Visiting Boquete | Your guide to Panama’s hiking haven

Exploring Boquete Where to stay Where to eat How to get around

What to expect in Boquete

Nestled in Panama’s most mountainous region, Boquete is a place that hikers, nature-lovers and coffee fanatics dream of.

Want to climb a volcano? Baru Volcano is steps away from Boquete. Fancy trying some of the best coffee in Panama? Good thing you’re going to Boquete, it’s famous for its coffee region.

Boquete’s collection of microclimates means that no two hikes are the same. Couple that with diverse wildlife and you’ve got some pretty memorable hikes on the cards.

Is Boquete worth visiting?

If you’re a fan of incredible scenery, hiking, coffee, adventure activities or waterfalls, then Boquete should be on your Panama itinerary.

How you experience Boquete is completely up to you. Some people like to put their body to the test and embark on as many of Boquete’s trails as possible. The brave amongst us take on the summit of Baru Volcano — an unforgettable experience.

Others decide that Boquete is the ideal place to sit back, relax and just listen to the sound of nature all around them. Either option guarantees a great time in Boquete.

How many days should you spend in Boquete?

Once you hear about all of the amazing hikes in Boquete, you’ll probably want to extend your stay, but most people opt for 3-5 days in Boquete.

This gives you enough time to do some hikes, a couple of adventure activities and actually take a day to relax.

To help you make the most of your time in Boquete, we’ve put together a list of the top things to do in Boquete.

Where to stay in Boquete

Boquete’s population sits at just under 25,000. It’s a pretty small town which means that there aren’t a ton of areas to choose where to stay.

We’d recommend staying close to the centre of town, or going with the accommodation that you like the most.

Accommodation in Boquete

There isn’t a huge amount of choice when it comes to accommodation and it’s also not the cheapest of places to stay. In Boquete, it’s hard to find a nice private room for less than $30.

That being said, there are some incredible places to stay. Accommodations that will make you feel like you’ve entered a jungle retreat.

Boutique Garden Inn ticks all the relaxation boxes and Eco Horqueta offers the right ingredients for wellness — seriously their breakfasts are amazing! If you’re travelling solo and looking for a social vibe, Blasina Beer Hostel is a great place to stay with a ton of tours on offer and fellow adventure lovers to share the experience with.

Best places to eat in Boquete

Eating in Boquete is almost a thing to do in itself. There are plenty of delicious restaurants and cafes to try. Most places love to make the most of the natural produce around them and you can really taste the difference!

To make sure you eat at the best places in Boquete, here are our 3 favourite spots:

RetroGusto Restaurant and Bar — incredible farm-to-table restaurant

RetroGusto is the place to go for top-quality food. They’re the first Italian farm-to-table restaurant in Panama, with a focus on community, sustainability and fresh products.

The menu includes yellowfin tuna, ravioli and their must-try pizza. They import their dough from Naples! It will be hard to find a more authentic pizza in Panama.

Sugar and Spice — freshly-baked sweet treats and bread

Sugar and Spice’s sweet treats are irresistible. The smell of their freshly-baked bread will have you salivating as soon as you step inside. You can pick up some goodies to go or dine in.

They offer delicious breakfasts and lunch. Think breakfast burritos, waffles, pancakes, omelettes and sandwiches. You might end up visiting this place on the daily.

The Fish House — a must-try for seafood lovers

The Fish House is where you’ll find the best seafood in Boquete. The portions are hefty, the fish fresh and the price tag fair. What more can you want?

Their traditional fish and chips is a best-seller. But why not also try tuna, mahi-mahi or treat yourself to some lobster?

How to get around Boquete

By foot

Boquete is a small town that’s easily walkable. Most accommodations are within walking distance to everything you’ll need — restaurants, shops, cafes.

For some of the things to do around Boquete, you might have to use one of the transportation options below.

By bus

There are plenty of buses and colectivos (minibuses) in Boquete. They’re also easy to use. Even though there’s no official timetable, it somehow works!

Buses tend to display their destination in their windscreen. Most buses start in downtown Boquete and follow a loop into the surrounding neighbourhoods before returning to downtown Boquete, near the bridge.

You can also flag down the bus from any other street. Most bus journey’s cost less than $2, and should be paid to the driver.

By taxi

Taxis are also a great way to get around Boquete as they are cheap and drop you exactly where you need to be. Short journeys around the town should cost around $2.

For journeys outside of Boquete, agree on a price before getting in.

By car

Having your own car always offers ultimate flexibility and freedom. Boquete can be a good place to have a rental car, as you can easily reach some of the destinations a bit further out.

Top tip: We’d recommend hiring the car in Panama City. It’s likely to be cheaper than renting it in Boquete, and you can use it to get there. Car rental from Panama City starts at around $16/day.

By e-bike

Renting an e-bike is an adventure in itself. Those things go pretty fast!

They’re a great way to explore Boquete and the surrounding area. If you rent from Soul Planet Cycles, their tyres are nice and chunky, allowing you to take on most terrains.

Hiring a bike for 2 hours costs $30.

In summary

Now that you’ve finished reading this guide, you’re almost ready for your adventure in Boquete. The next step is to create your personalised itinerary with our top picks of things to do in Boquete. Simply choose your favourite activities and places to visit, and you’re all set to make lasting memories in Panama.

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