15 Amazing Things to Do in Boquete, Panama (Our Favourite Experiences)
After spending nearly three months backpacking around Central America and two and a half weeks exploring Panama, Boquete ended up being one of our favourite destinations in the country!
Nestled in the mountains of Chiriquí Province near the Costa Rican border, Boquete feels completely different from places like Bocas del Toro or Panama City. Instead of beaches and tropical heat, you’ll find cool mountain air, cloud forests, waterfalls, coffee farms, and some of the best hiking in Panama.
We spent three days in Boquete during our Panama backpacking trip and honestly could have stayed longer. The combination of outdoor adventures, incredible scenery, great food, and relaxed atmosphere made it one of those places that immediately felt easy to settle into.
Whether you’re planning to tackle the Lost Waterfalls Trail, take a coffee tour, go rafting through the mountains, or simply enjoy a few slower days surrounded by nature, this guide covers all the best things to do in Boquete based on our own experience visiting.
Quick Summary: Best Things to Do in Boquete
If you’re short on time, these are the activities we’d prioritise:
- Hike the Lost Waterfalls Trail
- Visit a coffee farm
- Explore Volcán Barú National Park
- Go white-water rafting
- Take a cloud forest horseback ride
- Visit local waterfalls
- Stay at Bambuda Castle
- Try local Panamanian food
- Visit the Tuesday Market
- Relax with a craft beer at Boquete Brewing Company
Map of the Best Things to Do in Boquete
Before you start exploring, it’s worth noting that most attractions sit outside Boquete Town itself.
Why Visit Boquete?
Before visiting Panama, we’d heard countless travellers rave about Boquete. To be honest, we weren’t entirely convinced. After spending time island hopping around Bocas del Toro, we weren’t sure a small mountain town would live up to the hype.
Thankfully, we were very wrong.
Boquete offered some of our favourite experiences in Panama. The cooler climate was a welcome break from the heat we’d been dealing with throughout Central America, and the surrounding landscape felt completely different from anywhere else we’d visited.
1. Hike the Lost Waterfalls Trail
If you’re only going to do one thing in Boquete, make it the Lost Waterfalls Trail.
This was easily our favourite activity in the region and one of our favourite hikes in Panama.
The trail takes you through dense cloud forest scenery to three beautiful waterfalls hidden deep within the mountains. The route isn’t particularly long, but it can be surprisingly challenging thanks to muddy paths, steep stairs, and slippery sections.
We’d definitely recommend wearing proper footwear rather than sandals.
What makes this hike so special is the scenery along the way. Almost immediately after starting, it feels like you’ve entered a completely different world. Massive trees tower overhead, birds call from the forest canopy, and everything feels incredibly green.
The final waterfall was our favourite and well worth the effort.
2. Take a Coffee Tour
Boquete is famous worldwide for its coffee production, particularly its Geisha coffee, which regularly wins international awards. Even as people who aren’t coffee experts, we found the coffee tours fascinating.
Most tours walk you through the entire process, including:
- Growing and harvesting coffee
- Processing methods
- Roasting techniques
- Coffee tasting sessions
You’ll also learn why Geisha coffee commands such incredibly high prices.
3. Go Horseback Riding Through the Cloud Forest
One of the more unique ways to experience Boquete’s landscapes is from horseback.
The trails wind through cloud forests, mountain valleys, and scenic viewpoints that many visitors never see.
Even if you’ve never ridden before, most horseback riding tours are beginner-friendly and provide all necessary instruction.
It’s a fantastic alternative for travellers who want to enjoy nature without spending hours hiking.
4. Explore the Pipeline Trail
The Pipeline Trail is another excellent hike near Boquete. Although it doesn’t receive quite as much attention as the Lost Waterfalls Trail, it’s particularly popular amongst birdwatchers.
Boquete is one of the best places in Central America to spot exotic bird species, including the famous Resplendent Quetzal.
Even if you’re not a serious birder, the forest scenery alone makes the hike worthwhile. The trail is relatively easy and can comfortably be completed in half a day.
5. Go White-Water Rafting
For adrenaline seekers, rafting on the Chiriquí Viejo River is one of the best outdoor adventures in Boquete. The river offers exciting rapids without being overwhelmingly intimidating, making it suitable for many first-time rafters.
The scenery is spectacular throughout the journey, with lush jungle and mountain views in every direction.
This is one of the most popular adventure activities in the area for good reason.
6. Visit Volcán Barú, National Park
Volcán Barú National Park is home to Panama’s highest mountain. Standing at 3,475 metres, Volcán Barú dominates the surrounding landscape and attracts hikers from all over the world.
Many visitors attempt the overnight summit hike to watch sunrise from the top.
On exceptionally clear mornings, it’s even possible to see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from the summit.
While we didn’t tackle the climb ourselves during this trip, it’s easily one of Boquete’s most famous attractions.
7. Take a Chocolate Making Class
Coffee might be the star of Boquete, but chocolate deserves some attention too.
A chocolate-making workshop offers a fun and hands-on experience where you’ll learn how cacao is transformed into chocolate.
Of course, plenty of tasting is included.
It’s a great activity if you fancy something different from hiking and outdoor adventures.
8. Go Ziplining Above the Cloud Forest
If you’ve ever wanted to fly through a cloud forest canopy, Boquete is the place to do it.
The zipline courses here provide incredible views over the surrounding mountains and forests.
Several platforms sit high above the treetops, offering perspectives you simply can’t get from the ground.
Even if you’re slightly nervous about heights, the experience is incredibly memorable. While we didn’t do it in Boquete, we did zipline in Monteverde in Costa Rica, and it was one of the highlights of our trip!
9. Stay in a Castle
One of the most unique places we came across in Panama was Bambuda Castle.
Yes, it’s an actual castle.
Perched on a hillside overlooking Boquete, this hostel combines backpacker vibes with incredible views, a swimming pool, social atmosphere, and surprisingly comfortable accommodation.
Even if you don’t stay there, it’s worth stopping by for food or drinks.
For hostel recommendations throughout the country, check out our guide to the best hostels in Panama.
10. Visit Boquete’s Waterfalls
Beyond the Lost Waterfalls Trail, there are numerous waterfalls scattered around Boquete’s surrounding valleys.
Several can be reached independently while others require guided tours or transport.
The combination of waterfalls, mountain scenery, and cloud forest landscapes makes these trips some of the most rewarding outdoor experiences in the region.
11. Enjoy a Beer at Boquete Brewing Company
After a day of hiking, there’s no better place to unwind than Boquete Brewing Company.
The brewery serves a range of locally produced craft beers and has become a popular meeting point for both travellers and locals.
We spent one evening here and loved the relaxed atmosphere.
It’s the perfect spot to swap travel stories and recover after a busy day of exploring.
12. Try Traditional Panamanian Food
One thing that surprised us during our time in Panama was how underrated the food scene is.
Boquete has some fantastic restaurants serving everything from traditional Panamanian dishes to international cuisine.
Some local dishes worth trying include:
- Sancocho
- Tamales
- Arroz con pollo
- Patacones
- Fresh trout
For specific recommendations, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Boquete.
13. Visit Lost and Found Hostel
Lost and Found Hostel has become something of a backpacking legend in Central America.
Located deep within the cloud forest between Boquete and Bocas del Toro, it’s one of the most unique hostels we’ve ever come across.
Many travellers combine a stay here with their Boquete itinerary. You can read our review of Lost and Found Hostel to check if it meets your vibe but if you’re looking for an unforgettable hostel experience, this should absolutely be on your radar!
14. Go Rock Climbing at Los Ladrillos
Los Ladrillos is a striking volcanic rock formation located just outside Boquete.
Its dramatic cliffs have become one of the region’s most popular rock climbing destinations.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced climber, there are routes suitable for different ability levels.
The surrounding scenery is stunning too.
15. Visit the Tuesday Market
If your visit happens to fall on a Tuesday, make sure you stop by Boquete’s weekly market.
You’ll find:
- Local produce
- Artisan crafts
- Handmade gifts
- Fresh baked goods
- Food stalls
It’s a great way to support local businesses and experience a different side of Boquete.
How Many Days Do You Need in Boquete?
We spent three days in Boquete and felt it was the perfect amount of time.
This gave us enough time to complete several hikes, explore the town, enjoy local restaurants and experience the surrounding scenery.
If you’re particularly interested in hiking or outdoor activities, you could easily spend five days or more here.
FAQs
Absolutely! Boquete was one of our favourite destinations in Panama and offers some of the country’s best hiking, coffee tours, and outdoor adventures.
Boquete is famous for coffee production, cloud forests, hiking trails, waterfalls, and Volcán Barú National Park.
Most travellers arrive via bus from Panama City, David, or Bocas del Toro.
The Lost Waterfalls Trail was our personal favourite, although Volcán Barú is the most famous.
We found Boquete to be one of the safest places we visited in Panama.
The dry season between December and April generally offers the best hiking conditions.
Final Thoughts on things to do in Boquete
After spending nearly three months travelling through Central America, Boquete still stands out as one of our favourite mountain destinations.
The combination of cloud forests, waterfalls, hiking trails, coffee farms, and outdoor adventures makes it a completely different experience from the beaches and islands that many travellers associate with Panama.
Whether you’re tackling the Lost Waterfalls Trail, sipping world-class coffee, rafting through mountain rivers, or simply enjoying the cooler temperatures for a few days, there are so many incredible things to do in Boquete.
For us, it was one of the highlights of our Panama backpacking trip, and somewhere we’d happily return to in the future.
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