Boquete - A Mountain Paradise
Tucked away on the eastern slopes of the Volcan Barú is the small and charming village of Boquete. Known to produce some of the sweetest oranges in all of Panama, Boquete is quickly becoming a haven for tourists and visitors seeking to experience the various tours, vegetation, trails, and of course to relish quite possibly the most enchanting weather in the world. Visitors bask in Boquete's sunny and cool mountain weather and marvel at the exquisite vistas. Boquete's weather and healthy climate has prompted many to believe it is the secret to longevity, many native Boqueteños have lived well past 100 years! Boquete's surrounding hills and slopes are primarily covered in coffee plantations which are quickly gaining acclaim among international coffee connoisseurs. Coffee is primarily picked by the Guaymi Indians during the months of October through February. Coffee picking season is a festive time where colorfully clad Indian families come from various parts of the province to harvest the coffee cherries. Tours through some of the coffee fincas of Boquete can be arranged for those rafters interested in seeing the origins of their morning brew at Coffee Adventures.
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The Province of Chiriqui
 Known as the "valley of the moon" by the Ngobe-Bugle (Guaymi) Indians, the Chiriqui province borders with Costa Rica and is where Panama's highest peak, the Barú volcano, extends into the sky at the height of 3,475 meters (11,340 ft). Known for seeing both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans at the same time, the view at the summit is nothing less than breathtaking. From this beautiful peak the rivers of Chiriqui gracefully descend and majestically carve their way through some of the most pristine and beautiful cloud forests in the country. These various and abundant rivers nourish the country's vast and varied plant, animal and insect population making this small isthmus a haven for unmatched and untamed wildlife. It has even been said that Panama has a biodiversity three times higher than that of Europe, the United States and Canada combined! With all this blessed diversity Panama is a treasure find for the intrepid traveler.
With its own spectrum of climates and geography, Chiriqui is known for its grand variety of birds including the magnificent Quetzal, Blue-Crowned Motmot, and the Flame-Colored Tanager. The country boasts 12 different life zones and a recorded 929 species of birds. Panama has become a famous site for zealous bird watchers, scientists, and internationally recognized research institutes.
Also recognized as Panama's breadbasket, Chiriqui encompasses a region of steep hills, narrow passes, and picturesque valleys, much of which is blanketed by the rich and fertile volcanic ash of the Volcan Barú. As a result, Chiriqui is the leading agricultural sector of Panama and produces most everything in a fruitful and delicious abundance.
Aside from the monumental feat of the construction of the Panama Canal, Panama is an extraordinarily diverse land filled with Caribbean spirit, lush and verdant Central American geography, and Indigenous magic that serve to remind us of our rich cultural past. Due to the country's strategic location as a land bridge between Central and South America, Panama's biodiversity is in a word, stunning. |
