Boquete, Panama, what's not to like?

It all started with House Hunters International, as so many things do around our home.  I was upstairs in the office when my wife called up the back staircase, “Honey, have you ever heard of Boquete?”  “No,” said I.  But a quick poke at Mr. Google unleashed goo-gobs of websites, blogs, and photos about this lush mountain retirement paradise in Panama. 

Retirement?  I’m only… uh, … I’m too young to retire, I thought.  But luckily I didn’t dismiss it altogether.  After a little more reading and a bit of rumination the possibilities of this little highland town becoming a future home began to grow on me.  Next thing you know, I’m looking at real estate and thinking about how great it would be to live in Boquete, Panama.

Of course this is a common occurrence. Folks see beautiful places and think it would be wonderful to live there, like our friend who dreams of moving to Paris and writing a novel.  Never-mind the fact he freely admits he has no intention of writing, but the thought of sitting at some sidewalk café, wearing a beret, smoking, and talking endlessly about the book he’s going to write fuels his artistic dream.  And so it is with Boquete; but dream or not? 

Boquete, Panama is a lush mountain hamlet straddling the Caldera River with about 19,000 residents living in the Boquete district and near 3,000 being permanent foreign inhabitants.  Most are from the US and Canada with a sprinkling of Europeans.  The weather is sublime (70s and 80s year round), the cost of living is phenomenal (40% to 50% less than the US), and the natives are friendly.  So far, what’s not to like? 

We made our first journey, of three, in 2009 and each time was better than the last.  There are a number of nice places to stay but on each visit we chose the beautiful Coffee Estate Inn (http://www.coffeeestateinn.com/index.html).  

Located on the east side of town, this exclusive hotel accommodates six guests in three bungalows, each with spectacular views of the Baru volcano and the Boquete valley.  Our friends Jane and Berry are gracious hosts, extraordinary cooks, and just a lot of fun to hang out with.

Another plus for this small town is the number of nice restaurants.  Two of particular note are the Panamonte Hotel and The Rock.

Photo by Andrew Harper

Enjoying the full dining experience at the Panamonte (http://panamonte.com)

starts with drinks at the Fireside Lounge.  Around 6 PM, the bartender uses a flame-thrower to ignite two comforting fireplaces, one indoor and the other on the outdoor covered patio.   If it happens to be raining, the outdoor seating is a treat.  Of course, it’s easy to stay right there but moving on to dinner does not disappoint.

Small and well appointed, the dining room has the feel of a comfortable elegance.  Add to that the superior service, the extensive wine list, and the delightful creations of the award winning Executive Chef Charlie Collins and it’s easy to see why it has been recognized as the best Restaurant in Panama.

Quick on the heels of the best in Boquete (and maybe Panama) is The Rock (http://www.therockboquete.com).  By priding itself on dedication to local producers, its menu hasn’t gone wrong.  Dishes like Boquete Trout ‘Navarro’ and Rock’s Signature Angus Flank Steak provide a culinary “slam-dunk.”  Mix that with the outdoor seating near the Caldera River and Monday Night Jazz – how can you miss? 

One other important consideration for visiting Boquete is the weather.  There are only two seasons, the rainy and the dry.  The wet weather starts around May and last for about seven or eight months.  Early in the season it’s just a few clouds rolling over the mountains for an occasional afternoon shower; but as the months march on, so does the frequency and length of the rainfall.  For people like me, who love the rain, it’s fantastic, for others, who don’t, not so much.  To learn more, visit boqueteweather.com (http://www.boqueteweather.com).