Boquete Starter Pack

Fly into David Airport (DAV) from Panama City, then 45-minute drive to Boquete

Or fly into Panama City (PTY) and take a domestic flight or bus to David

Bus from Panama City: 6-7 hours on comfortable buses to David, then local bus to Boquete

Private transfer from David: ~$25-40 USD. Many arrange pickup in advance.

Shared taxi from David: ~$3-5 per person. Vans leave when full.

Car rental: Useful for exploring the highlands. Rent in David or Panama City.

Tip: Many expats fly into David directly. It saves the long drive from Panama City.

Tourist visa: Most nationalities get 90-180 days on arrival in Panama.

Border runs: Costa Rica is just 2 hours away for visa renewals.

Pensionado Visa: Very popular in Boquete. Retiree visa with great discounts.

Friendly Nations Visa: Fast-track residency for citizens of 50+ countries.

Immigration office: Closest office is in David (45 min).

Large retiree community: Boquete is one of the world's top retirement destinations.

Many services: Lawyers and facilitators in Boquete help with residency applications.

"Eternal spring" climate: Mountain altitude means mild temperatures year-round. 60-80°F typical.

Dry season (Dec-April): Less rain, sunny mornings. Peak visitor season.

Rainy season (May-November): Afternoon rains, mornings usually clear. Lush greenery.

Bajareque: Famous misty rain unique to Boquete. Light drizzle, mystical atmosphere.

Cool nights: Can drop to 50s°F. Bring layers and a light jacket.

No AC needed: Unlike hot lowland Panama, Boquete is naturally cool.

Tip: The climate is one of Boquete's biggest draws. Escape the tropical heat!

Emergency Services

Boquete has a basic health center for minor issues.

Hospital Chiriquí (David): For serious medical care, 45 min away.

Hospital Mae Lewis (David)

Fire Department (Bomberos)

Police

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Walking: Downtown Boquete is small and walkable.

Taxis: Available in town. Fares are low. $1-3 for most in-town trips.

No Uber: Too small for ride-sharing apps.

Car rental: Useful for exploring coffee farms, hiking trails, and surrounding areas.

Local buses: Connect Boquete to David and nearby communities. Very cheap.

Biking: Some people bike, but hills can be challenging.

Many retirees: Golf carts and ATVs are popular among long-term residents.

Tip: You can manage without a car in town, but one is helpful for exploring.

Cell carriers: Movistar and Claro have coverage. +movil is growing.

Coverage is decent: Works in town, can be spotty in remote mountain areas.

Home internet: Cable & Wireless and Claro offer service in populated areas.

Starlink: Growing popular for mountain properties outside town coverage.

Cafes with WiFi: The Coffee Estate, Sugar & Spice, and others cater to remote workers.

Slower than Panama City: Internet is good but not as fast as the capital.

Tip: If reliable internet is critical, verify service before renting.

US Dollar: Panama uses USD. No exchange needed!

ATMs: Several in downtown Boquete. Banco General, BAC, Banistmo.

Cash preferred: Many small businesses and markets prefer cash.

Credit cards: Accepted at larger restaurants, hotels, and shops.

Banking: Several bank branches in town for basic services.

For complex banking: May need to go to David (45 min) or Panama City.

Cost of living: Lower than Panama City. Rent and daily expenses are reasonable.

Downtown Boquete: Walkable to shops and restaurants. Small-town center feel.

Alto Boquete: Above town. Cooler temps, mountain views. Need transportation.

Volcancito: Between Boquete and Volcán Barú. Very scenic, quiet.

Jaramillo: Popular expat area. Mix of homes and small farms.

Valle Escondido: Gated community with golf course. Popular with retirees.

Palmira: Up the mountain. Stunning views, cooler, remote.

Rental prices: Start around $500-800/month for apartments, $1000+ for nice houses.

Coffee is king: Boquete produces world-famous Geisha coffee. Visit farms and roasters!

Retrogusto: Italian restaurant beloved by expats.

The Rock: Popular restaurant with great views and varied menu.

Sugar & Spice: Bakery and cafe, great for breakfast and coffee.

Big Daddy's Grill: American-style comfort food, popular with expats.

Tuesday Market: Expat-run market with international foods and produce.

Local food: Try traditional Panamanian dishes at smaller local spots.

Groceries: Romero supermarket in town. Larger stores in David.

Tip: The coffee here is exceptional. Visit a farm for the full experience.

Volcán Barú: Highest point in Panama (11,400 ft). Hike to see both oceans on a clear day!

Quetzal Trail: Famous hike through cloud forest. Chance to see the rare Quetzal bird.

Los Cangilones: Natural swimming pools carved into rock. Popular local spot.

Pipeline Trail: Easier hike with beautiful forest and river views.

Coffee farm tours: Visit working farms and learn about Geisha coffee production.

Caldera Hot Springs: Natural hot springs about 30 minutes from Boquete.

Gardens: Several botanical gardens and flower farms to explore.

Coffee tours: Visit famous farms like Finca Lérida, Café Ruiz, or Geisha estates.

Hiking: Dozens of trails from easy walks to challenging mountain climbs.

Birdwatching: World-class birding. Over 500 species in the region!

Flower Festival: Annual flower and coffee fair (usually January). Major event!

Tuesday Market: Weekly expat market with food, crafts, and socializing.

Spa and wellness: Several spas take advantage of the natural setting.

Day trips: David (shopping), Volcán town, Cerro Punta, beaches (2 hours).

Live music: Various venues host live music, especially on weekends.

Hiking: The main activity! Trails for all fitness levels.

Golf: Valle Escondido has a golf course open to visitors.

Yoga: Classes available at various studios and retreats.

Gyms: Small gyms in town. Not as many options as bigger cities.

Running: The mountain roads are scenic but hilly. Go early for cool temps.

Rock climbing: Some opportunities in the area.

White water rafting: Day trips on the Chiriquí Viejo river.

Zip-lining: Canopy tours through the cloud forest.

Los Cangilones: Natural rock pools perfect for families.

Coffee farm tours: Many are family-friendly with educational components.

Hiking easy trails: Pipeline Trail and others are kid-friendly.

Gardens: Botanical gardens offer gentle, educational walks.

Animal encounters: Some farms offer encounters with local wildlife.

Schools: Several international and bilingual schools serve the expat community.

Safe environment: Boquete is very safe and family-friendly.

Retiree community: Large established expat community, mostly retirees. Resources and social groups abound.

Layers: Pack layers! Mornings can be cool, then warm up, then cool again at night.

Pensionado discounts: If you have the visa, you get discounts on everything from flights to restaurants.

Small town: Everyone knows everyone. Be friendly and get involved.

Drinking water: Boquete has good municipal water, but many still use filtered.

Spanish: Helpful but the large expat community means you can get by with English.

Quiet life: This is not a party town. Come for nature, coffee, and peaceful living.

Tuesday Market: The social hub of expat life. Go every week!