the route was not clear. However, we had good information from a local lady living close by and decided to go at it alone. Saving money was our leading thought.
In truth, we were lucky we didn’t get lost. We didn’t see anyone else and it was quite dangerous; slippery and wet, with fallen branches and large boulders to hobble over. If you go without a tour never go alone and let someone know where you’re going!
3. Hike the Lost Waterfalls Trail
Hiking to the lost waterfalls is one of the main things to do in Boquete. You will find three fantastic, dramatic waterfalls on this hike along muddy trails and majestic cloud forests.
There is a fee of $10 which is reasonable considering the efforts locals put in to maintain the trail. Nevertheless, it’s a mucky and well-trodden route so I would suggest good hiking boots.
If you want to visit all three waterfalls you’ll need about half a day. Make sure to pack plenty of water and lunch and enjoy the hike through the beautiful deep jungle!
⭐ Pro tip >> If heading back into Boquete via bus, turn left as you exit the trailhead and walk downhill approx 500m to wait in the little pink hut. The bus won’t normally come all the way out to the trailhead unless it’s dropping you off.
4. Visit Boquete Tree Trek, Eco-Adventure Park
Fancy soaring over jungles and canyons or walking over rivers? Why not try adventure activities like zip lining and discovering the hanging bridges of Boquete? Both of these tours are offered at Boquete Tree Trek Eco-Adventure Park.
The hanging bridges (there are 6 of them) are actually some of the longest and highest in Central America! Tree Trek offers a selection of tours which you can book directly through them.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous you can combine other tours from a travel agent in Boquete town into a package, like the white water rafting mentioned below.
5. Go on a Coffee Tour
If like me you love your coffee then there’s no better place to experience a coffee tour than in Boquete (and maybe Colombia). World-famous for producing some of the best coffee in the region with its high elevation, cool climate and fertile volcanic soil; you can’t beat it.
There are a few coffee plantations to choose from in Boquete. We really enjoyed the small family-run, hands-on and traditional process of Finca Casanga.
⭐ Pro tip >> For £35 they teach you all the stages from picking, de-pulping, drying, sorting, roasting, grinding and finally drinking! You can book your small-group coffee tour here on Viator.
6. Go to a Chocolate Making Class
Also popular in Boquete is its chocolate, or artesian chocolate as many like to say, with its decadently nutty flavour and smooth texture, you can indulge in a chocolate-making class right in the middle of the town centre.
The Perfect Pair offers a 2.5-hour class where you will learn about all things chocolatey. This includes the tasting, making, and eating of your own tasty bar. They also offer a chocolate tour where you can “taste every form and shape of cacao”.
So, the choice is yours, which will you choose?
7. Indulge In A Chocolate Cafe
I, for one, can never get enough chocolate (or coffee, come to think of it) and so when we stumbled across a cafe dedicated to both chocolate and coffee I had to haul our sorry butts in!
I won’t lie, I was very excited about our naughty detour and decided that 8 delicately decorated pieces of chocolate and one large chocolate coffee (otherwise known as a cheeky mocha) were required.
Jack and I sharing our choccies, which were good (not otherworldly) but good, alongside some friends were exactly what I needed after a long few days of hiking.
I recommend the passion fruit dark chocolate bite – it was to die for!
8. Hike the El Pianista Trail
Back to the trails and unfortunately, we weren’t able to do these ourselves but after lots of research, they are considered some of the best ones to do in Boquete – after the lost waterfalls- of course.
This one actually harbours a dark story about two dutch girls going missing back in 2014, their bodies were found weeks later by a local tribe. The circumstances are shrouded in mystery with many unanswered questions but local authorities have put it down to a hiking accident.
Nevertheless, the trail still remains popular and nothing of even the slightest of similarities has ever happened again. In fact, El Pianista is said to be a magical hike along a narrow path through the dense cloud forests.
From experience, I can confirm cloud forests to be something majestic where the air is moist and wildflowers are covered in dew, each leaf forming droplets dripping to the eerily beautiful sound of birds singing in the trees.
If you have the time, this one will be a winner!
There are sloths in Boquete however they are hard to spot as they live in the tree tops of the jungle, Boquete is not known for its sloths. If you want to see sloths, there are better places than Boquete in Panama to visit. Places such as Cahuita National Park in Costa Rica is a good place.
9. Hike the Los Quetzales Trail
Another very popular hike, especially with bird watchers, is the Los Quetzales Trail. As the name suggests you are likely to glimpse the elusive quetzal bird on the hike. If you’re visiting for this purpose you need to head out early, very early.
The Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala and has very unique feathers. Its front is adorned with red feathers while its back is embellished in green. It has an impressively long tail and is believed to represent both good and light in Meso-American mythology.
It’s a very long hike, around 10km, located in the Volcan Baru National Park. Generally, it will take you around 4 hours of hiking one way, so go prepared.
🌟 My top pick >> If you really want to see a Quetzal in the wild, consider taking a private bird-watching tour in the Volcan Baru National Park. I’ve found this one on Viator which has exceptional reviews!
10. Go Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is fast becoming a popular activity in Boquete due to the large basalt rock formations which surround the area. You don’t need to have experience in the sport as it’s possible to do a quick course before you start.
It’s a fun way to enjoy an afternoon, learn something new and tackle a new sport. I have done rock climbing in England (in the deepest, shadiest parts of East London) which although not on “real” rocks was extremely exhilarating, trying to reach the top while finding new routes to reach that goal.
I assume climbing outdoors on real rocks and beautiful scenery would be even better! Check out Panama Rock Climbing School when you get there for more information (they don’t have a website, yet!)
11. Go Horse Back Riding
Those of you that know me will know I am against using animals in sports and activities for the enjoyment of tourism. However, under some circumstances, it is okay, and Boquete is one such circumstance.
The locals are true cowboys having ridden horses for generations. They love and care for their animals and, from what we saw, treat them very well. They looked happy and well-fed, with no scaring or injuries. The same cannot be said for Nicaragua!
Due to this, I’m happy to suggest the activity, which is a popular thing to do in Boquete.
12. Race Quad Bikes & Dirt Bikes
Dotted along the main street of Boquete, you will see these naughty boys on every poster and advertisement. In fact, the bikes can be found taking up huge spaces of prime real estate.
And for good reason! A day out on quads is always an exhilarating way to start your holiday. In Boquete, you have the stunning jungle and scenery to explore as you race around playing tag…or is that just me that does that?
⭐ Pro tip >> You can take them out by yourself or go on a guided tour. The tours are always more fun as you will be taken off the beaten track to a hidden playground! Check out this half-day dirtbike adventure tour in Boquete.
13. Go White Water Rafting
As mentioned above, another popular adventure sport is white water rafting. Interestingly enough we did this only 3 weeks earlier in the incredibly fun and adventure-rich city of San Gil in Colombia. (Another great spot to visit if you’re heading that way).
It was fun and thrilling and completely, unexpectedly amusing; I have never laughed so much. Maybe it was the sheer nerves or Jack bobbing up and down like a penguin in front of me, or maybe it was us capsizing into a torrent of rapids, I’m just not sure.
Either way, it was brilliant. If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker then seek these out in Boquete.
👉 Did I convince you? If so I’ve found this river rafting tour on the Chiriqui Viejo River just outside Boquete which you might be interested in booking. You can click the link to take you to Viator.
14. Learn about Honey, Bees & Butterflies
I read somewhere that Boquete is home to a thriving and happy collection of bees and butterflies which you can visit and take tours of, so I did a little research and found Boquete Bees and Butterflies.
Back home we went on a honey bee workshop-class thing when we were considering having a hive in our garden.
If this is anything similar (which from the reviews it sure is) it will be a great educational and tasty day out learning about bees, the science and the nature of the region. You’ll be able to go on a honey-tasting tour while admiring their captivating butterfly house.
15. Visit a Local Brewery
The Boquete Brewing Company has a long-standing reputation as being the place to go to hang out with friends, listen to live music and enjoy a selection of craft beers.
Unfortunately, Jack doesn’t really like beer as was evident from his dispair when I decided that a brewery crawl in Kaka’ko Honolulu, Hawaii was something we absolutely had to do!
However, if you are someone who enjoys a beer, or two, or three, then head to Boquete Brewing Company for what people are telling me is “absolutely one of the best places in town”. I’ll join you in spirit!
Day Trip From Boquete In Panama
Just outside of Boquete, there are some fun places to visit too. Check out these day trips from Boquete.
16. Cliff Jump at Gualaca Canyon
Los Cangilones de Gualaca as it is known in Spanish is a canyon about 40 minutes (direct) outside of Boquete. We didn’t go but have since found out that the canyon is thousands of years old and is a superb spot to hang out with friends and act like big kids again.
Jumping from the cliffs into the cool water below is so appealing to me as is swimming in the baby blue river on a hot day. I wish we had heard about this place before we left Boquete!
⭐ Pro tip >> Luckily, you now know and so can plan it for your trip. I’ve found this half-day tour on Viator which you might want to check out. It’s got it all and is only £33.58 pp, which I think is brilliant!
Due to Panama’s geological formation, that is, it used to be underwater, you will even be able to find fossilised crustaceans within the rocks, fossils such as ammonites are plenty so take some goggles with you too.
17. Hike the Volcan Baru
In truth, this is something Jack and I had no plans on doing. By this point on our trip, we had climbed a number of mountains and volcanoes and so didn’t feel like climbing another.
Regardless of the fact, that doesn’t mean Volcan Baru is not worthy of a climb, it most certainly is, and had we been better people we would have gone. It seems that the best way to enjoy this 13km hike is a night hike to reach the summit before sunrise. This means a midnight departure.
The reviews are exceptional and if it’s anything like our Mount Batur sunrise hike in Indonesia it really will be spectacular! It’s said to be the only place where you can watch the sunrise over both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you feel that the hike would be too difficult there is also the option for a 4×4 jeep tour to the summit. If not, you can find out more details here for the Volcan Baru Trek on Viator.
18. Cliff Jump at Joguata Waterfall
45 minutes outside of Boquete in Caldera is a waterfall with an 8-metre cliff jump. Luckily you can visit there by yourself and pay a small fee to the indigenous family who maintains the path or you can go on a guided tour from Boquete.
This is a little less popular thing to do in Boquete but by no means mediocre, if you’re lucky you will get the waterfall to yourself, which is always dreamy.
Either way, we’re told it’s a short 15-minute hike past cows and horses to reach the waterfall which is surprisingly said to feel very “lost in the jungle”, considering the car park is so close.
19. Visit Caldera Hot Springs
If you’re in Caldera for the day then why not stop at the hot springs after all that jumping into cool water at Joguata waterfall?
For $3 you can enjoy raw, natural hot springs in nature. The springs are close to a river which you can also access to move between the cold and hot temperatures – this is said to be good for you.
Although we didn’t make it, the experience will be relaxing with the best of mother nature as your backdrop. We did visit some hot springs in Lovina, Bali which were pretty sensational!
Where To Stay In Boquete
Jack and I stayed in one Arte Hostel (it seems to have closed at the time of writing) during our time in Boquete which was nice, we particularly enjoyed having breakfast on the balcony and looking out at the mountains.
That being said, it was basic (as most hostels are) and so I have done some research to recommend others for you, depending on your budget.
⭐ Pro tip >>The ultimate hotel guide for the best Boquete Panama Hotels to suit all budgets. If you’re heading to Boquete and not sure where to stay, read this – Friendly Hotels In Boquete, Panama.
Budget Suggestion: Agartha Hostel and Camping
- Reviews are superb for this hostel. Many guests say that it feels more like a friend’s house than a hostel.
“The warm atmosphere at this hostel makes you feel like you are part of the family. Amir and his mom always go the extra mile to ensure you have a great stay. The place is surrounded by nature and it’s close to some of the hikes around the area.”
Budget (higher-end) Suggestion: Selina Hostel
- The reviews are exceptional and guests are specifically saying it feels more like a hotel than a hostel.
“the quality of place, the rooms, the designs, the details to make you feel welcome and safe. full of great things to do. I love this place”
Something A Little Nicer: La Residencia by Villa Alejandro
- Reviews for La Residencia by Villa Alejandro (not to be confused with Villa Alejandro) are exceptional. Guests are loving the modern decor and cosy feel alongside stunning views!
“This is a lovely building In beautiful gardens and Boquete is a gorgeous little town. Our suite was spacious with a nice kitchen and a large, comfortable bed. It is essentially a self-catering aparthotel so facilities are limited but decent coffee was provided free”
Top-End Suggestion: Hotel Panamonte
- The reviews are exceptional again for this property in Boquete Panama with room comfort and quality rating very high!
“The hotel has very nice rooms, a good restaurant, helpful staff and a lovely garden setting.”
Resources For Panama
Is it your first time visiting Panama? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Panama Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- Read this post to find out the best time of the year to visit Panama.
- If you’re looking to go for two weeks, we’ve written this Panama Itinerary.
- Boquete is a cool place to visit, so we rounded up the best Boquete tours for you.
- It’s likely you’ll fly into Panama City; these are the reasons to spend a few days there.
- In Panama City, there are a few must-do attractions, like visiting the Panama Canal, heading out on a boat trip.
- The easiest way to get around Panama City is by Uber!
- If you want to surf, head to Playa Venao for the best beginner waves. Here’s how you get there from Boquete.
- I spent 5-days sailing around Panama’s tropical Islands, which were amazing. These are the best island tours.
What is Boquete known for?
If you haven’t figured it out already from the mountain of hiking trails in my things to do in Boquete above, I’ll share it for you here…
Boquete is known for its incredible hiking trails and breathtaking viewpoints, waterfalls and wildlife. It’s also famous for its undeniably delicious coffee, including the popular geisha coffee (known for its sweet and floral notes), and scrumptious chocolate production!
When Is The Best Time To Visit Boquete, Panama?
Depending on what you plan to do in Boquete, most would say the best time to visit is during the dry season; this is the equivalent of summer. However, the temperature doesn’t really change much during the dry and wet seasons.
You will notice that the prices of accommodation and tours tend to decrease during the wet season, for obvious reasons, which, if you’re travelling on a budget, might be useful to know.
We visited Boquete during the wet season which was fine for us however it does rain almost every day (usually in the afternoon and late at night) but will be clear in the mornings. Afterwards, we had baby blue skies and sunny afternoons; most of the time.
- Dry Season: From December to April, expect the weather to be like a mild, or in other words perfect, summer with no rain and temperatures around 17°C – 26°C.
- Wet Season: From April to December, expect the weather to be slightly cooler and humid, especially in high-lying regions; 15°C – 25°C
How Many Days Do You Need In Boquete?
Jack and I spent 3 days in the wonderful Boquete but could have easily stayed for longer. It is somewhere that felt cosy and homely, a great place for a digital nomad to set up for a while.
However, If you’re only travelling through and hoping to do a handful of the hikes and possibly a day tour you will need 4 days at least, we missed out on a few activities due to weather and time, so that extra day would have helped!
Is It Expensive To Visit Boquete?
Panama as a whole is quite an expensive country, even when compared to places like Europe and Canada it doesn’t fall far behind. A fact that we had failed to realise until our departure was upon us!
Since we had come from Asia to Colombia to head north through Central America, we had, until then, been blessed with cheap travel. Panama (and Costa Rica) hit us hard, and it’s because of that that I give this advice: Make sure to budget well for your trip to Panama, as it’s easy to overspend and not as cheap as you think!
That being said, we were on a backpacking budget and managed to keep our budget low, around $30 a day each. This included a hostel, entrance to the hikes, one meal out (we lived off peanut butter sandwiches for a while!) and of course, my much-needed daily caffeine fix.
How To Get There & Getting Around
Boquete is very much a lost-in-nature sort of town and only has one road in and out. Regardless of the fact, it’s well-known to tourists (it’s very much on the backpacking route) so there are lots of ways to reach the town; local bus, coach, taxi, private transport or shuttle.
First, you will have to get to Panama, most people will fly into Panama’s International Airport but you can cross the borders at Costa Rica and/or Nicaragua.
How to get to Boquete
We took a public bus to reach Boquete from the quaint surfing town of Playa Venao and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy! It was in fact, a total of 4 buses to get there and a whole day of travelling!
But, it was worth it as Boquete was sensational and it only cost us $15.75 each. And since we were backpacking and more importantly, coming to the end of our 12 months, keeping travel costs to a minimum was important.
Here’s what you will need to do. (Costs are from our own trip in 2022)
Playa Venao to Boquete
- Playa Veneo to Las Tablas $3.50 (7 am on the main street)
- Las Tablas to Chitre $1.50
- Chitre to Santiago $3.00
- Santiago to David $9.00
- David to Boquete $2.25
Full transportation guide for Playa Venao to Boquete here!
Panama City to Boquete
- Panama City to Santiago $10.00
- Santiago to David $9.00
- David to Boquete $2.25
Rent A Car
Otherwise, you can rent a car, which had Jack and I had more money is something we would have loved to have done. Even more so in places like Panama and Costa Rica having a car to explore at our own leisurely pace would have been heaven-sent.
Certainly, the travel between the places we visited could have been broken up, I would love to do a surfing road trip – we did do a road trip around Bali’s coast – around the Pacific coast of Panama! Jack and I now being novice surfers.
Shuttle Service
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that you can also organise a shuttle bus to take you to Boquete. These will leave from places such as Panama City and Boca del Torro (which are popular tourist spots in Panama) at a premium price. But, it stops all the travel, changes and confusion, although, that’s the part of travelling I thrive in!
⭐ Pro tip >> If we aren’t in the mood for public transport, we will usually use sites like 12Go to book transport. This company is great for finding buses, trains and ferries all over the world, making it easier to plan your trip!
How to get around Boquete
Is Boquete walkable…yes!
Walk
As I’ve mentioned previously, Boquete is a small town, so the best way to get around is by walking. You can easily walk around the town exploring the shops, cute buildings and ducking into a coffee shop or two.
Taxi & Public Transport
Second, to exploring on foot, there are taxis readily available and small buses which run between a handful of the more popular hiking trails. When you’re ready to leave there are numerous larger coaches departing daily for the city of David, which has a large bus terminal and will get you anywhere you need to go.
Is It Safe In Boquete, Panama?
The thing with the small towns in Panama, and especially the picturesque town of Boquete, is that they are always extremely safe. Why? The close community and types of travellers who visit these nature spots are (generally) gentle and friendly, earth-loving individuals who are there to enjoy nature.
We felt very safe wandering the streets of Boquete, always getting a friendly wave and not once did we feel unwelcomed. It was a lovely and safe place to be.
The only thing I’d say you need to watch out for are the muddy trails!
Where To Eat In Boquete?
We tried a few places that were centred around local Panamanian cuisine, as these are always the more affordable options, and so we can recommend a couple of nice sodas. Sodas are like small canteens serving local food.
We also had dinner in a nice burger place and a Mexican-Panamanian, as noted below.
🌟 My top pick >> Something which we really love doing when we travel is going on a food-tasting tour. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do one in Boquete, but I did find this “Sample the local flavours of Boquete” one on Viator, which sounded fantastic! Maybe you’ll have more time and be able to indulge?
Restaurante Rustica
We found this place after being caught out in the rain and needing somewhere to shelter. Surprisingly we were the only ones in there but were met by a friendly lady who, I think feeling sorry for us drenched in rain, quickly got us our warm drinks.
We ordered the burgers, which to our surprise came out large, fluffy and delicious; paired with the toasted patacones it was worth being caught out in the rain!
Patacones you ask? They are sliced plantains fried, squashed and then fried again.
Buckle Tip Coffee Studio
Right in the middle of town and on the side of the plaza is Buckle Tip, a small trendy cafe with a huge assortment of coffee beans. You can mix your own if you’re feeling adventurous or let the well-clued-up baristas do it for you. The coffee’s great and the price is right. Superb.
Polivalente
This is towards the south side of town and serves a mix of Mexican-Panamanian cooking, which mixed with the friendly staff and the bright atmosphere was a joy to grab lunch at.
Kotowa Chocolate Victoria
For a naughty sweet treat and all types of coffee head to Kotowa Chocolate. It’s just on the outskirts of town and has some fantastic individual chocolates to gobble up, pair it with the macchiato and it’s an explosion of warm, velvety chocolate direct to your taste buds.
Restaurante MEYE BOUNORE boquete
Make sure you order from the canteen and not off the menu, it’s much better value for money and is more authentic Panamanian cooking. It’s all good, especially the fried fish with rice, soft plantains (squidgy shallow-fried banana of sorts) beans, yuka and juice; you’ll get this all for about $5!
Milque Burger
If you’re in need of some deep-fried golden chicken Milque Burger was recommended to us by a local we met on the bus over to Boquete. We actually didn’t get to go but he did say it was the best chicken in Boquete!
Things To Do In Boquete FAQs
There are no beaches in Boquete and it’s worth knowing that the nearest beaches are Las Lajas and Las Olas both about 1 hour and 45 minutes away on the Pacific coast. To get there you can catch a bus from Boquete to David and then transfer on another bus to the beach. If you want to visit the Caribbean coast and the Bocas del Toro community, it will take about 3 and a half hours.
Due to its tropical location, there are many bugs such as mosquitos, flies and insects in Panama, however, in Boquete, there are considerably fewer due to the cooler climate. But don’t be fooled there still are many bugs, especially in the jungle. Take insect repellant when hiking and in humid environments.
It’s not possible to flush toilet paper down the toilets in Boquete. The drains are too small and not set up for it, instead, you will need to throw the tissue into the bin supplied in the bathrooms.
Deliciously so, it is possible to drink tap water in Boquete Panama. This is because it comes from the mountains and is filtered through the rocks. Drinking tap water in Boquete is actually encouraged as it tastes delicious and is better for the environment.
The locals in Boquete speak Spanish as their first language (unless talking about the indigenous tribes in the region) but due to the large ex-pat community in Boquete, many of the locals do speak a good level of English. The majority will be able to understand you if you speak slowly and clearly.
Conclusion: Things To Do In Boquete Panama
Hopefully, by now, you are fully prepared for your trip to Boquete and have a list of things to do, which includes some of the exciting activities I’ve mentioned above.
Boquete truly is a magical town, and somewhere we both really enjoyed. If we ever manage to visit Panama again, it’s somewhere I would like to revisit to tick off a few of those hikes we missed and drink their delicious coffee again!
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