Boquete is the main mountainous destination in Panamá, and is considered one of the best vacation or retirement destinations. Located near the border with Costa Rica, its central attraction is the inactive Barú Volcano, which is 11,400 feet high and offers spectacular views, blessing the area with a rich volcanic soil that produces exceptional flora and fauna.

The small town of Boquete is located in a picturesque valley with a large river running at its center. Here you will find a variety of lodgings, hostels and resorts, tour operators, restaurants, a 9-hole golf course, craft shops, a spring weather, and a friendly population.

Its attractions include amazing views, rafting and kayaking on the rivers, golf, touring coffee farms for tasting, watching birds and quetzals in season, hiking in the mountains, horse riding, an exciting zip line tour on the top of the trees, and a visit to the Barú volcano, from where you could see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea at the same time.

Boquete was a well-preserved secret, but all that changed when the Association of Retired Americans chose Boquete as one of the five best places in the world to retire, a title based on its security, beauty, climate and cost of living. Fortune magazine retirement guide also named Boquete as one of the five best places in the world to retire.

It is possible to travel to Boquete by air and land. Air Panama offers daily flights from Panama City to David, Boquete’s nearest city. In David, you can rent a car or take a taxi that will take you to Boquete in 45 minutes. The journey from Panama City to Boquete lasts about seven hours by car. You can also take a bus from the Albrook Bus Terminal to David, and take a taxi to Boquete. At the same time, there is a “midnight” bus service, so you can sleep all the way and wake up in the morning in Boquete.