Boquete, Panama

Day Trip from Boca Chica to Boquete: Mountain Views, Markets & World-Class Coffee

During our week in Boca Chica, we took a scenic day trip to Boquete, a charming mountain town in western Panama known for its cool climate, lush landscapes, and international expat community. The drive takes about 90 minutes, following well-maintained secondary roads that branch off the Panamerican Highway and lead you through beautiful highland scenery.

A Stop at Gualaca’s Natural Swimming Hole

We broke up the journey with a stop in Gualaca, where we spent an hour at Los Cangilones, a popular natural swimming hole carved from the rock by the Estí River. From Gualaca, it’s just a 30-minute drive to Boquete.

Exploring Boquete: Panama’s Cool-Climate Retreat

Nestled high in the mountains, Boquete offers a refreshing change from the heat of the coast. The weather was sunny when we arrived, but frequent cool squalls swept through town. I was glad I packed a sweater and a rain jacket—without them, you’d be uncomfortable in the cold wind and light rain that can roll through even on clear days.

At the center of town is a lively town square with a pavilion, surrounded by restaurants, travel agencies, and local shops. We parked easily on a nearby back street and spent a few hours walking the charming streets, browsing local markets, and chatting with vendors.

Handicrafts & Street Markets

Boquete is home to several open-air artisan markets, where local craftspeople sell everything from jewelry to textiles. We bought a beautifully handmade alpaca wool blanket for $40 from one of the roadside vendors—a fair price for a unique souvenir. Fresh fruit and produce are also sold from the backs of pickup trucks along the main street.

Coffee Culture at the Source

In the afternoon, we headed to one of the coffee plantations just outside town for a pastry and a cup of locally grown Geisha coffee—often ranked the best coffee in the world. Harvest runs from January to April, and we were able to watch the drying and sorting process firsthand. Beans are typically dried for eight days before being sold green.

Geisha coffee is grown from an ancient Ethiopian varietal that thrives in the volcanic soil of the slopes of Volcán Barú—Panama’s highest peak. Some batches sell for over $1,000 per pound, and it regularly earns the highest tasting scores in global coffee competitions.

Boutique Lodges & Hiking Trails

We capped our visit by driving around the side roads, admiring the many boutique lodges and mountain inns tucked into the hillsides. There are lodging options for every budget, and Boquete is a great place to base yourself for a few days of hiking, rafting, or just enjoying the cooler mountain air.

Back in Time for Happy Hour

After a full and rewarding day, we made the scenic drive back to our villa in Boca Chica, arriving before dark—just in time for happy hour on the balcony. Boquete was the perfect slow travel day trip: cultural, scenic, and rich with flavour and charm.