7 Days • 6 Nights
Boquete & the Chiriqui Highlands: Coffee, Cloud Forest & Volcan Baru
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- World-class coffee farms and the prized Geisha bean are a delicious highlight of this journey. The volcanic slopes around Boquete, with their rich soil, altitude and misty climate, produce some of the finest coffee on earth, including the celebrated Geisha variety that fetches record prices at auction. You tour a working coffee farm, walking among the glossy coffee bushes and learning how the cherries are grown, hand-picked, washed, dried and roasted with extraordinary care. You watch the process from bean to cup, and enjoy a tasting of world-class Panamanian coffee at its source, understanding what makes it so exceptional. The aroma, craft and flavour are a delight.
- Cloud forest alive with hummingbirds and the resplendent quetzal is a magical highlight of this journey. The misty cloud forests cloaking the slopes of Volcan Baru are among the best places on earth to see the resplendent quetzal, one of the most beautiful birds in the world, its emerald plumage and trailing tail feathers shimmering in the mountain light. You walk quiet forest trails, perhaps a stretch of the famous Quetzal Trail or a private reserve, with an expert guide, watching for quetzals feeding on wild avocados, and marvelling at jewel-like hummingbirds, colourful tanagers and countless other birds amid the mossy, orchid-hung forest.
- Hiking Volcan Baru and the mountain trails is an exhilarating highlight of this journey. Volcan Baru, at 3,475 metres Panama's highest peak, dominates the Chiriqui highlands, and its slopes offer superb hiking amid spectacular scenery. The most adventurous can attempt the challenging pre-dawn summit hike, from where, on a clear morning, you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean oceans at once, a rare and thrilling sight. Others enjoy the beautiful Lost Waterfalls trail through cloud forest to a series of tumbling falls, the Pipeline Trail in search of quetzals, or gentler walks among coffee farms and flower gardens. The scenery, forest and fresh air are exhilarating.
- Thrilling adventure, from ziplining to river rafting, is an exhilarating highlight of this journey. The Chiriqui highlands are one of Panama's great adventure playgrounds, and there is plenty to get the pulse racing. You can soar on a rainforest zipline canopy tour, flying between platforms high above the treetops with sweeping mountain views, raft or tube the rushing Chiriqui rivers through beautiful gorges, or take a thrilling 4x4 or horseback ride through the mountains. Gentler adventures include waterfall hikes and hanging-bridge canopy walks. Whatever your appetite, the fresh mountain air and spectacular scenery make it exhilarating.
- Volcanic hot springs, waterfalls and the beauty of Boquete are a restorative highlight of this journey. After the coffee, cloud forest and adventure, the highlands offer blissful natural rewards. You soak in natural volcanic hot springs, letting the warm, mineral-rich water ease your muscles amid the forest and rivers, a pure mountain pleasure. You visit beautiful waterfalls tumbling through the greenery, wander the flower-filled gardens for which Boquete is famous (its Flower and Coffee Fair is legendary), and take in sweeping views of Volcan Baru, the coffee slopes and the rushing Caldera River. The warmth, beauty and calm are restorative.
- Above all, this journey immerses you in the cool green beauty and adventure of the Panamanian highlands. The Chiriqui highlands around Boquete are among the most beautiful and rewarding places in Panama, and this journey immerses you in them. Over seven days you tour world-class coffee farms, walk in cloud forest alive with the quetzal, hike Volcan Baru and the waterfall trails, soar on ziplines, raft the rivers and soak in hot springs, all warmed by Panama's friendly welcome. The combination of world-class coffee, magical cloud forest and birdlife, spectacular hiking, thrilling adventure and restorative hot springs makes the highlands utterly captivating.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Your highland journey begins as your flight arrives at Panama City's Tocumen International Airport, where you are met and transferred to your hotel in the cosmopolitan capital. Panama City is one of the most dynamic cities in the Americas, a forest of gleaming skyscrapers rising above the Pacific beside the great canal, and its energy and warmth are immediately appealing. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, perhaps taking a first stroll along the seafront causeway with its dramatic skyline views and a glimpse of the canal, or relaxing at your hotel. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the delicious flavours of Panamanian cuisine and to the mountain journey ahead in the Chiriqui highlands. As you settle in, the energy and warmth of Panama work their magic. Rest well, for tomorrow you fly to the cool green highlands of Boquete.
Today you journey to the cool green highlands of Boquete in Chiriqui province. You transfer to the airport for a short, scenic domestic flight west to David, then drive up into the mountains to the little town of Boquete, set amid misty peaks, flower gardens, rushing rivers and coffee country beneath Volcan Baru, Panama's highest peak. The fresh mountain air, greenery and beauty are a wonderful contrast to the tropical lowlands. You settle into your highland lodge and, in the afternoon, stroll the charming town, take in the flower-filled gardens and the rushing Caldera River, and get your bearings amid the coffee slopes and cloud-wrapped peaks. As the day ends, you savour the peace and beauty of the mountains and the invigorating cool climate. This evening, enjoy fine local cuisine and world-class Panamanian coffee. Rest well amid the misty mountains, for tomorrow you tour a coffee farm and walk in cloud forest.
Today you savour the coffee and cloud forest of Boquete. In the morning you tour a working coffee farm, walking among the glossy coffee bushes and learning how Panama's prized beans, including the celebrated Geisha variety, are grown, hand-picked, washed, dried and roasted with extraordinary care, and enjoy a tasting of world-class coffee at its source over a farm lunch. In the afternoon you walk in emerald cloud forest with an expert guide, perhaps a stretch of the famous Quetzal Trail or a private reserve, watching for jewel-like hummingbirds, colourful tanagers and the magnificent resplendent quetzal amid the mossy, orchid-hung trees. The aroma, craft and birdlife are wonderful. As the day ends, you return to your lodge. This evening, savour highland cuisine and coffee. Rest well amid the mountains, for tomorrow you take on Volcan Baru and the waterfall trails.
Today you take on the mountain and its beautiful trails. Depending on your appetite for adventure, you might set off before dawn to hike the challenging slopes of Volcan Baru, Panama's highest peak, or, more gently, explore the beautiful Lost Waterfalls trail, walking through misty cloud forest to a series of tumbling falls where you can cool off in the spray and pools. You take in sweeping views over the coffee slopes, the highlands and, on clear days, far towards the oceans, immersed in the fresh air, forest and birdsong. The scenery, forest and sense of achievement are exhilarating. As the day ends, you return to your lodge, perhaps soaking tired muscles. This evening, savour highland cuisine and a well-earned rest. Rest well amid the mountains, for tomorrow you enjoy hot springs and thrilling adventure.
Today you enjoy the natural rewards and adventures of the highlands. You soak in natural volcanic hot springs near Caldera, letting the warm, mineral-rich water ease your muscles amid the forest and rivers, a blissful mountain pleasure. For the adventurous, there is the chance to soar on a rainforest zipline canopy tour high above the treetops, or to raft or tube the rushing Chiriqui rivers through beautiful gorges. Gentler options include waterfall walks, hanging-bridge canopy trails, horseback riding through the mountains, or simply savouring the flower gardens and coffee-slope views of Boquete. The warmth, beauty and thrills are wonderful. As the day ends, you return to your lodge. This evening, savour a final highland dinner and coffee, reflecting on the mountains. Rest well amid the peaks, for tomorrow you return towards Panama City.
This morning you savour a final breakfast and mountain view in Boquete, perhaps a last stroll among the coffee slopes and flower gardens or a final cup of world-class coffee, before driving down to David for a short, scenic domestic flight back to Panama City. The flight brings you back to the cosmopolitan capital by afternoon. You settle into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening, perhaps a stroll in colonial Casco Viejo, some souvenir shopping for Panamanian coffee or a Panama hat, or a cocktail on a rooftop terrace overlooking the glittering skyline, reflecting on the beautiful highlands you have explored. As the day ends, you savour the contrast of the vibrant city after the cool green mountains. This evening, enjoy a fine farewell dinner in the capital. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow, carrying warm memories of the Chiriqui highlands.
After a final morning in cosmopolitan Panama City, perhaps a last stroll along the causeway or some souvenir shopping for highland coffee, you are transferred to Tocumen International Airport for your onward international departure. You leave having immersed yourself in the cool green beauty and adventure of the Chiriqui highlands, the world-class coffee farms and prized Geisha bean, the misty cloud forest alive with hummingbirds and the resplendent quetzal, the slopes and waterfalls of Volcan Baru, the ziplines and rushing rivers, and the restorative volcanic hot springs. The images stay vivid long after you land, the misty coffee slopes, the shimmering quetzal in the cloud forest, the tumbling waterfalls, the zipline above the canopy, and the warm hot springs amid the forest. Panama's highlands offer natural beauty, world-class coffee, birdlife and thrilling adventure in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to the beautiful mountains of Chiriqui.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 6 nights accommodation, a welcome dinner and a coffee-farm lunch
- Daily breakfast
- Airport and land transfers in air-conditioned private vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert licensed local guides
- Entrance fees to sites, locks and reserves as per itinerary
- private touring with an expert local guide, domestic flights to the Chiriqui highlands, a Panama Canal viewpoint visit, a coffee farm tour and tasting, guided cloud forest and quetzal birding walks, a Volcan Baru or Lost Waterfalls hike, a hot springs visit, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some lunches and dinners not specified
- Optional ziplining, rafting and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities (including citizens of the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia and many others) do not need a visa for tourism and may stay for up to 90 to 180 days; a passport valid for at least three to six months with onward or return travel is required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality before you travel
- Currency: Panama uses the US dollar as its everyday currency, officially alongside the Panamanian balboa, which is pegged one-to-one to the dollar and circulates as coins; bring US dollars in small denominations. Cards are widely accepted in Panama City hotels, restaurants and shops, but the San Blas (Guna Yala) islands, small villages and rural areas are cash only, so carry enough cash there. ATMs are common in towns and cities
- Best time to visit: The dry season from mid-December to April brings warm, sunny days ideal for the canal, Panama City, the Caribbean islands, the beaches and the highlands; the green season from May to November brings warm, wet afternoons, lush rainforests, fuller rivers and fewer crowds, and is also excellent, with mornings often bright and clear and whale watching in the Pearl Islands at its best from July to October
- Language & etiquette: Spanish is the official language, and English is widely spoken in Panama City, the canal area and tourism, so travel is easy and rewarding; Panamanians are warm, friendly and relaxed. Panama is richly multicultural, and when visiting the indigenous Guna of San Blas or the Embera of the rainforest, we follow their customs, ask before photographing people, and support their communities respectfully
- Getting around: Touring is by private air-conditioned vehicle with your own guide and driver, with short internal flights (to Bocas del Toro and the Chiriqui highlands) and scenic road and boat transfers between regions; the San Blas islands are reached by 4x4 and boat, and Bocas del Toro is an archipelago explored by water taxi. Roads are generally good, and we build in comfortable timings and the best routes
- Health & safety: Panama is one of the safest and most stable countries in Central America, and travel here is smooth and rewarding; we monitor conditions and follow official advice. Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City and most of the country; use insect repellent in the rainforest and islands, protect against the strong tropical sun, and consider routine travel vaccinations and advice from your doctor before you travel
- Culture & history: Panama sits at the crossroads of the Americas, and its culture blends indigenous (Guna and Embera), Afro-Caribbean (the Congo heritage of Portobelo), Spanish colonial and cosmopolitan canal-era influences. From the colonial old town of Casco Viejo and the ruins of Panama Viejo to the great engineering of the canal, understanding this rich history and diversity deepens any journey through the isthmus
- Power & practicalities: Power is 120V, with US-style type A and B flat-pin plugs, so bring an adapter if needed. Tipping is appreciated for good service, and small tips for guides and drivers are customary. Bring light, breathable clothing, a hat, sun cream, insect repellent, swimwear, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, and a warmer layer for the cool highlands and cloud forest of Boquete
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I see the resplendent quetzal in Boquete?
The cloud forests around Boquete and Volcan Baru are among the best places in the world to see the resplendent quetzal, especially from around February to July during the nesting season, when the males display their spectacular emerald plumage and long tail feathers. With an expert local birding guide, quiet early-morning walks on trails like the Quetzal Trail and the right feeding trees, sightings are common in season. Nothing in nature is guaranteed, but your chances are excellent, and the cloud forest teems with hummingbirds and other birds regardless.
How fit do I need to be for the highland activities?
The journey can be tailored to any level of fitness and adventure. The coffee tours, gentle cloud forest birding walks, hot springs and flower gardens suit everyone, while the Lost Waterfalls trail is a moderate hike and the pre-dawn Volcan Baru summit is a serious challenge for fit, experienced hikers only. Ziplining and river rafting are exhilarating but accessible to most. We discuss your interests and fitness and design each day accordingly, so you get the right balance of nature, relaxation and adventure.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (typically a welcome dinner and selected lunches or dinners at special locations, such as fresh seafood on the San Blas islands or a meal with an Embera community). Panamanian cuisine is varied and delicious, from sancocho (a hearty chicken and root-vegetable soup) and ceviche to fresh Caribbean seafood, patacones (fried plantains), tropical fruit and superb highland coffee, and we usually leave other meals free so you can explore, recommending the best local restaurants at every stage of your journey.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert licensed local guide and air-conditioned vehicle, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group options can be arranged if you prefer. Panama's knowledgeable guides bring the canal, the colonial old town, the rainforests, the islands and the diverse cultures of the isthmus vividly to life, greatly enriching every visit, and a private guide is invaluable for weaving together the country's many highlights.
Do I need a visa for Panama?
Most nationalities, including citizens of the UK, EU, US, Canada and Australia, do not need a visa for tourism and may stay for up to 90 to 180 days. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality and advise on the simple entry process, so arrival is smooth. A passport valid for at least three to six months with proof of onward or return travel is required.
Is Panama safe to visit?
Panama is one of the safest and most stable countries in Central America, with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, and travel here is smooth and rewarding. We continuously monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official guidance at all times. As anywhere, we advise normal sensible precautions with valuables in busy city areas, and the genuine warmth and relaxed spirit of the Panamanian people are among the great joys of a visit.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season from mid-December to April brings warm, sunny days ideal for the canal, Panama City, the Caribbean islands, the beaches and the highlands. The green season from May to November brings warm, wet afternoons, lush rainforests and fewer crowds, with excellent whale watching in the Pearl Islands from July to October. We advise on the best timing for your interests and the regions you wish to see, and tailor the pace to the season.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Panama City and the canal, the San Blas islands, Bocas del Toro, the Boquete highlands, the Pearl Islands, Portobelo and the rainforests, add whale watching, coffee tours or an Embera village visit, upgrade to luxury boutique hotels and island lodges, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through the landscapes and cultures of Panama.
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