Panorama and Copa invite you to an adventure in Chiriquí
Chiriquí is known for its mountains covered in coffee bushes, cool climate, excellent cuisine, and cozy hotels. In addition to its relaxed and charming atmosphere, Chiriquí also offers the perfect starting point for unforgettable a adventures filled with nature, culture, and adrenaline. This month Panorama and Copa Airlines invite you to discover Panama’s most vibrant destination. It’s a trip that could even turn out to be free.
By: Margarita de los Rios
Photos: Javier A. Pinzón
How would you like to watch the sunrise from the peaks of the Barú volcano while enjoying a delicious picnic (without having to hike or struggle up the steep mountain)? Or taste more than ten flavors of honey with hints of pine, chili, or citrus, in a space as simple as it is sophisticated?
Or enjoy a Geisha coffee (the most highly-prized coffee in the world) ice cream on the banks of a burbling brook? Ice cream on the banks of a burbling brook? Or explore the living culture of the Ngäbe-Bugle indigenous people and fall under the spell of the roaring water of Panama’s most spectacular waterfall? Or relax on the heavenly beaches of the Gulf of Chiriqui?
All this and much more is pOsible in Chiriquí, western Panama’s quintessential destination, which you may have a chance to visit for free, thanks to an alliance between Panorama of the Americas, Copa Airlines, and Authentic Travel. Check our social media (@panoramadelasamericas) to discover all that Chiriqui has to offer and take advantage of this opportunity to win your own Chiriquí adventure. Here are five of the many adventures you can experience in this region.
The Chiriquí Experience contest, organozed by Panorama de las Américas and Viajes Auténticos with support from Copa Airlines, offers three (3) two-person prizes to the participants who shares as creatively as possible on our social media the reason why they’d like to visit Chiriquí in the company of that “special someone”. Follow our social media whuere you”ll find the contest’s terms and conditions.
1. FINCA EL OASIS
The Bard Volcano is Panama’s highest mountain and the El Oasis estate, at its foot, is the highest in the country. Naturally, the estate’s zip line is the highest in Panama and its picturesque flock of sheep lives with their heads literally in the clouds.
The El Oasis estate adventure begins in downtown Boquete, where you’ll board one of the estate’s picturesque trucks equipped for adventure tourism. After traveling six miles, the bus turns off onto a dirt and stone road that leads to the welcoming El Oasis facilities in the middle of Barú National Park.
The estate includes terraces open to the landscape-tow-ering 7,200 feet above sea level— a delicious restaurant, and knowledgeable guides that will offer you at least three extraordinary adventures.
Finca Oasis, on the slopes of the Barú volcano, boasts Panama’s highest zip line.
Its picturesque flock of sheep live with their heads literally in the clouds.
The estate includes terraces open to the landscape towering 7,200 feet above sea level a delicious restaurant, and knowledge guides that will offer you at least three extraordinary adverntures.
Did you know that Suffolk sheep have a white body and a black head? Or that the Dorper breed developed in South Africa to survive in desert conditions now thrives happily in the mountains of Panama? You’ll learn this and more amidst a flock of sheep that you can feed and pet as if they were old friends.
El Oasis also offers extreme adventure, including an 8-cable zip line covering a 1.5-mile route above the forests of Barú National Park, and the dramatic Falcón zip line that descends over half a mile at a speed of up to fifty miles per hour due to the angle of inclination.
The estate also offers lodging, 4×4 tours to the top of the Barú volcano, and hiking along mountain trails with an abundance of birds, including, at certain times of year, the amazing quetzal.
2. DISCOVER, TASTE, AND ENJOY MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED TYPES OF HONEY
On this 8.5-acre boutique estate, surrounded by coffee plantations and flower gardens, Scottish botanist Emily Haworth created La Casita de la Miel, where sustainable beekeeping, learning, and a love of nature all come together.
At the apiary, visitors learn about four species of stingless bees, all native to Panama, Central, and South America and capable of producing honey without posing a danger to humans.
All the experiences listed here are part of the Coffee Circuit and the Golf of Chiriquí Circuit, a business organization that has organized the province’s tourist offerings.
The estate also boasts a butterfly farm where tourists can witness the miracle of metamorphosis: from the egg to catterpillar to pupa, until the butterfly spreads its wings and takes flight.
Tastings take place in an inviting room where experts guide you through a sampling of more than thirty types of honey, from varietals which depend on the flowers visited by bees to infusions with natural ingredients that create delicious combinations imbued with medicinal properties. Among the most special are the smooth, delicate Corpachí honey, harvested only in the Central American mountain ranges, and the powerful blends of honey with cocoa and spicy chilies inspired by the traditional recipes of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. An explosion of energy and flavor! The estate also boasts a butterfly farm where tourists can witness the miracle of metamorphosis: from egg to caterpillar to pupa, until the butterfly finally spreads its wings and takes flight.
3. A 4X4 UP TO THE VOLCANO
Is a lack of physical training or time keeping you from enjoying the best experiences? Happily, anyone can now enjoy a sunrise from atop the Barú Volcano, one of the most breathtaking experiences Panama has to offer.
The adventure begins at 4:00 a.m. in downtown Boquete, and in less than two hours, you’ll reach the top of the volcano, just in time to see the sun rise. The experience includes a picnic breakfast at the summit, surrounded by clouds, nature, and a breathtaking view.
If you’re lucky enough to have a clear day, you’ll be able to see both the Pacific and the Caribbean, a natural experience possible only in Panama.
The return journey is a perfect opportunity to calmly enjoy the scenery in Barú Volcano National Park with its abundant flora, fauna, and breathtaking views.
The tour lasts five to seven hours and is ideal for those who want to enjoy the best of the Barú volcano without physical challenges or long walks. Perfect for families, cou-ples, or travelers short on time but eager for adventure.
4. FROM THE HEIGHTS OF BARÚ TO THE HEART OF THE NGÄBE-BUGLÉ REGION
After conquering the heights of the Barú volcano, why not continue the adventure by exploring an authentic cultural side of Panama? If you head down to the city of David, Hotel Aranjuez offers an ideal base for a unique ethno-tourism experience.
Prepare to immerse yourself in the Soloy community, located in the Ngäbe-Buglé region. Enjoy an up-close encounter with this indigenous Panamanian people, sharing their customs, listening to the ancestral call of the conch shell, and discovering otherworldly landscapes.
The Soloy community in the Ngäbe-Buglé region offers a chance to share with one of Panama’s indigenous peoples and discover otherwordly landscapes.
The Kiki Waterfall, one of Panama’s most spectacular hidden treasures. is the highlight of this tour.Your tour operator will dirve you up to Cerro Banco, about two hours from Davis, in a 4×4 vehicle and drop you at the head of a short trail.
Your first stops on the trail is a natural viewpoint about fifteen to twenty minutes downhill. From there, you can explore other viewpoints, slip in behind the waterfall, or descend to the crystal-clear pool below. the round-trip hike takes about 45 minutes.
Nature, vibrant culture, and breathtaking scenery combine to connect and soul with the deepest part of Panama. Ideal for those looking for more than tourism: a real experience.
5. AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF...THE COAST!
After exploring the mountains and vibrant cultures of Panama’s interior, it’s time for a change of pace and a chance to be carried away by the sea breeze. From David, you can also escape to the Gulf of Chiriquí and discover one of the best kept secrets of Panama’s Pacific coast: the Paridas Islands.
The adventure begins in Boca Chica, a pinturesque coastal town. From there, it’s a forty- to fifty- minute boat ride to Gámez Island, passing through a paradise of islands like Boca Brava, Bolaños, and San José, with their verdant landscapes and vibrant waters. If you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of exotic birds and marine life along the way.
Gámez Island is located inside the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park, a protected area that preserves this valuable natural environment. The island is a true tropical paradise with palm trees, two white sand beaches connected by a sandbar, and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming. Gámez-where time stands still and all you need is a towel, a good book, and a desire to enjoy yourself- is the ideal place for a day with family, friends, or as a couple.
Leave a Reply