Tucked away on the eastern slopes of the Baru Volcano is the small and charming mountain village of Boquete. It is known to produce some of the sweetest oranges and richest coffees in all of Panama and has an everlasting spring-like climate.
The surrounding hills and slopes are primarily covered in shade-grown coffee plantations, providing a rich product recognized by international connoisseurs. Known for their sustainable farming practices, these farms are recognised the world over by conservationist and are home to an abundance of birds equal to those found in the cloud forests higher on the mountain.
Coffee is primarily picked by the Guaymi Indians – recognisable by their brightly coloured necklaces, woven bags, and dresses – during the months of October through February. A number of these indigenous people live in the hills around Boquete and supply the labour required in local coffee farms and plantations.
Coincident with the coffee harvest is the Flower Festival. The gardens of Boquete are rivalled only by the great Mediterranean garden centres of California, Italy, and South Africa. This verdant production is best witnessed at the Festival, but can be seen throughout the year in a variety of contexts. Bromeliads cover the shade trees on the fincas. Deep flowerbeds adorn the inns.
The best way to see the cloud forest flora and fauna is to catch a ride over to Cerro Punta, pick up the trailhead around the mountain’s backside and hike a 4 hours trail back to Boquete. Walking among some of the largest trees in the hemisphere, time stands still.
The silence broken only by birdcalls that give away the positions of those that you seek among the draping moss and brightly colored bromeliads. The trail is moderately improved, but not too strenuous, dropping elevation along the route. It will be a lifetime bird watching experience. The Boquete area is also a beautiful place to go horseback riding and the river Chiriqui Grande is excellent for white water rafting (Class 2-4).
