MORE THAN TEN FACTS YOU DIDN`T KNOW ABOUT BOQUETE, PANAMA
Boquete is listed as one of the top 10 destinations to retire in the world. Every single travelling magazine that I laid my hands on had only praises for this location. I agreed with most of them, though there are some things, less known, that one should take in consideration prior to selling everything and moving to Boquete. My advice, do a due diligence trip before you take any major decision.
Located less than 45 minutes from the Costa Rican border Passo Canoas, and 20 minutes away from David, Boquete is tucked in the highlands of the Chiriqui province. It has a population of 25000 habitants spread all over the mountains. Close to 5000 of these are expats. The city itself is nested at the base of the Volcano Baru which is the 10th highest point in Central America and the highest in Panama.
MICRO-CLIMATES.
There are different micro-climates in Boquete, Alto Boquete and surrounding areas. You can have a sunny day in Alto Boquete, while in Bajo Boquete it could be raining. That should not come as a surprise because Boquete is bordeline with the rain forest. Note that during the windy season, the wind can be downright fierce.
BAJAREQUE
Bajareque is a strange phenomenon experienced during the dry season where the Northern strong winds bring a fine mist which can last sometimes for days. Don't let this light rain prevent you from spending time outdoors. Look on the positive sight of it: the bajareque is followed by some incredible rainbows, as the the sky clears up towards the afternoon.
SHARED TAXI RIDE
This practice may seem unusual to you, but rest assured that it is norm within Panama. Thus, when you flag down a taxi, don't be surprise when you see that it has already passengers, but he stops to pick you up. The drivers are courteous and they could charge up to $1 per person.
FIXED PRICE FOR TRANSPORTATION
There are vans or mini buses connecting Boquete to the surrounding areas. You can expect to pay $0.60 from Bajo Boquete to Alto Boquete. There is no fixed schedule or predetermined stops; usually the driver leaves when the van is full and pulls over where the passengers need to get off.
SPOKEN LANGUAGES
While strolling down the streets of this charming little mountain city, you can hear English being spoken quite often, as there is an increasing number of retired expats from different corners of the world. You may also hear German, French, or Italian.
ACCOMMODATION
You have a far more higher chance of finding yourself a rental house or apartment just by having a walk on the streets or asking the people. You may also check the adds on the boards at the local supermarket Romero and at Sugar and Spice. Whatever is advertised on Craigslist is catering for foreigners and has a higher price. Ask the hostals or hosterias (B&B) owners if they know anyone who has a place to rent.
FRIENDLY LOCALS
People are very friendly, everyone smiles at you on the street and greets you. Generally Panamanians are very foreigners tolerant and patient with your struggle in Spanish language.
SWISS TOWN IN THE TROPICS
The small town resembles to a Swiss green village, with the only difference that it is located at the tropics, and its architecture has a nice mix of North American, European and local influences. When you stroll into the valley, you may encounter people from all over the world.
AMAZING GARDENS and NUTRIENTS RICH SOIL
Those of you planning to relocate here, you will discover that gardening is more challenging than back home. Only in Bajo Boquete and Volcan (which is on the other side of the volcano) the soil is fertile and rich in nutrients. Its dark black colour is due to the volcanic ash and it is a sign of its richness in nutrients.
MONTHLY FIESTAS
Panamanians love to party. They love to do it until early hours of the morning. If you choose to stay in Bajo Boquete, you better be prepared to party or hear loud music the whole night. If that is not on your taste, ensure you find accommodation higher up on the mountains, or in Alto Boquete.
PARTY ON WHEELS
Usually the engine of the party is a vehicle with huge speakers, moving throughout the city. That would explain why the music comes on waves to you. The Panamanians seem to be very fond of the portable megaphone speakers they use and abuse it during the national holidays.
THE SIRENS
Each day at 12:00PM and 9:00 PM there is an alarm, a siren going on which can be heard throughout the whole city. This custom was kept from the previous regime. It was turned on at noon to let the workers from the fields know that it was time to go home for lunch. During the dictatorship regime, at night, it was used to inform them of the curfew, when you couldn't be outside past that hour, without having a good reason.
COFFEE AND FLOWER FESTIVAL
The Flowers and Coffee festival held in January brings down thousands of tourists which is great. The festival grounds are beautifully manicured, but the city is not yet prepared to host such crowds adequately. The traffic is not closed and thus it becomes a hassle and a hazard to navigate through a sea of people and cars on the way to the festival’s gates.
During the entire length of the festival, which is ten days, there is a fiesta going on in the Central Park, which lasts until close to sunrise.
BOQUETE JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL
The Boquete Jazz Festival is held in Valle Escondido, an upscale residential resort located in Bajo Boquete. It is not a free event, but it is worthy the price. It features South American artists and it is well organized.
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FEELING UNINSPIRED? VISIT A WELSH RETREAT: GLADSTONE’S RESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
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VISIT TO SAINT-JOSEPH’S ORATORY IN MONTREAL, CANADA
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I love that part of Panama and it has been years since I have been there, but, loved the people and loved the country. The only thing it lacked at the time, other than military medicine was truly good medical care, but, that has changed, so I hear.
I appreciate all the amazing things you have pointed out. Some I knew, most I didn't and I think it is a great place to start a search, if that is the way you intend to approach retirement!
!tip
They are far away from having medical care. Although they lacked the system, I was impressed with their doctors. 90% from those that I have met had studied in US or Colombia and had heir Mds and Phds done at reputable hospitals in the US.
Looks very beautiful there!!
I am glad you liked it. Thank you for the read and comment!
I’m sure I wouldn’t like those fierce winds and rains but I would definitely love seeing a rainbow more often. I like that they have fixed prices on the transportation. The festival looks like a lot of fun, my kids would love seeing something like that. Even though I have a fear of buzzing things, I would love taking pictures of all those flowers at the flower festival. Thanks for sharing these highlights!!! 😊
Some of the locals refer to this place as the city of the hundred rainbows. They say that while living there, you get to see over hundred rainbows per year. I did not count each one of them, but I have seen plenty of them. At one point I did not even paid attention to it, as it became norm. lol
Wow I can’t even imagine seeing that many rainbows. Lol kind of reminds me of people living in Colorado and how they say seeing the mountains is the norm :)
Gotta love Boquete. ;) We thought when we moved here that we would live in Boquete, but my husband picked Volcan and we're happy with that decision! The rainbows sure are nice. Yes, there are tons of expats there (and quite a few here). We don't play "spot the gringo" when we go into Boquete, like we do around here. ;)
I do love Boquete a lot and miss the friends that I left there! You are right, can't play that game in Boquete. lol I liked Volcan, it wasn't as dense and crowded as Boquete.
Yes, Volcan is definitely not as crowded. There is a nice group of gringos here, which we like. Enough to keep Panamanians from staring at us. ;) Well, mostly. Ha. There is way less to do and way fewer restaurants to eat at here, but we mostly stick close to home so it works out. :)
I love reading facts by other cultures! Thanks
Thanks for stopping by!
You made me want to go and visit it :) It sounds lovely and those shared taxi rides seem interesting.
Sharing a taxi ride is a common practice in Central America. First time I saw that I was in Ecuador and I did not understand why the taxi was asking me to hop in while he was already having a client. Obviously I didn't, thinking that they were trying to kidnap me. Later on that day while I was talking with an Ecuadorian friend, he told me it was a common practice. Different countries, different customs. ;0)
I knew nothing about this area but after reading this post I now know a lot more and sound slike a place I would love to visit
Tip!
It might be a good option for when you'll retire, if you want to escape the snow. ;0)
Indeed it would but I think we will stay close to family and the grandkids especially
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