13 Days Exploring the Land of Coffee and Adventure

Are you a lover of nature and marine life?

Let’s start our journey by visiting La Barqueta Wildlife Refuge. This immense beach is one of the special spots that welcomes hundreds of sea turtles who come to lay their eggs during their breeding season. Depending on when you visit, you could see the adult turtles who come to lay their eggs or the hatchlings. 

Volunteer for a night patrol to protect the mothers as they lay their eggs—an adventure under the stars that you’ll never forget. See the baby turtles hatch from their nest by taking part in release days. Accompany the baby turtles on their trip toward the ocean and make sure they reach it safely.

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Take a tour in a kayak through one of the densest mangroves in Central America. Discover the Morrillo Mangrove and understand the essential role it plays in the marine life cycle and in keeping the environment clean. Learn about the native species in the mangroves, paddle through this micro forest, and feel like you’re one with nature.

What to do?

Take a tour around the Gulf of Chiriqui National Marine Park to see the immense biodiversity of Panamá’s Pacific coast. Sail in search of whales, sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays. 

Don’t skip a stop on Isla Gamez or Isla Bolanos, natural paradises with completely clear water, where you can snorkel and enjoy beautiful beaches.

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If you love bird-watching, visit the Islas Paridas to see hundreds of birds of a large number of species, or stop on Isla Coco to see an enormous colony of frigate birds. 

Ready to stretch your legs? 

From the Pacific coast, we’ll head directly to Tierras Altas, one of the highest regions in the country. The scenery changes as you drive away from the beach, and the temperature gets increasingly cooler as you get closer and closer to the cloud forests. In Tierras Altas, the most popular activity is hiking, since each trail is more incredible than the next. 

The Los Quetzales Trail winds through an extremely dense cloud forest that is home to the mythical birds it is named for. Pay attention as you hike part of the trail so you don’t miss the chance to see a quetzal in flight. It’ll be an experience you remember forever. 

If it’s adventure you’re after, and you can spend a few more days here, hike the full 10-km trail, a journey that goes from Tierras Altas to the neighboring district of Boquete. 

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Tierras Altas is known as “Panamá’s pantry” since a large amount of the food we eat comes from these mountains. From Cerro Punta, you can visit plantations and farms growing organic crops that welcome tourists who want to learn about how the most flavorful ingredients in the country are grown.

Want to surprise your taste buds?

Learn all there is to know about Panamanian coffee culture. One of the most exclusive coffees in the world is made here. The winner of international awards for exceptional quality, Geisha coffee is grown, roasted, and packaged on farms on the Coffee Circuit. Visit and explore the coffee plantations and learn about the entire process from bean to cup. 

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If you like the country lifestyle, don’t miss out on all the options available in Tierras Altas. Visit farms where you can pet the animals, pools full of trout, gardens, and fields sown with exotic plants. 

Looking for an unforgettable breakfast?

Head to Boquete and book a tour by 4x4 to the summit of Baru Volcano, the highest point in the country. Have a picnic overlooking the incredible scenery. On a clear day, it’s possible to see the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

When you descend the volcano, you can visit another coffee plantation on the Coffee Circuit to take a tour or simply to enjoy a cup of coffee with a view of the farm. Here, you’ll find many options for tasting specialty coffees and meeting baristas who are constantly searching for new flavors and aromas. In Boquete, you’ll smell coffee on every corner. You can even try ice cream made with the exclusive Geisha coffee.

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If you visit us from January to April, end the day by strolling through the area known as Feria de las Flores. You’ll see a display with a variety of local flowers and entire works of art by landscapers next to the river.

Seeking something extreme?

Boquete offers a variety of options for the most daring. Travel down one of its six rivers on a rafting tour to put your paddling skills to the test. You can choose from different activities, depending on how much adrenaline you want. Brave rapids from a beginner level to an expert level, in a lush setting full of life. 

Keep the adrenaline going all day and zip-line between the trees to see the forest from a different perspective.

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If you have a few more days left on your trip, be sure to spend time in Boquete and make the most of everything it has to offer. Work on your grip by rock climbing, visit a sheep farm, learn about bees and take part in a honey tasting, follow different trails to waterfalls, go on bird-watching tours, and much more. 

Looking to connect with the sea?

Visit Panamá’s Caribbean coast. If you’ve come this far, don’t think twice—park your car in Puerto Almirante and take a water taxi to Isla Colon. The Bocas del Toro Archipelago is a group of idyllic islands where you’ll find an immense variety of activities to spend time on the beach or in nature, surfing or partying.

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If you visit the islands in Bocas del Toro, be sure to do a quick scuba diving certification to explore the depths of the Caribbean Sea. If you’re already certified, find a dive site for experts to swim around sunken ships and explore caves in a world full of color and life.

To learn more about Bocas del Toro, visit our site and plan your itinerary. 

Connect with nature

Back on the mainland, continue exploring the province of Bocas del Toro by visiting wetlands that have been declared a Ramsar Site due to their international importance. The San San Pond Sak Wetlands National Park is a wildlife refuge for native and migratory species, with more than 133 bird species, 55 mammal species, 54 reptile species, and 20 amphibious species. But the stars here are the manatees, which you can see from the AAMVECONA (Asociación de Amigos y Vecinos de la Costa y la Naturaleza [Association of Friends and Neighbors of the Coast and Nature]) platform, which is responsible for managing and protecting the wetlands.

Looking for more challenges and adventures?

Visit the community of Alto La Gloria, part of the Ngäbe-Buglé region, to set out on the trail to the Alto Chorro waterfall. This trail is challenging due to the ascents and descents in the middle of a dense jungle. The reward: a waterfall between two lush mountains, a river flowing by, and panoramic views for the perfect photo. Enjoy a day out in nature, conquer the trail, and go for a dip in this sacred place.

Bear in mind that the tour must be booked before arriving to the community. 

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Women in the community also offer an artisanal chocolate-making experience. Enjoy this unique experience during which you’ll harvest the cacao and follow the steps in ancient processes to make the drink of the gods.