BOQUETE, PANAMA
This small town is popular because it shows you a different side of Panama. Nestled in the mountainous Chiriquí region, Boquete is cut in two by the Caldera River and is very close in proximity to an active volcano. If you are looking for a change in scenery, take a visit to the Panamanian countryside and add Boquete to your itinerary!
Attractions:
Hike Volcán Barú: Are you willing to hike through the night to reach the highest point in Panama? This hike is 26km (16 miles) in total, gains 1,775m in elevation, and takes between 9-11 hours round-trip. No one said it was going to be easy! Most people take the 15-minute bus (costs $5) from town at 11:30pm. The hike up takes 5-6 hours and is quite steep. Catching the sunrise up on the peak of the volcano is definitely worth every step though! Plus, if you get a clear day, it is possible to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from the top! Since you will be so high, it will be very cold; bring extra layers! Other items to bring include a headlamp ($2 in town), plenty of food, and a lot of water. After admiring the sunrise, the hike down takes 4-5 hours. You will enjoy taking in the scenery that you could not see on the way up! A taxi back to town costs $10. This hike can also be completed during the day; up to you!
Pro Tip: Check when the sun rises the day you plan to do the hike and try to time it so you don’t have to wait too long on the top of the volcano in the dark and cold!
Caldera Hot Springs: Getting to these springs is a journey but they are very relaxing once you arrive! For $1, take a 30-minute bus from Boquete to Caldera Junction. From here, hail a taxi for $5 and the driver will take you to the beginning of a gravel road leading to the springs; the walk from here is 45 minutes. Entrance to the springs costs $2 and there are plenty of different natural springs you can soak in here - some hot, some cold. Overall, the round-trip commute is 3 hours and costs $14. Worth it!
Jungla de Panama Wildlife Refuge: 20 minutes from Boquete’s city center by taxi, this animal sanctuary is free to enter. Animals are brought here if injured and are released once healthy. There are parrots, toucans, spider monkeys, and much more! A taxi here from the city center costs $6 one-way.
Other attractions include: El Explorador, Los Ladrillos, Franklin’s Horseback Riding, and Ruiz Coffee Plantation.
Accommodation:
Spanish by the River: This hostel is 15 minutes by taxi ($2) from the city center but has a homey feel to it. If you are looking to experience some seclusion in the Panamanian countryside, this is your spot! For an option in the city center, try Hostel Mamallena; they also have a branch in Panama City.
Transportation:
Boquete’s main bus station is located next to Plaza Central; all buses below leave from here.
Bocas del Toro is 4.5 hours by bus and ferry from Boquete (indirect; via David and Almirante) and costs $16. The first bus from Boquete to David is 1 hour and costs $1.75. The second bus from David to Almirante is 4 hours and costs $8. The final leg is a 30-minute ferry ride from Almirante to Bocas del Toro; tickets cost $6 and can be bought at the dock.
Panama City is 8 hours by bus from Boquete (indirect; via David) and costs $22. The first bus from Boquete to David is 1 hour and costs $1.75. The second bus from David to Panama City is 7 hours and costs $20.
The flight from David (DAV) to Panama City (PAC) is 1 hour and costs $75-$150. To get to DAV from Boquete, a taxi ride is 1 hour and costs $15-$20 depending on the time of day.
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica is 8 hours by shuttle bus from Boquete and costs $55.
San José, Costa Rica is 9 hours by bus from Boquete (indirect; via David and Paso Canoas) and costs $22. The first bus from Boquete to David is 1 hour and costs $1.75. The second bus from David to Paso Canoas is 1 hour and costs $2.25. The third and final bus from Paso Canoas to San José is 7 hours and costs $18.
At Paso Canoas when crossing the border of Panama into Costa Rica, there are a lot of restrictions. See my Costa Rica page for more information on what you need to have prepared to cross; they are strict!
You cannot fly direct from David to San José; all flights connect in Panama City.
The closest airport to Boquete is Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV) which is located in David, 50km outside Boquete. By taxi, the ride is 1 hour and costs $15-$20 depending on the time of day.
Thank you, Jessie, for taking the photos of me on top of Volcán Barú!