Bored of Panama City and its famous canal? Heard enough about Carnival? Well, pack your bags and head west to the land of flowers, caffeine, and pure mountain madness – welcome to the Boquete Flower and Coffee Festival or Feria de Boquete.
This isn’t your average sleepy town fair. Oh no. Boquete goes full technicolour meltdown every January, transforming into a riot of flowers, food, and fiestas. The streets? Taken over. The park by the river? Absolutely drowning in floral explosions. Food? Everywhere. Coffee? Flowing like a caffeinated river straight into your veins.
People show up – lots of people. You’ll get art, music, dancing, and vibes so Latin you might just salsa your way home. The real party starts when the sun goes down, and trust me, it’s not a quiet little soirée. It’s loud, proud, and goes late. Bring a jacket though – this is mountain territory, and the nights get chilly. Oh, and don’t forget your camera. If you didn’t Instagram it, did you even go?
A Quick History Lesson of the Boquete Flower and Coffee Festival
Back in 1950, someone had the genius idea to throw this festival. They did it off and on until 1970, when some floods rudely interrupted. But by 1971, Boquete said, “Not today, floods,” and made it a yearly thing. They used to party in April, but by 1991, they switched it up to January – apparently, flowers like the new year better.
When’s the Boquete Flower and Coffee Festival Happening?
Mark your calendars – January 8 to 19, 2025. It’ll cost you a little something to get in, but hey, beauty isn’t free.
So, What Else Can You Do Around Here?
First off – Baru Volcano National Park. Climb it. From the top, you can flex on both the Pacific and the Caribbean. Hikers, horse riders, and nature junkies, this place is your jam. Bird nerds, take note: the quetzal (yes, that fancy bird) is hanging out here too. Oh, and if you prefer bugs to birds, there’s a butterfly garden.
For the adrenaline junkies – zip lining and rock climbing are ready to test your limits. You didn’t come all this way to sit around, right?
Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
International flights land at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. From there, you’ve got options:
- Fly to David (Enrique Malek Airport).
- Hop a bus.
- Hitch a ride with a local taxi driver who’ll probably give you life advice on the way.
Once you hit David, it’s just a quick 40 km to Boquete. Easy.
Where to Crash
David’s cool and all – it’s the regional capital – but let’s be real, Boquete is where you want to be. Hotels fill up fast, so don’t slack on booking.
Need more info?
Click some links. Or just show up and let the fiesta take care of the rest.
This festival sounds amazing! I can’t wait to experience the vibrant colors and lively music.
it does sound brilliant doesn’t it?