Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the raging torrents of the Río Chiriquí Viejo and the verdant peaks of the
Cordillera Central to the marine-rich coral, swampy mangroves and empty sands of
the Golfo de Chiriquí, the diverse scenery of Chiriquí and Veraguas offers some of
Panama's top natural attractions. Magnificent in their own right, they also provide the
setting for a range of exhilarating outdoor adventure activities, including whitewater
rafting, kayaking, diving, surfing, hiking and zip-lining. Though Veraguas is the only
province in the country to border both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Chiriquí gets
most of the headlines since - as Chiricanos will proudly remind you - the province is
the
granero
(granary) or
canasta de pan
(breadbasket) of Panama. As well as growing
most of the country's agricultural produce - everything from rice to strawberries - it
also boasts the country's second city, David, and its best-known resort town, Boquete.
The
Tierras Altas
(Highlands) at the western end of Panama, to the north of David, attract
most attention and tourists, with the cool, sunny climate and spectacular scenery of
Boquete
a
magnet for North American and European retirees. The town provides a great base for explor-
ing the surrounding cloud forests or ascending Panama's highest peak,
Volcán Barú
, which
can also be approached from the less touristy settlements of
Volcán
and
Cerro Punta
on its
western flanks. The latter provides a convenient springboard for the rugged, little-explored
peaks of the
Parque Internacional La Amistad
.
A large area of the forested slopes of eastern Chiriquí forms part of the
Comarca Ngäbe-
Buglé
, which includes some of western Veraguas on both sides of the continental divide and
extends into much of
Bocas del Toro
province.
South of the central cordillera lie the
Tierras Bajas
(Lowlands), home to the tranquil pro-
vincial capitals of
David
and
Santiago
, the former coming alive during its annual
interna-
tional agricultural fair
in March; the region's other main festival, celebrating flowers and cof-
fee, takes place in Boquete every January.
South of David lies the
Golfo de Chiriquí
, a vast body of water with beautiful coastal
fringes and deserted islands that stretches from the Costa Rican border to the Veraguas side
of the Azuero Peninsula in the east. Surrounded by nutrient-rich waters that attract dazzling
aquatic life, including humpback whales, the gulf contains the mangroves and coral of the
Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriquí
and the former penitentiary of
Isla Coiba
,
which is renowned for its scuba diving and pristine rainforest. It is most easily accessed from
Santa Catalina
, a mellow fishing village and the country's top surfing venue, tucked away in
the southwestern corner of Veraguas. To reach here you pass through the provincial capital,
Santiago
, a bustling commercial and agricultural centre that is also the gateway to the
Cent-
ral Highlands
to the north. The standout destination here is the delightful unspoilt mountain
village of
Santa Fé
, which is renowned for its orchids and waterfalls, and provides access to
a little explored national park.
