Boquete: Hiking, Nature, and Quetzals in the Heart of Panama

Third stop on our Panama road trip: Boquete.
Looking back, we might have skipped this stop if we had found direct transportation from Bocas to Santa Catalina. While the nature is undeniably beautiful, the town itself lacks charm and feels overly touristy, with many paid trails.

Feel free to share or comment if you’ve spotted Quetzals in other locations!

Why Visit Boquete?

Nestled in the mountains of Chiriquí Province, Boquete is a perfect destination for hiking enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and lovers of lush greenery. It’s also one of the best spots in Central America to see the legendary quetzal.

Comment se rendre à Boquete ?

How to Get to Boquete

From Bocas del Toro:
Direct shuttle with Hello Travel ($30, approx. 4h ride).
Price ranges between $30 and $35 – advance booking recommended.
WhatsApp contact for questions: +507 6378-1097

From Panama City:
Overnight bus to David, then a local bus to Boquete.

Our Itinerary in Boquete

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring the Town
We left Isla Colón at noon by boat and then transferred to a minibus, all arranged through Hello Travel.
At 1 p.m., we stopped for lunch at a roadside eatery and arrived in Boquete around 3 p.m.

We stayed at Camping Park Hotel – great value for money.

We took a walk in Parque Biblioteca Boquete and visited the hanging bridge.
Dinner was at Pariente Food Truck – highly recommended!

Day 2: Three Waterfalls & Pipeline Trail Hike – Quetzal Spotting Adventure

Three Waterfalls Hike

We took a full collectivo around 9 a.m. ($2.50, 25 min) to reach the start of the Three Waterfalls Trail (marked on Google Maps).
After crossing a bridge and climbing uphill, we reached the paid entrance ($10).

The waterfalls are stunning and worth the effort, though parts of the trail are challenging with rope sections for support.
It took us about 2 hours total.

Pipeline Trail

Next, we did the Pipeline Trail hike ($5 entrance), located about 20 minutes back toward Boquete by road.

The trail is enjoyable, though the main draw is the chance to spot Quetzals. Bring binoculars!
A sign marks the beginning of the observation area – about 30 minutes in.

We spotted some near the end of the trail. (see in pictures)

Top Tip: Ask hikers with binoculars what they’ve seen and where.
Someone pointed us to a quetzal nest – we spent 15-20 minutes scanning and were lucky to see a pair of quetzals on a branch. We watched them for 20–30 minutes before an eagle scared them off.

We hitchhiked back into town after waiting at a bus stop.

Dinner was at Apizza – good value!

Other Things to Do in Boquete

(We didn’t have time for these, so check other sites for more details.)

Hike to Volcán Barú
Reach Panama’s highest peak (3,475 m) to see the sunrise over both oceans.

Solo (free but physically demanding)
Guided 4×4 tour: $60–90
Night hike with guide: $30–50

Coffee Plantation Tour
Learn how Geisha coffee – one of the world’s most expensive – is grown and roasted.
Tasting included!

Price: $30–45
Duration: ~2h30

Ziplining through the Canopy
12 platforms, 3 km of ziplining in the tropical forest.

Price: $65
Duration: ~3h

Cloud Forest Trails

El Pianista Trail: popular and mystical (check the weather!)
Los Quetzales Trail: potential to see the famous bird
- Solo: Free
- With local guide: $25–40 depending on trail and duration

Caldera Hot Springs
Perfect for relaxing post-hike! Located 30 min from Boquete.

Entrance: $2–5

Mountain Biking or Horseback Riding
Explore Boquete’s countryside by bike or horse.