Nature in its purest form, challenges tourists to travel extensive areas in search of the best experiences and views from the heights, that can be discovered in Chiriqui Province. Its biodiversity is known worldwide, it has even been chosen as a retirement destination for excellence.
Chiriqui is also known as “Valle de La Luna” (Moon Valley) for its meaning in Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous dialect. This province bathed by the Pacific Ocean, borders with Costa Rica, and has cool weather in sectors such as Volcan, Cerro Punta and Boquete, with low temperatures ranging from 15º C to even less than 0º C at the top of the volcano.
Ecotourism is among its greatest attractions, especially in the Highlands, where there is a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, zip line, or with certain levels of difficulties trekking, or extreme sports such as rappelling and river rafting, with 100% adrenaline guarantee.
Its tourist brand slogan is `Discover Chiriquí´, because of the many things to do. You should not be surprised, that locals practice tourism in their own province every weekend and holidays.
Chiriqui is Adventure
One of the best tourism options for the whole family is to go hiking. First, you must contact a certified guide who knows the route and reports to the offices of the National Environment Authority (ANAM) for security reasons. Among the most popular hiking trails are:
Baru Volcano Trail: the most demanding tour if you want to reach the top of Baru Volcano (3,475 meters) the highest peak in the country. There are different routes that go from climbing to the summit in comfortable 4×4 cars, trekking and camping at different places. You can take the West (Volcan) or East (Boquete) entrance.
Los Quetzales Trail: links Boquete and Cerro Punta through La Amistad International Park. Its name is due to the more than 300 pairs of Quetzales birds within the Baru National Park.
Culebra Trail: its initial three mile stretch is to enjoy the surrounding biodiversity, but if you want to go hiking, its route goes deep and stretches for 18 km. The total tour can last up to seven days.
Path of the Bridges: in the Talamanca mountain range that borders La Amistad International Park, there is a 4.5 km route, where you can visit six suspension bridges located on treetops.
One of the most popular sports in Boquete is rappelling and the most frequented rock for climbing is the Gunko, whose basaltic forms with volcanic bricks make it a challenge for beginners and experts. Another destination for rappelling is at the Jä Wäkta waterfall, where you can also take a dip in its natural pools.
Gliding Over Treetops and Rivers: is possible if you include a Zip Line Canopy tour. There is a 3.5 kms steel cable divided into 12 segments with different heights and connecting 13 platforms, children and adults can embark on an adventure through the heights.
River Rafting Adventure: you can find tour packages on the Chiriqui Viejo River, Gariche, Esti, Majagua and Rio Grande. There are different routes where there are sections with small Class I Rapids with waves up to three feet high, and Class II, Long Rapids with irregular and difficult waves.
Every year, the Boquete Chamber of Tourism organizes the Baru Eco Fest, where locals and foreigners join the adventure to climb the highest peak in the country. An experience that many want to embark to always remember.
