| By now there is a good chance that you have heard | | | | Boquete. Outside of the city, the drive is actually quite |
| some of the buzz that has made Boquete - | | | | easy and the roads are good - Pan-American |
| bow-keh-tay, Panama a top destination for nature | | | | Highway, four lanes part of the way. The trip will take |
| lovers and eco-tourists as well as a highly-rated | | | | 6 to 8 hours depending on weather and stops. A side |
| retirement destination. As it appears that a period of | | | | trip to Coronado on the coast or El Valle in the |
| economic uncertainty may be looming in some parts of | | | | mountains, along the way is a nice break. Most |
| the world and rising land prices in Panama may be | | | | travelers prefer the scenic one-hour flight from |
| taking a brief pause, this may be the perfect time to | | | | Albrook Airport to David. Your two choices are Air |
| plan your first visit to explore this beautiful little town | | | | Panama or Aeroperlas. You can then rent a car at the |
| and check out the real estate offerings. Now the | | | | David airport from companies like Dollar, National, etc. |
| question arises ... How do we get there? | | | | Here's a tip: Luggage weights are strictly controlled - |
| Location | | | | about 30 pounds per person - on the regional airlines, |
| The country of Panama is located between Costa | | | | and you may be charged for overweight bags. |
| Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. The | | | | Consider leaving some items in a spare suitcase at |
| capital, Panama City and the Panama Canal is located | | | | your hotel in Panama City and pick them up on your |
| closer to the eastern end, while Boquete and its airport | | | | return trip. |
| hub, David - dah-veed - is at the opposite end, not far | | | | David, Panama |
| from the border with Costa Rica. This location gives | | | | This city, the capital of Chriqui province, has a |
| Boquete much of its quiet charm, but requires a little | | | | population of about125,000 people. While not much for |
| extra planning to make the trip. More information about | | | | scenery it will be your source for almost all purchases |
| your travel options will follow. | | | | besides groceries, banking and restaurants while living |
| Best Time to Visit | | | | in Boquete. Here in David you will find hardware stores, |
| There are two seasons in Panama and especially | | | | auto dealerships, most attorneys, government offices, |
| Boquete. The green season is September through | | | | Price Club - Costco, and even that famous American |
| December, with the heaviest rains in October. Often | | | | hamburger chain. If your schedule allows it is a good |
| mornings are clear with rain coming in the late | | | | idea to have a look around town at either end of your |
| afternoon. The dry season begins in January, making | | | | trip into the highlands. |
| the best months to visit from January through August. | | | | Beautiful Boquete, Panama |
| Don't forget, even in the green season daily | | | | By this time in your journey you will probably be ready |
| temperatures are in a very comfortable range from | | | | for the peace and beauty that is unique to Boquete. |
| the high 60's to high 70's. Nice! | | | | The turnoff from the Pan American Highway in David |
| Getting to Panama City | | | | is clearly marked, but anyone can give you directions. |
| There are indications that a major expansion of the | | | | The drive is about 45 minutes as the highway gently |
| David airport near Boquete is about to begin, bringing | | | | takes you to the cool elevation of over 3000 feet - |
| with it many more direct flights from the U.S. and other | | | | 1000 meters - above sea level. Allow a little extra time |
| countries. Even as these options increase it is a good | | | | in the event you get behind a slow-moving truck or |
| idea to spend at least a couple of days in Panama | | | | bus. The road to Boquete has been approved for |
| City at the beginning of your adventure. We like for | | | | widening to four lanes, and construction will begin |
| airfare comparisons and for hotel reservations. | | | | shortly. As you climb upward the stunning Volcan Baru |
| There are two airports that serve the Panama City | | | | will come into view. Later, dropping into the little valley |
| area. The international airport Tocumen - airport code | | | | of Boquete is a sight you will remember always. That |
| PTY, is located about 20 miles outside of the city | | | | being said, here is a little warning about your first visit: If |
| center. This is probably where you will enter the | | | | you have been doing research on Boquete and have |
| country. The smaller, regional airport located just | | | | pictured a quaint, fairy-tale town out of the Napa |
| outside of downtown is Albrook - airport code PAC | | | | Valley wine country, prepare for a little reality check. |
| and is where you will connect to flights to David. | | | | Boquete, although charming and constantly changing, is |
| Departure times are somewhat limited out of Albrook. | | | | still a sleepy Latin-American town. Fear not! |
| Another good reason to spend a night, or two, in | | | | Everywhere you go, and everyone you meet, will |
| Panama City. Note: There is another airfare alternative | | | | make you come to understand what a special place |
| that skips Panama City. You can fly first into San Jose, | | | | this is. Slow down, breathe in the pure air, exchange |
| Costa Rica -airport code SJO then take Air Panama | | | | the local greeting Buenas several times, and you will |
| from there to David. This is not recommended unless | | | | begin to feel the vibe. |
| your schedule from home fits nicely with the limited | | | | What to See in Boquete |
| connecting flights on Air Panama. Once you've arrived | | | | Once you are settled into your hotel - Panamonte Inn, |
| at Tocumen International you will need to take a taxi or | | | | Boquete Garden Inn and Los Establos Inn are all good |
| shuttle into Panama City unless you are renting a car | | | | options, start with a walking tour of downtown |
| there - beware, the city center is traffic madness. | | | | Boquete. Practice your Spanish while wandering in and |
| Current price for a taxi is about $27 each way. | | | | out of the various shops. Visit the Romero |
| It is highly recommended that you make arrangements | | | | Supermercado behind the central park to get an idea |
| with a local tour guide to pick you up at the airport. This | | | | of local grocery prices and selection. Coffee, |
| guide can get you to your hotel, and even take you on | | | | vegetables, fish, rum and chicken are very cheap, while |
| a personalized tour of shopping, cultural, canal, scenic | | | | American products like Kraft cheese are not. Also |
| areas, so you can get comfortable with the city with a | | | | bordering the park is the local indoor farmer's market |
| minimum of worries. After that, taxis are just a few | | | | offering produce at great prices. Next, explore your |
| dollars to almost anywhere in the city. Although | | | | dining options - Boquete Bistro, Panamonte Inn and |
| surprises are few, always verify the fare before | | | | Delicias Peru are highly recommended. Now it's time to |
| getting into the cab. A little Spanish practice will be | | | | take a driving tour of the area. There are three main |
| helpful at this point, and all along your journey. Some | | | | loops to explore, all of which eventually bring you back |
| places to visit while in Panama City might be Casco | | | | into town. The first, Volcancito begins at the large |
| Viejo, the historical center, the city center - watch out | | | | visitor center at the top of the hill before heading into |
| for heavy traffic, the Amador Causeway - walking, | | | | the valley, skirts the base of the volcano, and brings |
| bike riding, ocean and canal-ship views, great | | | | you back into town via El Salto Road. For the second |
| restaurants, casinos, and, of course, the Panama Canal | | | | loop, bear right at the fork at the top of town, pass the |
| and its museum. While Panama has a relatively low | | | | Panamonte Inn, drive up to the Palo Alto |
| crime rate there are a few areas to avoid, especially | | | | coffee-growing area and then back into central |
| at night. Check with your hotel for advice before | | | | Boquete. Don't miss the Mi Jardin gardens just before |
| heading out on your own. | | | | you re-enter town. The third loop takes you across the |
| Heading for David and Boquete | | | | bridge at the fairgrounds, near the central park again, |
| There are three ways to get to Boquete from | | | | up into the Jaramillo area, and then back into civilization |
| Panama City. The first option is to take a bus to the | | | | passing the Los Establos Inn toward the end of the |
| city of David, then rent a car there for the 45-minute | | | | journey. Your hotel can give you many helpful ideas |
| drive to Boquete. Buses depart from the Albrook | | | | for activities including a hike up the volcano, coffee |
| airport several times daily for the 7-8 hour ride, with | | | | plantation tours, white-water rafting, nature and canopy |
| prices about $25 each way. Check with your hotel for | | | | tours, A.T.V. or horseback rides, and many other |
| details. The second option is to rent a car either at | | | | excursions. |
| Tocumen Airport or in Panama City and drive to | | | | Enjoy your visit to Panama! |