Province of Chiriqui: Among Coffee Plantations, Charming Towns, and Marine Beauty

Chiriqui has established itself as a renowned tourist destination, recently highlighted on Lonely Planet's Best in Travel Regions 2025. Its main appeal lies in the diversity of experiences it offers, from pristine beaches to picturesque mountains and an impressive volcano.

This destination invites travelers to explore miles of oceanfront beaches, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun, as well as engaging in various water activities. The mountains, adorned with lush forests and coffee fields, are perfect for hiking and nature lovers, where they can immerse themselves in a vibrant and lively environment.

Local culture also plays a fundamental role in the experience, featuring authentic flavors and traditions that reflect the region's richness. Coffee production stands out, with farms offering the opportunity to learn about the cultivation process and taste some of the world's finest varieties.

The Province of Chiriqui is an invitation to immerse oneself in a world of flavors, culture, and nature, where every corner tells a story waiting to be discovered.

Couple in coffee plantation, tree, mountains and blue sly in the background. Finca Lérida, Boquete, Chiriquí Province, Panamá

The Coffee Circuit 

Panamá has become an unstoppable force in growing and roasting high-quality coffee. Since the beginning of the coffee industry, our farms have been dedicated to perfecting their processes, earning all kinds of international awards for producing the finest products. If you're a coffee lover and delight in its irresistible aroma, don't miss the opportunity to visit the coffee farms of Boquete and Tierras Altas.

Pouring coffee at Altieri Coffee Farm in Boquete

The coffee circuit is made up of coffee farms that have opened their doors to share with you each step they take to achieve the best cup of coffee. Tour coffee plantations, learn how to plant, harvest, roast, and prepare coffee alongside experts. Participate in a cupping and learn about all the coffee varieties we cultivate. Taste our star: Geisha coffee, winner of countless awards, learn its history and try the coffee quoted as one of the most expensive in the world.

Couple enjoying near fireplace in Hacienda Mamecillo in Boquete, Chiriqui Province, Panamá

The Towns

Discover the towns surrounding Volcan Baru, nestled amidst wild nature, a landscape made of clouds, flowers, and vast forests to explore.

Come to Boquete, a charming town that stretches across the valley in the shadow of Baru. It's the perfect little town to explore on foot, accompanied by the breeze and surrounded by gardens and colorful flower beds. Enjoy nature by hiking to viewpoints and waterfalls. Explore your adventurous side with rock climbing, rappelling, rafting, zip-lining, and much more.

Man admiring landscape in a trail in the middle of the forest at Volcan Baru National Park

Tierras Altas, on the other side of the volcano, has its own personality. An agricultural town, with a rich history of migrants who fell in love with the mountains and live alongside the indigenous people who have roamed them for centuries. Plan your vacation based on your interests. Here, there are several options for you to experience agrotourism and take short walks among gardens, coffee plantations, and cattle ranches. If you're looking for something more extreme, you can hike through cloud forests. Organize a visit to the Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous community with a local guide, learn about their worldview, and take home one of their beautiful handicrafts as a souvenir.

A couple admiring the green hills of Mount Totumas at La Amistad International Park

Explore the La Amistad International Park (PILA), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to experience the wildest side of Panamá. Don't miss the Quetzal Trail, one of the most iconic, among many others. Visit viewpoints and reserves for birdwatching or discover waterfalls, canyons, and many more landscapes.

Climb Volcan Baru to watch the sunrise from the summit. When the sun finishes rising, after the spectacle of watching the forest wake up, on a clear day, you can see both oceans from the top.

Enjoy a good spa and the peaceful nights with the lullaby of the birds. Plan your vacation to experience the limits, such as the breeding and migration season of birds, the flower fair, and the coffee harvest.

Aerial view of fresh vegetables at Hacienda Mamecillo in Boquete, Chiriqui Province, Panamá

Be sure to include a good meal in your visit. In both towns, there are restaurants run by renowned chefs who delight visitors with delicious dishes made with local and organic ingredients following the Farm to Table concept. Additionally, you will find boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and hostels, for adventurers who enjoy a carefree experience.

Panoramic view of boat on blue waters with beautiful blue sky at Gulf of Chiriqui

The Sea

Discover the beaches and islands of the Gulf of Chiriqui. Plan a trip to beaches as varied as wild refuges, surfing spots, and those with black, white, and golden sand. Sailing the Chiriqui Sea is experiencing the wild side of life to the fullest. Book birdwatching, diving, snorkeling, and hiking tours, so you don't miss a thing.

Take a boat tour of the islands of Gulf of Chiriqui Marine National Park to discover its abundant marine life. From manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, and dolphins to whales. If you're looking for humpback whales, book your vacation to Panamá between July and October.

Snorkeling in blue water, with beautiful Caribbean reef at Gulf of Chiriqui

In the Gulf of Chiriqui, discover three gems: Paridas Island, where you'll be amazed by the number of birds that inhabit the cliffs; Coco Island, part of the Gulf of Chiriqui Marine National Park, home to a huge colony of frigatebirds; and Boca Brava, where you can observe more than 50 species in a single day.

If you want to slow down and enjoy a good beach day, go to Gamez Island or Bolaños and enjoy a paradisiacal landscape in the middle of the Pacific Ocean of Panamá. If you're looking for the ultimate luxury, the private beach of Las Secas has a luxury hotel, specializing in top-quality ecotourism.

Medium shot of a turtle as it swims among colorful corals in the reef.

Search for sea turtles in the moonlight as they release their tiny babies at La Barqueta Wildlife Refuge. This refuge, like many other beaches in Panamá, is dedicated to the conservation of 4 species of sea turtles (Hawksbill, Green, Olive Ridley, and Leatherback). With your visit, you can be part of the change and learn everything you need to protect them.

Side portrait of a green and purple hummingbird on a branch.

Ecotourism and Biodiversity

Chiriqui is a province full of life. The mountains, in addition to providing food for the entire country, are covered in lush forests. The beaches and seas are home to hundreds of species that have found peaceful and safe places to reproduce and thrive. These wildlife refuges, cherished as part of the important relationship with the environment, invite visitors to learn about their conservation efforts and discover a world filled with vibrant colors.

Woman Walking in beautiful Hanging bridge (facing backwards) lots of background vegetation

Getting There

Chiriqui is the southwesternmost province of Panamá. To reach the provincial capital quickly, take a domestic flight from Tocumen International Airport or Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport, both in Panama City, Panamá, to Enrique Malek International Airport in David. It takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there.

If you prefer to drive, it's approximately a 7-hour journey from Panama City, Panamá. You can travel via the Pan-American Highway or take a bus from the Albrook Bus Terminal.

 

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