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Make The Most of Your Time in Chiriqui, in Panama's highlands
Activities in the Highlands of Panama
A tour of Chiriqui Province travels from Panama's highest point, 11,440 feet at the peak Baru Volcano, to the sea level and sandy beaches along the Gulf of Chiriqui. Whether you prefer the beach or the mountains, living the urban or suburb life, bright sunshine or cool cloudy day, Chiriqui has got it all. Chiriqui, Panama's westernmost province, is a great example of Panama's diversity. The region is on the top of many must-visit lists for both visitors to and residents in Panama. There are many great things to see and do that cannot be found elsewhere in the country, here is a top-5 list we have put together for you!
Boquete
Boquete has to be on the top of the list because most visitors traveling to Chiriqui go straight to Boquete. It is home for as many as 12,000 expats thanks to its near-perfect climate. The town and district of Boquete is elevated 3,940 feet above sea level, on the eastern slope of Baru Volcano, which means its temperature is generally cool, ranging from around 80 F during the day and 60 F at the night. It'sa often enveloped in a mountain mist which the locals call "bajareque".
Boquete is Panama's picturesque mountain paradise, with hints of a small alpine village, with orange groves tucked into the hillsides among the exotic flowering plants. The valley town is flanked by the Caldera River.
It has good variety of choices for dining, ranging from local cafeteria style food, ethnic and very fine cuisine . There is a range of outdoor excursions and activities for the adventure seeker. Be sure to check out the many local waterfalls and hiking trails.
Boquete's is home to world class coffee plantations, winning many awards year after year. Most coffee is grown on large family-owned farms which offer tasting tours of their plantations.
The town hosts the annual Festival of Flowers (Feria de las Flores) since 1984, held in the summer months and showcases the best of Boquete's flowers, world class coffee and local handicrafts. It's no wonder Boquete is known as "The Flower Capital of Panama."
Volcan
Drive to Volcan as the highway that winds uphill is lined with dairy farms, poultry barns, plant nurseries, and fantastic vistas across the landscape. Volcan is smaller than boquete, and enjoys the cool highland climate, hosts fewer tourists and has fewer developments.
Volcan is in open country and spreads out toward the border with Costa Rica in one direction and the looming Baru Volcano in the other (as the name suggests). It is as picturesque and peaceful as it gets in the Chiriqui highlands.
Between the highlands surrounding the volcano and the lowlands, along the coast lays the intriguing midlands. It is largely undeveloped and overlooked area spreading from west to east in the foothills below the volcano. For some, this is the perfect location because the climate here is warmer and drier than the highlands, and fresher and cooler than the lowlands.
Volcan is worth a visit, and make sure to visit the coffee plantations in the area. The coffee tours are world-class, and some of Panama's most award-winning beans originate from the hills surrounding Volcan. A definite stop for coffee lovers.
Las Lajas
Situated on the southern side of the Chiriqui province, Las Lajas is a well-known beach area for people all over Western Panama. Its empty beach is in the Pacific side so waves can be a bit bigger and water a bit colder. However, Las Lajas is still a great tropical beach escape for residents of the highlands and of David. The town is becoming more and more popular as the visitors explore its affordability and convenience and it can be easily accessed from David by car, taxi, or bus. Las Lajas is significantly not crowded so if you are searching for a tranquil and quite beach enjoyment, this is definitely the place for you.
Los Cangilones de Gualaca
Considered one of the best natural swimming bath in Chiriqui, Los Cangilones de Gualaca is well visited for its beautiful scenery and of course its refreshing waters. The location is a natural swimming pool, a rock formation that was created by the river Esti in the form of a narrow channel and a large natural pool.
Los Cangilones de Gualaca is nestled in a forested area a bit off the grid, but once there, you'll find that nothing is better than jumping from the rock into the river and drift along the rocky canyon to the pool at the end. If you feel cold after swimming, you can lie down on the hot rock and receive its heat.
Except bathrooms, the natural swimming pool does not have tourist facilities. But the village is close by and you can find everything you need. There are numerous places where you can get some food or bring drinks and snacks with you if you are accidentally lazy to walk to town.
Los Cangilones de Gualaca gets its name from the rock formation in vessel form or pot created thousands of years by the Esti River. If you are staying anywhere in Chiriqui and love swimming, Los Cangilones de Gualaca should definitely be on your list.
David
David, the capital of Chiriqui province, is the center of dynamic outdoor activities. From bicycling and hiking, to bird-watching and deep-sea fishing, David has it all. It is not your typical capital as there are no skyscrapers and easy access via the Pan-American Highway, David is a very manageable city in the midst of Panama's "bread-basket" agricultural region. The temperature here is pretty pleasant, with 80F in the high and 90s F in the low. David is known as the country's warmest city during the dry summertime season. In David, you can visit Parque Cervantes and the Catedral de San Jose.
Pretty much everything you do in Chiriqui province runs through or is connected to David, so if you are planning a trip, you will need to pass through it. Once you are in David, you are only 40 minutes from the cool highland rainforest, where you can start the exploration from the canopy or trek to the top of a volcano. Or 30 minutes in the opposite direction to the sunny Pacific shoreline for beach-combing or kayaking.
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Living in Chiriqui
Did you like Chiriqui? There are some gorgeous homes in Chiriqui, many with a Spanish contemporary style that fit perfectly into the mountain landscape. You can also find properties of different sizes with ocean and mountainous view for sale. The neighborhood vibe in Chiriqui is very social and friendly. There is a large community of expats from Canada, North America, and Europe that love to get together, socialize, party, and attend social events at restaurants, cafes, and homes. The local community is tranquil, friendly, and open-minded about their international neighbors. Chiriqui's health climate has prompted many to believe that it is the secret to longevity as many natives have lived well on past their 100th birthdays. Here you will feel happy with a great sense of community, perfect weather, and lots of outdoor activities, great real estate offers, and much more.
Interested in knowing more? Don't hesitate to contact us.
- Las Lajas
Situated on the southern side of the Chiriqui province, Las Lajas is a well-known beach area for people all over Western Panama. Its empty beach is in the Pacific side so waves can be a bit bigger and water a bit colder. However, Las Lajas is still a great tropical beach escape for residents of the highlands and of David. The town is becoming more and more popular as the visitors explore its affordability and convenience and it can be easily accessed from David by car, taxi, or bus. Las Lajas is not crowded so if you are searching for a tranquil and quiet beach enjoyment, this is definitely the place for you.
- Los Cangilones de Gualaca
Considered one of the best natural swimming bath in Chiriqui, Los Cangilones de Gualaca is well visited for its beautiful scenery and of course its refreshing waters. The location is a natural swimming pool, a rock formation that was created by the river Esti in the form of a narrow channel and a large natural pool.
Los Cangilones de Gualaca is nestled in a forested area a bit off the grid, but once there, you'll find that nothing is better than jumping from the rock into the river and drift along the rocky canyon to the pool at the end. If you feel cold after swimming, you can lie down on the hot rock and receive its heat.
Except bathrooms, the natural swimming pool does not have tourist facilities. But the village is close by and you can find everything you need. There are numerous places where you can get some food or bring drinks and snacks with you if you are accidentally lazy to walk to town.
Los Cangilones de Gualaca gets its name from the rock formation in vessel form or pot created thousands of years by the Esti River. If you are staying anywhere in Chiriqui and love swimming, Los Cangilones de Gualaca should definitely be on your list.
- David
David, the capital of Chiriqui province, is the center of dynamic outdoor activities. From bicycling and hiking, to bird-watching and deep-sea fishing, David has it all. It is not your typical capital as there are no skyscrapers and easy access via the Pan-American Highway, David is a very manageable city in the midst of Panama's "bread-basket" agricultural region. The temperature here is pretty pleasant, with 80F in the high and 90s F in the low. David is known as the country's warmest city during the dry summertime season. In David, you can visit Parque Cervantes and the Catedral de San Jose.
Pretty much everything you do in Chiriqui province runs through or is connected to David, so if you are planning a trip, you will need to pass through it. Once you are in David, you are only 40 minutes from the cool highland rainforest, where you can start the exploration from the canopy or trek to the top of a volcano. Or 30 minutes in the opposite direction to the sunny Pacific shoreline for beach-combing or kayaking.
