Town centre
First-timersHostels, cafés and the bus stop.
Town guide
Things to do in Boquete
A mountain town in Panama's western highlands: coffee farms growing the famous Geisha bean, cloud forest trails with quetzals, the sunrise hike up Volcán Barú to see both oceans, hot springs and cool, misty air.
14
Hostels in the city
8.6
Average, from 3,165 reviews
3,474 m
Volcán Barú
3–4
Days
Coffee and cloud forest
Boquete sits at about 1,200 metres in a green valley on the slopes of Volcán Barú, Panama's highest peak, in the province of Chiriquí. It is cooler than the lowlands, with a light drizzle called bajareque drifting through much of the year.
The valley grows some of the world's most prized coffee, including Geisha, and farm tours show how it is grown, roasted and tasted. Around the town are hiking trails through cloud forest, waterfalls and hanging bridges, and Barú's summit, from where you can see the Pacific and the Caribbean on a clear morning.
Boquete has a big community of foreign retirees, so it has good cafés and restaurants. Give it three or four days.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the town centre for hostels, food and buses; the hills around it have farm stays and quieter lodges.
Alto Boquete
QuietSouth of the centre, towards David.
Jaramillo
Views, farmsHills east of town.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 6 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Boquete
Take a coffee farm tour to see the process from the plant to the cup, and taste Geisha. Hike the Pipeline Trail, the Lost Waterfalls trail or the Quetzal Trail through the cloud forest, looking for resplendent quetzals, especially from about February to May.
Climb Volcán Barú overnight to reach the 3,474-metre summit at sunrise; on clear days you see both oceans. It is a long, hard hike, best with a guide.
Cross the hanging bridges in the forest, go white-water rafting on the Chiriquí rivers, and soak in the Caldera hot springs.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking around town, along the river and up to the viewpoints costs nothing. Some trails, like the road walks around the valley, are free.
The Sunday morning market and the town park are free.
The main trails, tours and hot springs charge small fees.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Fondas serve set plates for €4 to €7. Cafés pour local coffee, and many farms sell beans.
Try trout from the highland streams and fresh strawberries.
A 10 per cent tip is usual in restaurants; check the bill first, as some add it.
Nightlife
Going out
Boquete is quiet at night, with a few bars, a brewery and hostel social nights.
Most people go to bed early before hikes.
A beer costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
Buses run from David, about 45 minutes away, every 20 to 30 minutes. David has an airport with flights to Panama City, and buses from Panama City take about 7 hours to David.
Shuttles go to Bocas del Toro (about 4 hours) and Santa Catalina.
In town, walk or take cheap local taxis to the trailheads.
Costs
What Boquete costs
Hostel beds start at around €12 to €20 a night. Fonda plates cost €4 to €7.
A coffee tour costs about €25 to €40, a guided Barú hike about €70 to €120, and trail fees a few euros.
Panama uses the US dollar, alongside its own balboa coins, which are worth the same. Cards work in most places.
Safety
Safety and scams
Boquete is very safe. The risks are on the trails: hikers have gone missing on the Lost Waterfalls and other trails, so stay on marked paths, go with others and tell someone your route.
On Barú, the summit is cold before dawn; bring warm layers and a torch.
Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City and most of the country, but not in Bocas del Toro or on the islands; use bottled or filtered water there. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Mountains, springs and the coast.
Boca Chica
Islands in the Gulf of Chiriquí.
Bocas del Toro
Caribbean islands.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Flowers, coffee and holidays.
January
Flower and Coffee Fair
Boquete
Gardens and coffee.
March or April
Holy Week
Boquete
Busy with Panamanian visitors.
Roughly November to March
Coffee harvest
Boquete farms
Picking season.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Boquete, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
ONDA Boquete
Dorms from €23 a night
See dates and book
Bambuda Castle
Dorms from €22 a night
See dates and book
La Casa de Doña Cata
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
The Journey Hostel
Rooms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Blasina Beer Hostel
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Villa Doraz
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
When to go
December to April is the dry season, windy and sunny, best for Barú. May to November is wet, with afternoon rain. The coffee harvest runs roughly from November to March.
Jan
Dry, windy
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Quetzals
May
Rain starts
Jun
Rain
Jul
Short dry spell
Aug
Rain
Sep
Rain
Oct
Wettest
Nov
Wet, harvest
Dec
Harvest, holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Cool and misty.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Boquete prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Boquete questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can I see both oceans from Volcán Barú?
On a clear morning, yes.
How do I get to Boquete?
By bus from David, about 45 minutes.
Is Boquete safe?
Very; stay on marked trails and hike with others.
Where can I see quetzals?
On the Quetzal Trail, especially from about February to May.
Can I taste Geisha coffee?
Yes, on farm tours.
How many days do I need?
Three to four.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April.
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