The Panamanian province we are staying in is called Chiriqui. North of the town we are staying in, Concepcion, is Volcan Baru, Panama’s highest point and only volcano. On either side of the volcano are two towns, Boquete and Cerro Punta. We visited both of these towns on separate days, as well as a town south of Boquete.
Boquete is known for its coffee plantations, flowers, and cooler weather. Just driving a half hour north of where we are staying in Concepcion, the difference in the weather is amazing. We spent a nice day with Jose, Ingrid, and Arturo touring the flower gardens and resorts in the area. This area is definitely a tourist destination, and it is easy to see why. The views of the hills with the volcano in the backround were breathtaking.
South of Boquete is the small town of Caldera. Caldera is incredibly picturesque, with volcano views and rolling hills. We visited the hot springs there one afternoon. In the US this place would be a huge resort, and with a hotel at $150 a night. Here it is someone’s farm, and entry is a dollar. The springs are marked off by rocks piled up to form a wall. The land looked down to a fast moving river below. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon soaking it all in, literally.
Cerro Punta is a straight shot north of where we are staying in Concepcion. There is an area of the road on the way to Cerro Punta that is very interesting. If you stop your car on the hill, where your car should roll backwards in neutral, it rolls upward. And vice versa, when you are facing down the hill, your car rolls up the hill. No one knows why this happens, and it is only in a 10 foot area of the highway.
Jose, Sean, little Jose (OPG Dog) and I spent a day driving around Cerra Punta and sampling their local strawberries, which were amazing. We then went to a trout farm where we fished for trout. Or in my case, attempted to fish for trout.
If you head south from where we are there are some incredible beaches, as well as the extreme north of the region. People that live in Chiriqui say that they have it all here. I think that I have to agree.
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