So you've visited Boquete Panama to study Spanish and want to return – for keeps. Or, maybe you're researching Boquete and want to dip your toe in the shallow end, stay for a bit and see if this is your kind of place (if planning to relocate, rent for a while before buying!!!). There are a number of resources to help you meet new people, get the lay of the land and see if you want to become one of the expats who call the 'Land of Eternal Griping' (I mean, Spring) home. (Sorry. Lesson number 1: expats always gripe about griping expats.)
Just came to Boquete for some Spanish lessons and managed to fall in love with our town? Yep... that happens!
When I first moved here (six years ago!), my partner Jason and I didn't get a chance to test things out: we landed in Panama City on April 23rd and by May 1st, we were running a hotel in Boquete Panama. Hotelier-wise, we were green, so our priority was figuring out how to operate our business. In Panama. In another language. Without having simultaneous nervous breakdowns. Things like newcomers dinners didn't exist, and if they had, we would have been too exhausted to attend.
But I'll assume most of you aren't making such a bold (read: crazy) transition, so here are some great resources to help you settle into life in Boquete (or see if it's, in fact, a life you want to settle in to).
- Newcomer and Visitor Social Dinner & Events
- Tuesday Morning Meeting and Market
- Boquete Ning
- News Boquete
- The Boquete (not for tourists!) Handbook
- The Sugar and Spice Patio
Some of our old habits helped us make it through our first years in Boquete
Newcomer and Visitor Social Dinner & Events
This is a great opportunity to meet visitors, people who have just moved here and old schoolies alike. The group, informally led by local hiking legend Jere McCormick, meets every Friday. It is necessary to RSVP – no walk-ins! Like Fight Club, they send out a secret message with venue location every Wednesday. (1st rule of Newcomer Dinner...) Or just follow the link to the Newcomer group on Ning and they'll put you on their mailing list. This is a fun, welcoming group with no agenda, which is always nice. “Share your experiences about life in Panama or find out more. Always an informal event without a program or sales pitch. Come on out enjoy the evening!"
Tuesday morning meeting and market
Jewellery, crafts, remedies with secret formulas, seated massages, arepas (mmmmm), gold, goodies, organic produce and more. Located across the bridge towards the fairgrounds. Go to the Central Park and keep walking. You'll see a Cafe Duran to your right and the bridge will be straight ahead. You'll also see a lot of folks milling around with floral-printed recyclable bags, Tommy Bahama shirts, big straw hats and sandals. Follow them. At 10:30 am in the theater, guest speakers share their knowledge about topics of interest to the Boquete community. Read more about the Tuesday market at the end of this page...
Whether you're a resident or just visiting, you shouldn't miss the Tuesday Markets in Boquete
Boquete Ning
Ok. This group can get a little barmy at times. It is an excellent source of information, but it can also be a source of small town gossip, backbiting, trolling, drama and intrigue. There are some incendiary participants who are a fixture on the site, but there are also some truly kind and helpful people (Keith – the King of Ning!). Established by Lee Zeltzer, the man behind the excellent Boquete Guide blog, Boquete Ning provides information for tourists, locals and people researching Boquete: changes to laws, news, where to buy stuff, what to look out for, events and local resources, restaurants and hotels.
News Boquete
This free, subscription-based community service is a great source of information about events, offers from local businesses, updates from different embassies and more. The notices are sent directly to your email, all you have to do is sign up. Send an email to news.boquete@gmail.com with the word subscribe in the subject line.
The Boquete (not for tourists!) Handbook
Insider Information for Surviving Life in Boquete, Panama. Written by longtime Panama resident Dianne Heidke, this excellent, sometimes irreverent, resource is chock-full of practical information about day to day life in Boquete. No sugar coating. No sales pitches.
Dianne is even sassier in person.
The Sugar and Spice Patio
Maybe I'm joking. Maybe I'm not. Frequented by a number of expats who have no difficulties (or qualms about) projecting their voices. Depending on the content, this could be a good thing, or a bad thing. Buy some fresh baked goods, a sandwich, coffee or their fresh lemonade, sit back and watch the show.
At Sugar and Spice you will find delicious artisan breads and interesting characters. Same goes for Kotowa Coffee at Los Establos Plaza.
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