Overview

Situated in western Panama near the Costa Rican border, the beautiful Chiriquí Highlands are a mountainous paradise bursting with wildlife, cool mountain breezes, and endless outdoor adventures. The region is best known for its lush trails surrounding Volcán Barú, Panama’s only volcano and highest peak, where hikers are rewarded with stunning views of both the Pacific and Caribbean on clear days. Boquete, the area’s most popular town, is a hub for cozy accommodations and serves as an ideal launching point for exploring nearby attractions. The highlands are also home to Volcán and Cerro Punta, charming towns nestled among rolling hills and coffee farms. With its rich biodiversity, vibrant expat community, and crisp climate, the Chiriquí Highlands offer the perfect blend of adventure and tranquility in one of Panama’s most captivating regions.

Things to See & Do

Explore Boquete Town, Chiriqui’s adventure capital. Set in the foothills of the majestic Volcan Baru, it's famed for its cool climate, pristine nature, and world-class coffee. Stroll through flower gardens, art galleries, and local markets. The town is easy to explore on foot. You’ll find art galleries, cafes, artisan shops, and lively restaurants highlighting the region’s famed Beisha coffee. Don’t miss the Boquete Flower and Coffee Festival in January.

Take a Coffee Tour and Tasting. Chiriqui’s fertile volcanic soil makes for excellent coffee growing. This region’s particular claim-to-coffee-fame is Geisha Panama, one of the world’s most expensive cups of joe. Take of tour of one of the plantations such as Finca Lérida, Finca Dos Jefes, or Café Ruiz for tastings and guided tours. From planting and harvesting ripe cherries to drying and roasting the beans, ending in a tasting, this is an excellent way to appreciate the coffee from the region.

Hike Volcan Baru, Panama’s highest point. At 11,398 ft, the top of dormant volcan Baru is the highest point offering views over the Atlantic and Pacific coasts on a clear day. The 55-sq-mile namesake national park is teeming with wildlife, including pumas, monkeys, and more than 250 bird species. It’s a steep and challenging 17-mile hike (around six hours up), and another six back to Boquete. You can tackle the hike overnight to get a fabulous sunrise from the summit before heading back down. You can also 4WD tour ride up to the summit, which sets off early morning to catch the sunrise.

Go Birdwatching in the Cloud Forest. Hike along a magical cloud forest trail such as the 4.3-mile Sendero Los Quetzales between Boquete and Cerro Punta in search of exotic species like the resplendent quetzal, a vibrant emerald-green plumage and truly a striking bird, February to May are the best months for sightings. Other popular birdwatching hikes are the Pipeline Trail and La Amistad International Park.

Head to the Gulf of Chiriqui to discover the marine life. The Gulf is dotted with tiny tropical islands, dense mangrove forests, and one of the Pacific’s largest coral reefs, home to monkeys, turtles, a host of birds, several rainbow-colored fish, and around 20 species of marine mammals. These species are all under the protection of the Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriqui.

Discover the fabulous Waterfalls of the region. The Lost Waterfalls trail, the most popular, offers three stunning waterfalls near Boquete. The round-trip 2.1-mile hike is surrounded by evergreen jungle that’s home to sloths, monkeys, and elusive quetzals. Another beautiful waterfall is the Cascada San Ramón in Volcán.

Enjoy Outdoor Adventures. Go horseback riding, white-water rafting, zip-lining, or ATV touring. The Caldera Hot Springs, about 30 minutes from Boquete, is a relaxing experience with natural pools in a jungle setting.