Boquete is headquarters for the river rafting companies which will send you on the white water of the Chiriqui Viejo and Estí rivers for class 2, 3, 4, and 5 adventures. Horseback is another way to go. Or hiking... public trails in the Palo Alto cloud forest are easy to follow and sneakers are fine. To go higher, waterproof hiking boots and a guide are recommended. Big event of Boquete’s year is the Flower and Coffee Fair every January.
You can walk around the fairground on the banks of the Caldera River to see the flowers at any time. They are best in December and January. Other gardens to enjoy are El Explorador, open weekends and holidays and by special request, and the renowned formal gardens of the Gonzalez family which are open to the public free of charge. Other events of note are the Orchid Fair in April and the Ecological fair in June. If bathing in hot springs or cold rivers appeals, the area of Caldera is your goal.
Very recently a new wave of immigrants has settled in the highlands. These are folk from North America and Europe seeking a retirement home, a second home or an investment such as in the field of tourism. Boquete is still un-spoilt but infrastructure such as restaurants and small hotels is enlivening the town. The Hotel Panamonte, the town’s longest established hotel, still offers the finest dining on the mountain in unpretentious elegance and with old-world courteous service.
Dos Rios de SantaRosa
