By now, there is a great risk that you have heard a number of the buzz that has made Boquete – bow-Keh-day, Panama a pinnacle destination for nature fanatics and eco-travelers in addition to an exceptionally-rated retirement vacation spot. As it appears that a period of financial uncertainty may be looming in some components of the world and growing land expenses in Panama may be taking a short pause, this can be an appropriate time to plan your first visit to explore this beautiful little town and test out the real property offerings. Now the query arises. How do we get there?

Location

The country of Panama is placed between Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. The capital, Panama City, and the Panama Canal are located in the eastern give up, even as Boquete and its airport hub, David – dah-need – is at the other give up, now not some distance from the border with Costa Rica. This area offers Boquete a good deal of its quiet appeal. However, it requires a touch extra making plans to make the ride. More facts approximately your tour options will observe.

Best Time to Visit

There are two seasons in Panama and specifically Boquete. The green season is September via December, with the heaviest rains in October. Often mornings are clear, with rain coming in the late afternoon. The dry season starts offevolved in January, making the first-rate months to go from January through August. Don’t forget, even within the inexperienced season; daily temperatures are in a totally cozy range from the high 60’s to the high 70’s. Nice!

Getting to Panama City

There are indications that a primary growth of the David airport near Boquete is ready to start, bringing many greater direct flights from the U.S. And other international locations. Even as these alternatives increase, it is a great idea to spend at least a couple of days in Panama City at the start of your adventure. We like SideStep.Com for airfare comparisons and TripLister.Com for inn reservations.

There are two airports that serve the Panama City area. The international airport Tocumen – airport code PTY, is located approximately 20 miles outside the city middle. This might be where you’ll enter u. S… The smaller, regional airport placed just outside of downtown is Albrook – airport code PAC and is in which you will connect to flights to David. Departure times are really constrained out of Albrook. Another correct reason to spend a night, or two, in Panama City. Note:

There is any other airfare alternative that skips Panama City. You can fly first into San Jose, Costa Rica -airport code SJO, then take Air Panama from there to David. This is not advocated until your timetable from home fits nicely with the restrained connecting flights on Air Panama. Once you have arrived at Tocumen International, you will want to take a taxi or shuttle into Panama City. Except you’re renting a vehicle there – beware, the town center is traffic madness. The current price for a taxi is about $27 every way.

It is noticeably recommended which you make preparations with a neighborhood tour guide to pick you up at the airport. This manual can get you in your resort and even take you on a customized excursion of purchasing, cultural, canal, scenic areas so that you can get cozy with the metropolis with a minimum of concerns. After that, taxis are only some greenbacks to almost anywhere inside the metropolis. Although surprises are few, constantly verify the fare earlier than getting into the cab.

A little Spanish exercise might be helpful at this factor, and all alongside your journey. Some places to go to while in Panama City might be Casco Viejo, the historic center, the city center – be careful for heavy site visitors, the Amador Causeway – on foot, motorcycle driving, ocean and canal-ship perspectives, awesome restaurants, casinos, and, of course, the Panama Canal and its museum. While Panama has an exceedingly low crime charge, some regions keep away from it, mainly at night. Check together with your inn for a recommendation before heading out for your personal.

Heading for David and Boquete

There are 3 ways to get to Boquete from Panama City. The first option is to take a bus to the metropolis of David, then lease an automobile there for the forty-five-minute pressure to Boquete. Buses leave from the Albrook airport several times every day for the 7-8 hour ride, with approximately $25 each. Check along with your hotel for info. The 2nd alternative is to rent a vehicle either at Tocumen Airport or in Panama City and power to Boquete. Outside of the town, the drive is truly quite smooth, and the roads are appropriate – Pan-American Highway, four lanes part of the way. The ride will take 6 to 8 hours depending on weather and prevents.

An aspect journey to Coronado on the coast of El Valle in the mountains, along with the manner, is a pleasing break. Most tourists prefer the scenic one-hour flight from Albrook Airport to David. Your selections are Air Panama or Aeroperlas. You can then lease a vehicle at the David airport from agencies like Dollar, National, etc. Here’s a tip: Luggage weights are strictly controlled – about 30 pounds in step with character – on the nearby airlines, and you’ll be charged for obese luggage. Consider leaving some gadgets in a spare suitcase at your resort in Panama City and picking them up for your go-back journey.

David, Panama

This metropolis, the capital of Chriqui province, has a populace of about125,000 human beings. While now not tons of surroundings, it will likely be your source for almost all purchases besides groceries, banking, and restaurants while living in Boquete. Here is David; you may locate hardware shops, automobile dealerships, most lawyers, government offices, Price Club – Costco, and even that well-known American hamburger chain. If your agenda allows, it is a superb concept to look around the metropolis at both quits of your trip into the highlands.

Beautiful Boquete, Panama

By this time on your journey, you’ll probably be ready for the peace and beauty this is specific to Boquete. The turnoff from the Pan American Highway in David is genuinely marked. However, anybody can come up with guidelines. The pressure is ready 45 mins as the highway lightly takes you to the cool elevation of over 3000 feet – one thousand meters – above sea stage. Allow a touch greater time on the occasion you get at the back of a gradual-transferring truck or bus. The street to Boquete has been accredited for widening to 4 lanes, and production will start quickly.

As you climb upward, the lovely Volcan Baru will come into sight. Later, losing into the little valley of Boquete is a sight you may don’t forget continually. That being said, here is a little caution approximately your first visit: If you’ve got been doing studies on Boquete and feature pictured a quaint, fairy-tale metropolis out of the Napa Valley wine u. S ., put together for a little reality take a look at. Boquete, even though fascinating and continuously converting, continues to be a sleepy Latin-American town. Fear not! Everywhere you pass, and everybody you meet will make you return to apprehend what a special area this is. Slow down, breathe within the natural air, exchange the neighborhood greeting Buenas in numerous instances, and you will start to sense the vibe.

What to See in Boquete

Once you are settled into your lodge – Panamonte Inn, Boquete Garden Inn, and Los Establos Inn are all right alternatives; begin with a walking excursion of downtown Boquete. Practice your Spanish even as wandering in and out of the various stores. Visit the Romero Supermercado at the back of the imperative park to get an idea of neighborhood grocery fees and choice. Coffee, vegetables, fish, rum, and fowl are very cheap, while American merchandise like Kraft cheese is not. Also bordering the park is the nearby indoor farmer’s market providing produce at first-rate expenses. Next, explore your dining alternatives – Boquete Bistro, Panamonte Inn, and Delicias Peru are noticeably encouraged. Now it’s time to take a riding tour of the location.

There are 3 primary loops to explore, all of which, in the end, bring you again into the city. The first, Volcancito, starts at the large visitor middle at the pinnacle of the hill before heading into the valley, skirts the volcano’s base, and brings you back into town through El Salto Road. For the second one loop, undergo proper at the fork at the pinnacle of the city, bypass the Panamonte Inn, force up to the Palo Alto espresso-developing region after which lower back into important Boquete.

Don’t leave out the Mi Jardin gardens simply before you re-input city. The 0.33 loop takes you throughout the bridge at the fairgrounds, close to the relevant park once more, up into the Jaramillo vicinity, after which again into civilization, passing the Los Establos Inn towards the stop the journey. Your lodge can provide you with many beneficial thoughts for activities such as a hike up the volcano, coffee plantation excursions, white-water rafting, nature and canopy excursions, A.T.V. Or horseback rides, and many other excursions.