Barú Volcano
The highest point in Panama, a dormant volcano above Boquete. Hikers climb through cloud forest to the summit, where on clear days both the Pacific and the Caribbean can be seen.
Boquete
Up in the cool highlands, a town of coffee farms, hikes to waterfalls and a climb of Volcán Barú.
Attractive locations
Volcán Barú National Park
A mountain park of cloud forest with trails such as the Quetzales trail between Boquete and Cerro Punta. It is a leading area for birdwatching, including the resplendent quetzal.
Cerro Punta
A high mountain village famed for its vegetable farms and cool weather, close to Volcán Barú. Hiking trails, fresh produce and views of terraced fields draw visitors.
La Amistad International Park
A huge cross-border park shared by Panama and Costa Rica, protecting cloud forest and wildlife in the Talamanca mountains. On the Panama side, trails begin near Cerro Punta.
Boquete Town
A cool highland town in Chiriqui province below Volcan Baru, known for coffee farms and gardens. Visitors tour plantations and set out on hikes into the surrounding forest.
Airports
Enrique Malek International Airport DAV
It is about 43 km in a straight line from Boquete.
Bocas del Toro "Isla Colón" International Airport BOC
It is about 65 km in a straight line from Boquete.
Changuinola Captain Manuel Niño International Airport CHX
It is about 76 km in a straight line from Boquete.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan21.6 °C86 mm
- Feb22.0 °C48 mm
- Mar22.7 °C64 mm
- Apr23.4 °C115 mm
- May23.4 °C279 mm
- Jun23.1 °C238 mm
- Jul22.7 °C281 mm
- Aug22.8 °C256 mm
- Sep22.9 °C222 mm
- Oct22.7 °C281 mm
- Nov22.3 °C311 mm
- Dec22.0 °C148 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: Jul, Oct, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 45% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
911 for police, ambulance and fire.
local government
Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá (ATP)
Helps with: Panama's national tourism authority. Its website lists a central phone line and email, plus regional offices and airport information centres, for tourism information.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Panama or planning a trip there.
Phone: +507 526-7000
Email: [email protected]
Address: Edificio BICSA, Financial Center, Piso 29, Ave. Balboa y Aquilino De La Guardia
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Panama
Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Panama office, in Ciudad del Saber, works on migration matters in Panama; its contact page lists a phone, email and address.
Who qualifies: Migrants and migration-related cases in Panama. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +507 305 3350
Email: [email protected]
Address: Calle Vicente Bonilla, Edificio 110, Ciudad del Saber, Clayton, 0819-00017 Panamá
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 911
local government
Police emergency number 104
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 104
local government
Ambulance and fire emergency number 103
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 103
ngo
Panamanian Red Cross
Helps with: The ICRC supports the society's humanitarian work, including family unity and restoring contact between family members. No contact details are given, so use the society's website.
Who qualifies: The page does not say who can use it. It describes the society as an auxiliary to the State, with volunteers.