Boquete, Panama
I need to keep you guys up to date with my travels because you told me to do so.
Kelli and I currently live in Boquete, Panama for 2 weeks.
We spent 1 week in Volcan, Panama before schlepping over to Boquete, on the other side of Volcan Baru.
After Boquete we will spend another month in Volcan.
Now that your mental dizziness has subsided, let me share a few facts about Boquete.
Expat Haven
Expats flock from all over the world to Boquete for its pleasant climate, low cost of living and stunning natural surroundings.
Boquete sits within an elevated bowl, in essence. Being elevated makes for cool temperatures year round. But depending on where you live in town, you may be looking up at surrounding hills for jaw-dropping scenery.
American gringos are a dime a dozen here but expats from Europe, Australia and other spots migrate to Boquete on the regular to enjoy its peaceful way of life.
For the uninitiated, Panama in general magnetizes itself to many folks from the United States. The US maintained a big presence here before “handing over” the Panama Canal. US-standard highways, US-standard home builds and stricter policing and exercising of laws make some gringos from the United States feel far more at home here compared to neighboring Central American countries.
For example, we heard from a few expats in Costa Rica that their fairly busy road had not been repaired for 20 years. Patch work for decades. But the moment we passed the border into Panama the narrow country road transformed into a double wide lane, US style, freshly paved highway.
Some expats prefer scooting around with confidence on these types of roads versus the more neglected roads typical in countries dotting this region.
Indigenous Stronghold
Walking around town for even a few moments reveals a large indigenous population.
Short, squat men and women with a deeper complexion seem most populous in Boquete and the surrounding areas.
Seeing a large indigenous population differs from other regions in Panama as locals there tend to be lighter skinned, taller and pretty much influenced by having Spanish blood.
Colorful dresses abound; the women and young ladies wear impossibly bright garments guaranteed to arrest your attention span. Husbands and wives usually have a few wee ones in tow.
I feel like Kristaps Porzingis in Boquete. Being about 6 feet tall means that I tower above most locals.
Spring Like Climate
Temperatures rarely exceed 75 F in this mountain town.
Imagine a Spring like climate for the entire year.
Expats fed up with brutal winters, gloomy cloudiness and severe heat hustle to Boquete in part for its fabulous weather.
Temperatures drop into the 60’s at night.
On the flip side, low season rains grace this region for much of the year even though dry mornings offer you windows for enjoying outside activities.
We do our chores, exercise and walk the dog early. Sunrise means a dog walk with some cardio. Chores tend to be completed by 10 AM on most days.
Torrential rains arrive between 1 PM and 3 PM on most days. Rainfall varies in intensity and duration. Sometimes it rains until night time. Other times it rains for an hour before ceasing.
High season here makes for sunny, clear and sometimes windy, dusty conditions.
World Class Coffee
Boquete coffee sells for up to $2500 per pound.
Re-read that above sentence. No typo’s, folks.
Geisha coffee grows here. Among the most coveted on earth, the coffee with hints of tea flavor is routinely judged to be about the finest in the world.
But Panamanian coffee in general is fabulous. Take it from a guy who’s enjoyed local coffee from all over the globe for the past 13 years.
Fincas, or farms, dot the surrounding mountains. Look for the green to red beans and glossy green leaves to spot coffee plants in the region. You will see these everywhere, lined up in tidy rows.
Birding Hot Spot
Boquete is one of the few spots where birders enjoy the incredibly exotic resplendent quetzal.
Imagine if Elton John, Boy George and Liberace had a love child and dressed it up to exceed their flamboyance.
That is what this bird looks like.
Spotting one is like experiencing the Super Bowl of Birding.
However, many exotic species frequent the deep forests around town, from toucans, hummingbirds and the cherished three-wattled bell bird.
Note; Howler monkeys call the surrounding mountains home, too, along with various species of snake, lizards and of course the gringo favorite, the tarantula.
Fascinating Architecture and Topography
I almost felt like I was in Switzerland on driving through the mountains and ravines north of Boquete.
The topography and home builds make you think that you’ve been transported to mountainous Europe.
Europeans influenced the design of some homes here. Mother Nature handled the topography.
Most envision sea, surf and hot temperatures when the word “Panama”comes to mind.
Few picture European-style homes nestled among mountains with an Alps feel to ’em, all enjoyed in temperatures rarely poking out of the 60’s in these elevated climates.
Conclusion
Keep an eye out for more Blogging From Paradise travel posts from Panama and around the world.
Bookmark the blog and give it a look-see every few weeks to follow my travels.
