2014-09-02

‎Do

← Older revision

Revision as of 16:31, 2 September 2014

Line 39:

Line 39:



*Jeep tour to the top of
'''
Volcan Baru''' [http://4x4boquetetours.com 4x4 Boquete] There are a number of companies in the Boquete area capable of providing jeep transport to the top of the local Volcano, including [http://a1privatetours.com/Home.html A1 Private Tours] who provides an action-packed 4x4 driving tour to the top of the volcano for the sunrise, for $150 per adult, $75 per child. Levels of service vary from one to the next and so does their ideals about environmental impact. It is possible to book a jeep through tour operators in town.

+

*
'''
Jeep tour to the top of Volcan Baru''' [http://4x4boquetetours.com 4x4 Boquete] There are a number of companies in the Boquete area capable of providing jeep transport to the top of the local Volcano, including
'''
[http://a1privatetours.com/Home.html A1 Private Tours]
'''
who provides an action-packed 4x4 driving tour to the top of the volcano for the sunrise, for $150 per adult, $75 per child. Levels of service vary from one to the next and so does their ideals about environmental impact. It is possible to book a jeep through tour operators in town.



* Hiking to the Top of the
'''
Volcan Baru''' - Though there are other options, but ANAM (Panama's Environmental Protection Organization) has encouraged local tour guides to recommend the more environmentally friendly method of hiking to the top of Panama's highest point. Expert Guides can be found by stopping by the offices of many tour operators in town. If you prefer to go without a guide, Hola Panama Travel, located in the Mamallena Hostel has a cheap daily shuttle (minimum 3 people) to the Volcan Baru trailhead at around 11:00 pm, so hikers can get to the top of the Volcano by the morning sunrise. The hike is around 6 hours, strenuous, one-way hike to the top up a steep dusty dirt road. Then 6 hours back down, which is challenging on the knees. The climb is very difficult because of the length and steepness of the trail. Take into consideration the dramatic change in climates as you summit and be prepared with warm clothes, food, and water. This is the only place in Panama that temperatures occasionally drop below freezing and sadly two people have died on the top due to hypothermia. A guide is not necessary for hikers in groups as it is difficult to get lost on the road to the top, however Panama has recently been enforcing guided-only hikes in National Parks for the safety and prevention of lost tourists.

+

*
'''
Hiking to the Top of the Volcan Baru''' - Though there are other options, but ANAM (Panama's Environmental Protection Organization) has encouraged local tour guides to recommend the more environmentally friendly method of hiking to the top of Panama's highest point. Expert Guides can be found by stopping by the offices of many tour operators in town. If you prefer to go without a guide, Hola Panama Travel, located in the Mamallena Hostel has a cheap daily shuttle (minimum 3 people) to the Volcan Baru trailhead at around 11:00 pm, so hikers can get to the top of the Volcano by the morning sunrise. The hike is around 6 hours, strenuous, one-way hike to the top up a steep dusty dirt road. Then 6 hours back down, which is challenging on the knees. The climb is very difficult because of the length and steepness of the trail. Take into consideration the dramatic change in climates as you summit and be prepared with warm clothes, food, and water. This is the only place in Panama that temperatures occasionally drop below freezing and sadly two people have died on the top due to hypothermia. A guide is not necessary for hikers in groups as it is difficult to get lost on the road to the top, however Panama has recently been enforcing guided-only hikes in National Parks for the safety and prevention of lost tourists.



* Hike the
'''
Quetzal Trail'''; so named because it is one of the homes of the rare Resplendent Quetzal. You can hike from Boquete to Cerro Punta (4 hours one-way gradual elevation gain), or the reverse. Most hikers will hike from Boquete to the "Mirador Las Rocas" and then return to avoid the more than 3 hour return by bus from Cerro Punta back down through David, and then back to Boquete. It is about a 4-5 hour one way hike (8 hours out and back), so it can be completed in one day. An experienced hiking guide is highly recommended as the recently repaired trail is extremely hard to follow, and often forks off into the cloud forest. Especially if you hope for any chance of spotting a Quelzal Bird, a guide is almost necessary in helping to locate a nest.

+

*
'''
Hike the Quetzal Trail'''; so named because it is one of the homes of the rare Resplendent Quetzal. You can hike from Boquete to Cerro Punta (4 hours one-way gradual elevation gain), or the reverse. Most hikers will hike from Boquete to the "Mirador Las Rocas" and then return to avoid the more than 3 hour return by bus from Cerro Punta back down through David, and then back to Boquete. It is about a 4-5 hour one way hike (8 hours out and back), so it can be completed in one day. An experienced hiking guide is highly recommended as the recently repaired trail is extremely hard to follow, and often forks off into the cloud forest. Especially if you hope for any chance of spotting a Quelzal Bird, a guide is almost necessary in helping to locate a nest.



* Visit a '''Coffee Plantation'''-- 2 to 4 hours: Boquete is known for the excellent coffee-growing conditions that make for some of the best in the world. Even if you aren't an avid coffee fan, a coffee tour is a great way to understand the culture and recent history of Boquete. [http://www.caferuiz.com/ Cafe Ruiz] or Kotowa for a larger and more industrial form of Coffee Tour. For a more intimate small-farm experience visit [http://www.boquetecoffeetour.com/ Finca Dos Jefes] which also offers an in-depth roasting and tasting, and can be booked at [http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures]. Cost for most coffee tours around town is usually $30 pp.

+

* Visit a '''Coffee Plantation'''-- 2 to 4 hours: Boquete is known for the excellent coffee-growing conditions that make for some of the best in the world. Even if you aren't an avid coffee fan, a coffee tour is a great way to understand the culture and recent history of Boquete.
'''
[http://www.caferuiz.com/ Cafe Ruiz
'''
] or
'''
Kotowa
'''
for a larger and more industrial form of Coffee Tour. For a more intimate small-farm experience visit
'''
[http://www.boquetecoffeetour.com/ Finca Dos Jefes]
'''
which also offers an in-depth roasting and tasting, and can be booked at
'''
[http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures]
'''
. Cost for most coffee tours around town is usually $30 pp.



* '''Whitewater River Rafting''' on the Chiriquí Viejo River--Whitewater rafting in Boquete is some of the best in the world, and certainly an experience not to be missed. The Chiriqui Viejo River offers a super fun day of continuous Class 3 Rapids on a jungle run with nice warm water. A few companies offer full day rafting excursions or (when the conditions are right) whitewater kayaking and inflatable kayaking for all levels on several rivers around Boquete. It's a full day trip leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon, with lunch and drinks usually included at the river. Rafting ranges from $65-$90, kayak $
65
-$100. The only verified rafting operators in Boquete include:

+

* '''Whitewater River Rafting''' on the Chiriquí Viejo River--Whitewater rafting in Boquete is some of the best in the world, and certainly an experience not to be missed. The Chiriqui Viejo River offers a super fun day of continuous Class 3 Rapids on a jungle run with nice warm water. A few companies offer full day rafting excursions or (when the conditions are right) whitewater kayaking and inflatable kayaking for all levels on several rivers around Boquete. It's a full day trip leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon, with lunch and drinks usually included at the river. Rafting ranges from $65-$90, kayak $
85
-$100. The only verified rafting operators in Boquete include:



** [http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures] - Located in Plaza Los Establos near Habla Ya and Kotowa Coffee Shop. ATP Tourism Authority Licensed.

+

**
'''
[http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures]
'''
- Located in Plaza Los Establos near Habla Ya and Kotowa Coffee Shop. ATP Tourism Authority Licensed.

** [http://www.panama-rafting.com Chiriqui River Rafting] - No office in town, must be contacted through email or phone.

** [http://www.panama-rafting.com Chiriqui River Rafting] - No office in town, must be contacted through email or phone.

** [http://boquetesafari.com Mountain Safari] - Located on Main Street next to Plaza Los Establos.

** [http://boquetesafari.com Mountain Safari] - Located on Main Street next to Plaza Los Establos.



* '''Zip Line''' through the Canopy of the '''Cloud Forest''' -- [http://www.aventurist.com/boquete/Boquete Boquete Tree Trek] offers a zip line experience in the cloud forest with 12 lines of over 5 kilometers in total. It is located on a coffee farm, with beautiful views of Boquete, as well as an adrenaline-rush like no other, soaring through the cloud forest. Office is located in the Kotowa Coffee Shop in Plaza Los Establos. Cost $65 pp., which can also be combined with a [http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures's] whitewater rafting trip for $99 pp. plus tax.

+

* '''Zip Line''' through the Canopy of the '''Cloud Forest''' --
'''
[http://www.aventurist.com/boquete/Boquete Boquete Tree Trek]
'''
offers a zip line experience in the cloud forest with 12 lines of over 5 kilometers in total. It is located on a coffee farm, with beautiful views of Boquete, as well as an adrenaline-rush like no other, soaring through the cloud forest. Office is located in the Kotowa Coffee Shop in Plaza Los Establos. Cost $65 pp., which can also be combined with a
'''
[http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures's]
'''
whitewater rafting trip for $99 pp. plus tax
for both activites
.

* '''Golf''' Take advantage of the year-round spring-like weather and golf at the two golf courses at any time of the day. Both Lucero Golf and Country Club and Quebrada Grande Golf Course are open to the public.

* '''Golf''' Take advantage of the year-round spring-like weather and golf at the two golf courses at any time of the day. Both Lucero Golf and Country Club and Quebrada Grande Golf Course are open to the public.

Line 58:

Line 58:

* '''Hot Springs Caldera''' - Hot and Bubbly mineral water right next to the Caldera River! Take a dip in both hot and cold. Taxis currently charge $30 to $36 for the round-trip journey. There are also a few inconsistent buses between Boquete and Caldera - from the bus stop in Caldera it's about an hour walk to the hot springs. After the bridge over the river, the real hot springs are to the ''left''. Tourists that book a tour with a tour operator in town are taken to the hot springs with some daily departures for fun evenings soaking in hot water and sharing stories over the sunset. The Hot Springs entrance is difficult to find to on your own and is on private property which has a $3 entrance fee. Going with a group is recommended.

* '''Hot Springs Caldera''' - Hot and Bubbly mineral water right next to the Caldera River! Take a dip in both hot and cold. Taxis currently charge $30 to $36 for the round-trip journey. There are also a few inconsistent buses between Boquete and Caldera - from the bus stop in Caldera it's about an hour walk to the hot springs. After the bridge over the river, the real hot springs are to the ''left''. Tourists that book a tour with a tour operator in town are taken to the hot springs with some daily departures for fun evenings soaking in hot water and sharing stories over the sunset. The Hot Springs entrance is difficult to find to on your own and is on private property which has a $3 entrance fee. Going with a group is recommended.



* '''Horseback Riding in The Mountains of Boquete''' -- Most horseback riding tours are located in Caldera, 20 minutes drive back down toward David from Boquete. It is best for beginners up to experienced riders, and offers a nice trail ride with beautiful views of Volcan Baru. This tour is normally $35, but can usually be combined with the Caldera Hot Springs for a $55 half-day activity. An excellent Horseback Riding tour can be booked with [http://www.boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures], [http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/horsebackridingpanama.html Boquete Mountain Safari], or a few other operators in town.

+

* '''Horseback Riding in The Mountains of Boquete''' -- Most horseback riding tours are located in Caldera, 20 minutes drive back down toward David from Boquete. It is best for beginners up to experienced riders, and offers a nice trail ride with beautiful views of Volcan Baru. This tour is normally $35, but can usually be combined with the Caldera Hot Springs for a $55 half-day activity. An excellent Horseback Riding tour can be booked with
'''
[http://www.boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures]
'''
,
'''
[http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/horsebackridingpanama.html Boquete Mountain Safari]
'''
, or a few other operators in town.

[[Image:YellowJeepCrossingRiver.JPG|thumb|Yellow Jeep Tours crossing river on the way to the Caldera Hot Springs]]

[[Image:YellowJeepCrossingRiver.JPG|thumb|Yellow Jeep Tours crossing river on the way to the Caldera Hot Springs]]



Boquete

Tour

Operators
:

+

'''BOQUETE

TOUR

OPERATORS
:
'''

*<do name="Boquete Outdoor Adventures" alt="BOA" address="Main Street, Boquete" directions="Los Establos Plaza" phone="011-507-720-2284" url="http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com/" hours="8:00am-7:30pm" price="" lat="" long="">[http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures] Whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, zipline-rafting combo tours, guided hiking, expert birding guides, full day island trips, coffee tours, multi-sport and family adventure vacations with unlimited affordable combo packages. They really do it all and it's a great idea to book all your activities with them so you can get some great combo package savings. Shuttle Service available to Bocas del Toro (Caribbean) and Boca Chica (Pacific). Located in Plaza Los Establos with Habla Ya Spanish School and the Kotowa Coffee Shop.</do>

*<do name="Boquete Outdoor Adventures" alt="BOA" address="Main Street, Boquete" directions="Los Establos Plaza" phone="011-507-720-2284" url="http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com/" hours="8:00am-7:30pm" price="" lat="" long="">[http://boqueteoutdooradventures.com Boquete Outdoor Adventures] Whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, zipline-rafting combo tours, guided hiking, expert birding guides, full day island trips, coffee tours, multi-sport and family adventure vacations with unlimited affordable combo packages. They really do it all and it's a great idea to book all your activities with them so you can get some great combo package savings. Shuttle Service available to Bocas del Toro (Caribbean) and Boca Chica (Pacific). Located in Plaza Los Establos with Habla Ya Spanish School and the Kotowa Coffee Shop.</do>

Show more