For more than 170 years, travelers have been going missing in Panama’s highlands.
Long before the Canal connected the Atlantic to the Pacific, gold prospectors were landing on Panama’s Atlantic coast on their way to the great California Gold Rush. The quickest route was to walk across Panama and catch a ship north to California.
Those fortune seekers aimed for a gap between two mountain peaks to get to the Pacific. The area became known as “Boquete”… “the gap.”
But not all the adventurers made it to the ships on the Pacific side…
Some worried what might have happened to these travelers in the highlands of Panama and why they never made it to California.
Today, still, people across America are baffled when friends seem to disappear in Boquete.
The reason for the disappearances hasn’t changed in 170 years. Travelers in Boquete aren’t being waylaid by bandits…
Nah… quite the contrary…
So many folks who make their way to Boquete are so captivated by the beautiful scenery and friendly community they find that they don’t ever want to leave.
Today, Boquete is still a remote area in Chiriquí Province in the highlands of Panama. Situated on the Caldera River, it’s just 60 kms from the Costa Rican border. Chiriquí Province has six townships. When we say Boquete, we mean Bajo Boquete, the main district town.
Bajo Boquete was officially founded in 1911 and currently has about 20,000 residents… of which a staggering 25% are expats.
Seeing the area for the first time, you understand the appeal. In Boquete, the streets are draped with flowers of every species and color, and artisanal markets line the sidewalks.
Agriculture and tourism dominate the economy. The coffee grown in this region is some of the best in the world, while greenhouses produce fresh produce year-round. Fresh flowers are grown here for the local and international markets, and citrus is a common cash crop.
Boquete is about a seven-hour drive away from Panama City or a one-hour flight from Panama City to the Enrique Malek International Airport in the city of David, which is about 40 minutes away from Boquete by car.
Boquete’s climate is one of the reasons so many expats choose it as their forever home.
At 3,940 feet above sea level, the climate is cooler and less humid than anywhere else in Panama, with a year-round average temperature of 64°F. Ample rainfall makes for the perfect conditions to grow produce.
During Boquete’s rainy season, each day follows the same pattern… mornings start bright and sunny, clouds roll in around midday, and afternoons bring rain and thunderstorms.
The abundance of natural treasures is another reason expats become entranced with Boquete. The surrounding cloud forests are home to 250 species of birds, including the quetzal and toucan, 5 species of big cats, and a myriad of other unique animals. The Lost Waterfalls trail leads you through thick jungle to a series of three spectacular waterfalls.
Boquete sits at the entrance to Volcán Barú National Park, which encompasses 14,325 hectares. The El Explorador gardens are only 3 kms northeast of Boquete and boast a 2-hectare private garden.
Boquete’s Large Expat Community
Boquete is home to a huge expat community. You’ll find plenty of like-minded people to socialize with and lots of cultural connections in town.
You can find high-quality familiar foods and international restaurants, although prices tend be higher than in other cities in Panama.
Expats gather once or twice weekly at the expat-owned restaurants like Sugar & Spice and Big Daddy’s. These meetups are posted in the Boquete Community Facebook group.
Boquete is a hot spot for digital nomads thanks to its generally excellent infrastructure. You can enjoy lively nightlife, massage studios, beauty salons, grocery stores, the flower market and festivals, and access to medical clinics.
If you’re interested in volunteering, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, from Amigos De Animales, who provide spay and neuter services, to Casa Esperanza, a nonprofit humanitarian organization fighting child labor in Panama, and more.
Boquete’s Lifestyle Appeal
While more expensive than other inland towns, the cost of living in Boquete is still lower than in the United States. A couple could live here comfortably on US$1,300 per month.
High-quality private medical clinics including specialists and dentists can handle any day-to-day health concerns. For any severe or underlying health conditions or for an operation, David’s first-rate health care is less than an hour away.
This town is peaceful and safe. Friendly locals and expats generally live unhurried lives free of crime and interreference. There’s no need to learn Spanish, as almost everyone speaks English.
Even though Boquete is a mountain town, it’s still close to beaches. Miles of pristine deserted beaches line the Pacific coast of Chiriquí, and day trips are easy. The stunning beaches of Bocas del Toro are also a couple of hours away.
Popular activities in Boquete include golf, hiking, birdwatching, coffee tours, ziplining and canopy tours, chocolate making, white-water rafting, and rock climbing.
You can even enjoy local performances by the community theater group, the Boquete Community Players.
A New Property Opportunity In Boquete
The word is out and the real estate market in Boquete is hot. Prices can be higher than elsewhere in this country because of high demand and low supply of quality product… but I have the inside scoop on a new high-end development that is going to change that.
This brand-new project—being launched officially this week—is your chance to supercharge your retirement while creating income and locking in turn-key profits.
And, right now, during this launch phase, Live And Invest Overseas readers are able to buy in at a preconstruction discount.
In addition, we’ve arranged for developer financing terms.
This private community beside the Boquete Country Club will consist of 98 units in two main buildings. It’ll have the feel of an Alpine resort.
All the condos will have high-end kitchens, terraced entrances, and open foyers to bring in the fresh air and to showcase the beauty of the stunning valley. On your doorstep you’ll have a social area, restaurants, a reading and coffee room, terraces, a firepit area, pools, and lookout decks. Plans also promise an on-site medical center.
This cozy mountain resort is across from the equestrian center and health spa… and just 10 minutes from Boquete town.
This new project will serve the demand for the booming eco-tourism market in Panama and, of course, all of the retirees flocking to Boquete.
As an investment you’re looking at an easy rental income of about US$18,000 a year.
This is a limited-time opportunity to participate in the best property buy in the history of Boquete.
Get in touch here now with your questions.
Con Murphy
Editor, Overseas Property Alert
