The most beautiful natural sites to discover Boquete

This trail, within the National Park Volcan Barú, is one of the most beautiful hikes of the region. It is 5.7 km long and has a difference in altitude of 686 m. It follows the northern flank of the volcano and connects Bajo Mono to the north of Boquete and Bajo Grande to the east of Cerro Punta. It can be done in both directions, downhill from Cerro Punta (4-5 hours walk), or uphill from Boquete (6-7 hours). The round trip takes 10 to 12 hours, it is advised to leave at daybreak, around 5-6 am. For practical reasons, many hikers only cover half of the trail (4-6 hours round trip). It is also possible to camp, with your own equipment, in the middle of the trail on a prepared area.

Cloud forests, bamboo, pastures, crystal clear rivers: the crossing is magnificent, but be aware that there is no guarantee to see quetzals! The services of a guide will help you find them and you will learn much more about the fauna and flora of the park. Good hikers on a tight budget can do without a guide, as the trail is marked.

Attention: always check the condition of the trail before any excursion. During the rainy season and especially from October to December, the trail is usually very muddy. It is frequent that rehabilitation works take place at different times of the year, depending on the weather conditions, forcing to close the trail temporarily.

Access from Boquete (uphill, from east to west). Take the road to Bajo Mono, by cab or bus (from the central park of Boquete). The national park station is in Alto Chiquero, but the trail starts 2.2 km from there, and is accessed by a gravel road. The trail climbs all the way to the El Respingo station. To reach Bajo Grande, take the trail that goes down for 3 km to the road-trail leading to Cerro Punta (walk or arrange to be picked up here with a cab).

Access from Cerro Punta (downhill, from west to east). Take the road-trail toBajo Grande (past the B&B Las Orquídeas) until you see a sign describing the trail. You can get there by cab (6 US$ from Cerro Punta or Guadalupe). The rest of the way is on foot, in 45 min-1 hour (3 km), or by 4x4 cab (about 25 US$ from Cerro Punta). The beginning of the trail is in El Respingo. The first part to the mirador is the most interesting. It takes about 5 hours to reach the Alto Chiquero station. There are still 6 km to reach the center of Boquete (possibility of catching a bus or a cab on the road).

This trail of the park of the Amistad does not present difficulties. It goes up towards Bocas on the cordillera. You will cross first the pastures, then the primary and secondary forest to reach the summit with view on the Pacific and the Caribbean. Most hikers turn back at this point (about 5 hours round trip) but you can continue to the sea. In this case, go with a guide (4-5 days one way). You will find lodging in indigenous villages along the way, which adds a cultural dimension to this hike.

There are two options on this trail. A rather difficult one-day round trip, or the 4-5 day one-way trek that will take you to Bocas. Unlike the sendero del Pianista, the trail does not pass through indigenous villages and therefore you will not have the possibility to ask for accommodation. You will have to bring all the necessary equipment, tent, water and food. The accompaniment of a guide is indispensable because you will cross wild zones without signs

Three magnificent waterfalls, to see according to the time you have and the weather, but preferably in rainy season to enjoy the show even more. It takes about 3 hours on a steep and often muddy path, but well marked. A guide is not necessary, unless you want to learn more about the local fauna and flora. You can get there by bus from Boquete (direction Bajo Mono or Alto Quiel), or by cab (12 US$). The trail is about 15 minutes walk from where the bus or cab leaves you.

This family trail of about 2 hours round trip is the easiest of the region because the difference in altitude is not important and the hike starts at the edge of the road before entering the forest. It is announced a pretty waterfall at the end but that will depend on the season, because it seems to disappear during the Panamanian heat. Nevertheless, the stroll is pleasant and magnificent centenary trees mark the end of the circuit. You will of course observe many birds. It is not necessary to be accompanied by a guide.

This is a day of authentic agrotourism proposed by Rolando Chamorra (Rolo), the charismatic owner of the Hacienda. This great dreamer takes us to his lands located between 1700 and 1800 m of altitude. We start with a hike through the rainforest to La Zumbona, a river with multiple waterfalls, to meet hundreds of plants and trees, birds including the quetzal, and the capuchin monkey Sapajou. The meal is prepared with the products of the farm that we will visit afterwards, with a complete tour on the coffee produced here.

The well-developed trail was inaugurated in April 2018. It is accessible by reservation, from the Hacienda Los Molinos. One descends 120 meters to the bottom of a canyon with lush tropical vegetation, to the Cochea River, where spectacular waterfalls fall. The water is cool and invigorating. The hike is quite easy (45 minutes downhill) but demanding for the ascent (around 1 hour, 1h30 depending on your physical condition).