Boquete, Panama - City Guide for Nomads and Expats

Boquete, Panama.

The latest hot retirement destination amongst Canadian and American expats. In fact, they make up about 15% of the town’s small population. Boquete is growing fast and is one of the most affluent areas of Panama. Boquete is home to the best coffee in Panama and a hotspot for foreign retirees.

Geographically, Boquete is quite stunning, with mountains, rivers, orchards, volcanoes, and a wide assortment of wildlife on the hills surrounding it. Boquete is very close to Costa Rica and very far from Panama City. The nature and scenery make it well worth a trip!

POPULATION: 20,000

Table of Contents

WEATHER IN BOQUETE, PANAMA

A cool, mountain climate (14-19 °C). Rainy season June-October. Boquete has seem of the best weather in Panama. If you like the climate in Medellin or Manizales, Boquete should seem familiar.

MUST DO

Volcan Baru. Make sure you do it on a clear day though so you get the view. Tallest point in Panama.

Head across the border to Costa Rica. Uvita is the first decent Costa Rican town you’ll encounter.

IS BOQUETE SAFE?

Boquete is almost certainly safer than where you are currently living.

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NOMAD AND EXPAT COMMUNITY IN BOQUETE

Boquete rivals Coronado as the #1 expat and retiree destination in the country. Much like Coronado, expect to see an older crowd. Boquete is upscale by Panamanian standards. The cafes and restaurants here are very nice. The infrastructure is much better than other parts of Panama. The weather is moderate year round. If you have a wife and kids and want somewhere in Panama to live, Boquete checks a lot of the boxes.

THINGS TO DO IN BOQUETE

Visit a coffee farm and do a coffee tasting. Finca Dos Jefes and Finca Lérida are some of the popular coffee plantations.

Climb Volcan Baru. This is the most famous volcano in Panama and a very easy climb with incredible views.

RENT AN APARTMENT IN BOQUETE

Not cheap. The number of expats here has legitimately raised rent prices! It’ll be $600 minimum for renting a small house in Boquete.

BEST BARS & NIGHTLIFE IN BOQUETE

4/10

Aside from American style restaurants, there are really only two bars in Boquete: Zanzibar and La Cabana. I wouldn’t bother with either of them, but I’m obliged to recommend one. Nightlife in Boquete ain’t great. It’s a retirement destination.

I recommend: La Cabana. Because it’s your only option. You’ll be grotesquely outnumbered by dudes.

BEST CAFES IN BOQUETE FOR DIGITAL NOMADS

Cafe Ruiz: This is a place for coffee lovers.

Malu Cafe & Bakery: Delicious food, fast wifi, comfortable spot to work.

Kotowa: Well located, good coffee, wifi, outside seating. A producer of boutique coffee.

Duran Coffee Store: Good wifi and cappuccinos.

Elida Estate Coffee: Do a coffee tasting here. A visit to this estate is quite an experience.

COST OF LIVING IN BOQUETE

You’ll need a minimum of about $1200 USD per month to live reasonably comfortably in Boquete, Panama

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Perform housekeeping or other household tasks for retired expats.

HOW TO GET TO BOQUETE

Boquete is a 1 hour drive from David. Some people drive all the away from Panama City, and some people fly to David and drive or take a bus into Boquete. Bocas del Toro is a 4 hour drive away. You can also get here easily from Costa Rica. San Jose, Costa Rica is a 7 hour drive away.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Boquete is far and away the best adventure tourism destination in the entire country, so it’s worth checking out. The nature is amazing. The coffee is some of the best in the world. Also, if you go to Panama everyone will have expected you to go to Boquete, so you best not disappoint them!

OVERALL RATING: 6.5/10