Beautiful Boquete

Boquete, Panama, might be the most beautiful place ever. We endured several hours of construction and marginal roads en route. But the drive was worth it. Even though we only saw one rainbow on the drive up the mountain to an elevation of around 4,000 feet, locals enjoy them by the pot of gold full. They also enjoy spring-like temperatures year-round. Boquete sits alongside the Caldera River and I was comforted that Costa Rica is only 40 miles away. You know, just in case I got antsy! But I didn't.

Boquete is nestled between lush mountains and Volcan Baru. We drove by these gardens every day on our way into town. Beautiful!

I love this photo.

So cute.

We took four scenic drives during our stay. Each one funneled us through the mountains on a different breathtaking route. And each one seemed to surpass the previous. What I wouldn't give to be starting them all over again.

Boquete has a growing expat community. But someone's dreams dried up.

This sign always made me nervous. Is it warning us of a steep descent? Or, is it insinuating that if we keep driving, we'll be falling off the mountain, like this car appears to be. Uff da.

The view into the valley, from the foothills of Volcan Baru. The top of Volcan Baru is the highest point in Panama, at around 11,000 feet, give or take.

There are 900 species of birds in Boquete, like this resting hummingbird.

We didn't see any quetzals, but I enjoyed seeing this mural almost everyday as we walked around town. 

My husband said that if he was going to retire anywhere in Central America, Boquete would be at the top of his list. Here are five random reasons to retire in Boquete...

1) Mike's Global Grill. It has live music, lots of liquor, odd people and amazing food. Nuff said.

2) There's great pizza, and that's a must. Eating at Il Pianista nestled by a delightful waterfall, was like falling through a wormhole to the Italian countryside. But Boquete is really the Switzerland of Central America.

3) It's damn beautiful.

4) The farmer's market sells locally made goodies and bling.

5) You'll never run out of locally grown coffee and honey from Meil Boquetena. And there's great bread from Sugar and Spice to lather said honey on. The honey was so good in fact, that I'll be ordering all my honey from there now. It's that good!