Boquete is a wonderful place to visit because there is SO much to do here. There are lots of excursions, where it’s recommended to have a tour guide (hiking, rafting, coffee tours, etc.), but there are also dozens of fun things that you can DO ON YOUR OWN.
To me, this is perfect for students who want to study Spanish “long-term” in our community (3+ weeks), because you can make the experience more personal by really getting out and exploring your new temporary home.
Are you wondering what those FREE things to do are? Here are my favorites, but keep in mind that there are lots more! I recommend that upon arrival to Boquete, you talk to our team at the front desk, as well as to our teachers and other students to find out what their favorite things to do in Boquete are.
Hit the town with your fellow students and find a nice spot to enjoy a picnic.
Walks
I love to take a few hours during the weekend to get outside and connect with nature. Though I would recommend going with a guide or a group if you plan on hiking in the woods, there are some great walks along windy roads in the mountains, which are easily accessed from the downtown Boquete area (“Bajo Boquete”).
This picture really doesn't do justice to how beautiful the scenery of Boquete is. This is from a walk in the Jaramillo area.
Easy Walks (1 - 2 hours)
- Arco Iris Loop (medium blue)
- To CEFATI Building (light blue)
- To Aqueduct Overlook (dark blue)
Medium Walks (2 - 3 hours)
- Medio Jaramillo Loop (orange)
- To La Horqueta (yellow)
- To El Salto (red)
Hard Walks (more than hours)
- Volcancito Loop (dark green)
- Bajo Mono / Alto Quiel Loop(yellow)
- To El Salto (red)
Take in Spectacular Views
Being located in a mountain valley, Boquete has some beautiful views. These spots below are some of my favorites because you can sit down and relax. Moreover, you will catch amazing views all around Boquete!
- Finca Lerida is a great half-day or even full-day trip. They are tucked away in the mountains and provide a beautiful view of the country-side. You can take a coffee tour, bird watching tour, or simply wander around on the multiple trails on the property. There is also a nice restaurant (expensive) and a cafe. Great way to pass a relaxing afternoon!
- Aqueduct in Bajo Jaramillo - I love this little “secret” spot because it’s walkable from town. Once you reach the top, you can sit on the aqueduct and contemplate everything, while basking in a perfect view of Bajo Boquete.
- CEFATI Tourist Center - The CEFATI building is easily walkable from Bajo Boquete or Alto Boquete and provides a unique view of the Caldera River and entire valley. There is also a Kotowa Coffee Shop, so it’s fantastic for a relaxing morning or afternoon. Upstairs in the information center is a museum of Boquete history, which has a lot of good information too.
- El Mirador Cafe - This gem is located in Alto Jaramillo and you will find the BEST view of Volcan Baru from here. This cafe is joined with rental cabañas, all owned by a young Panamanian couple. They have a beautifully manicured garden as well. It’s really the perfect spot to take in the fresh air of Boquete!
View of the Baru Volcano from El Mirador Cafe in Alto Jaramillo
Little Adventures
If you have a morning or afternoon to spare and you are looking for something entertaining, check out these activities:
- Browse the Fairgrounds - If you are lucky enough to be in Boquete during a fair, you will get to see a traditional Panamanian event. Panamanians from all over the country come to Boquete for these fairs! There is one in January (flowers and coffee) and one in April (orchids). If you aren’t here during a fair, that’s ok because the fairgrounds are open all year long. You can walk around the gardens, which run beside the river and provides for a nice relaxing setting.
- Play soccer with the locals - If you are active and enjoy team sports, I highly suggest mixing with the locals in a game of outdoor soccer or “futsal” (indoor soccer). There are pickup games in stadiums all over Boquete, for instance in Los Naranjos, Alto Boquete, Bajo Boquete, Jaramilla Medio, etc. Just ask your host family or the Reception staff which field is closest to where you live and check it out in the late afternoon. I’m sure you’ll find guys and girls already starting to kick the ball around. :)
- La Jungla - This is an animal rescue center located in Palmira. Though it’s not in the best condition and it’s not free (the tour is $10), it’s still a good way to support the upkeep of the animals. It’s also fun to see monkeys and tropical birds up close. You might even get to interact with the animals more personally if you go on a Tuesday when they open the cages and let them run free on the property.
Don't miss your chance to explore Boquete... an adventure full of natural beauty awaits you around the corner!
As you can see there are TONS of things to do in Boquete to keep you busy for many weeks without end. For those who love nature and the outdoors with a pleasant spring like mountain climate, Boquete is the perfect place to immerse yourself into the Spanish language and experience Central America at its best!
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