Panama Invites
Travelers to Experience the Chiriquí Highlands Region
With March
finished, Panama is celebrating the end of its iconic coffee harvest season and
embracing the surrounding touristic experiences in the Chiriquí Highlands
region.
Source: FT
NEWS
Best known for
producing Geisha Coffee, the most valuable coffee in the world and harvested by
the Ngäbe and Bugle indigenous people, the Chiriquí Highlands region boasts
highly fertile volcanic soil, making the area perfect for agriculture and
exploring natural lands.
To celebrate
the Specialty Coffee season, which starts in September and ends in March, La
Cosecha, an exclusive three-day event dedicated to celebrating the harvest,
invites coffee aficionados to learn about the extensive process that ultimately
creates some of the world's best brews. In its fourth installment held from
April 8-11 this year, the event features luxurious and intimate experiences –
from one-on-one tours with lead coffee harvesters in the region, a special
coffee ritual, cultural immersions with the Ngäbe indigenous community, to a
sunrise coffee tasting atop the famed Baru Volcano.
While coffee
roots run deep in the Highlands and the Chiriquí Province, the Coffee Circuit
is not all the premier mountain destination offers. The area is also known as
the land of flowers: a place for mountaineers, bird watchers and travelers
passionate about indigenous culture and natural attractions. Travelers looking
to visit the province can partake in numerous experiences from Panama's
Heritage Routes: Green (nature), Blue (oceans) and Cultural.
Adventure seekers
can hike the famous Baru Volcano, which reaches over 11,000 feet above sea
level, serving as the highest point in Panama. With its peak allowing hikers to
see both the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean at the same time, hikers can camp
above the clouds where they can stargaze and witness the summit at sunrise, or
hike at night to make it in time for the incredible sunrise views.
Culture hounds
can opt to visit the Ngäbe and Bugle people, two of Panama's seven indigenous
groups, who are proud to share their culture, cosmovision and history with
visitors, as well as the beautiful scenery and attractions that surround their
communities. The Ngäbe communities provide experiences including cacao tours,
waterfall hikes, a day on the organic farm, handicrafts, and cultural evenings
in an ecologically sustainable environment.
Nature lovers
will enjoy trekking to find the Lost Waterfall, a gorgeous hike through dense
rainforest that leads to three beautiful waterfalls in Boquete, Chiriquí.
Visitors can also join tours that offer white water rafting and ziplining
through the cloud forest, where you can achieve one-of-a-kind views of the
natural landscapes and wildlife. A trip to Panama is not complete for
birdwatchers without visiting the stunning tropical forest at La Amistad
International Park, renowned for its biodiversity, boasting more than 600 bird
species. One of them is the Resplendent Quetzal — a striking bird that was once
sacred to the ancient Mayans and Aztecs.
Visitors can
reach the Highlands by car (a 7-hour ride from Panama City) or take a less than
one-hour domestic flight to David, Chiriquí, followed by a 45-minute car ride.
Visiting the Chiriquí Highlands supports Panama's Master Plan for Sustainable
Tourism, recently recognized by UNESCO as an example of innovation and
sustainability, highlighting Panama's unique tourism routes. The plan
reactivates Panama's Tourism, Conservation and Research (TCI) strategy. The
updated TCI strategy focuses on three core areas: Cultural Heritage
(multifaceted culture), Green Heritage (extraordinary biodiversity) and Blue
Heritage (ocean wonders).