- Volcán Barú — Panama’s highest peak and the classic highland must-do: hike for a sunrise summit and, on a clear day, stand where both the Pacific and Caribbean can be seen. It’s the region’s dramatic centerpiece and a proper test of stamina (and early alarms).
- Sendero Los Quetzales (Los Quetzales Trail) — a lush cloud-forest route famous for regular sightings of the Resplendent Quetzal and other highland birds. Quiet, birdy, and very much a Chiriquí-exclusive wildlife moment — my personal favorite for the thrill of spotting that emerald flash.
- Finca Lérida Coffee Estate — a working high-altitude coffee finca near Boquete that runs honest, hands-on tours and tastings. You get the slope-to-cup story, dramatic views, and coffee that tastes of the place it was grown — not a generic souvenir
- Volcán Barú — Panama’s highest peak and the classic highland must-do: hike for a sunrise summit and, on a clear day, stand where both the Pacific and Caribbean can be seen. It’s the region’s dramatic centerpiece and a proper test of stamina (and early alarms).
- Sendero Los Quetzales (Los Quetzales Trail) — a lush cloud-forest route famous for regular sightings of the Resplendent Quetzal and other highland birds. Quiet, birdy, and very much a Chiriquí-exclusive wildlife moment — my personal favorite for the thrill of spotting that emerald flash.
- Finca Lérida Coffee Estate — a working high-altitude coffee finca near Boquete that runs honest, hands-on tours and tastings. You get the slope-to-cup story, dramatic views, and coffee that tastes of the place it was grown — not a generic souvenir shop presentation.
- Caldera Hot Springs (Termales de Caldera) — natural thermal pools in a mountain river setting, perfect for aching-legs recovery after hikes. It’s rustic, warm, and set in a narrow valley — simple, satisfying, and local-friendly.
- Boquete Farmers’ Market (Mercado de Agricultores) — weekend market where growers and artisans from the highlands sell fresh vegetables, flowers, cheese, preserves, and chiriquí-grown coffee. Great place to chat with locals, try fruits you’ve never seen, and buy small-batch foods straight from the producer.
- El Pipeline Trail — an accessible cloud-forest trail that threads waterfalls, creeks, and dense bird habitat close to Boquete town. Fewer blisters than Barú, top-flight birding and waterfall stops make it a proper day-hike that feels local rather than manufactured.
- Mi Jardín (private hummingbird & orchid garden) — hidden gem: a small, lovingly kept garden near Boquete where species-packed hummingbird feeders and native orchids put on a close-up show. Not crowded and hugely rewarding for photographers and slow observers.
- Finca Elida (small-scale coffee farm) — hidden gem: one of the region’s specialty coffee producers where you can arrange a deeper, farmer-to-visitor tour. It’s less polished than touristy estates but gives a real look at micro-lot cultivation and processing practices unique to Chiriquí’s microclimates.
- Cerro Punta agricultural route and dairy farms — hidden gem: the highland village and surrounding terraces where cool-climate vegetables, flowers and local cheeses are produced. Drive or bike the backroads, stop at roadside stalls for strawberries and fresh cheese, and watch mountain farming rhythms that don’t exist in lowland Panama.
- La Amistad International Park — highland sector — UNESCO-listed cloud forest and a biodiversity stronghold that spills up into the Chiriquí Highlands. Parts are visitable by guided trek; the old-growth forest, endemic plants, and sense of remoteness make it a special contrast to the more accessible trails closer to town.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
v2.webp)











Best Backpacking
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.