Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
hind the beans. The tour takes 1½ to 2½ hours and cost depends on the number of parti-
cipants.
Finca Lérida
TOUR
( 730-1230;
www.fincalerida.com
; 2½hr tour US$35)
A tour of the family-run estate Finca
Lérida is quite thorough, showing both the business side of a small farm and the process
of production from coffee cherry to cup. Part of the tour focuses on the farm's transition
to organic and sustainable practices, with composting and reduced water consumption.
Café Ruíz
TOUR
OFFLINE MAP
( 720-1392;
www.caferuiz.com
;
3hr tour US$30; 9am Mon-Sat)
Located on the main road
about 600m north of the town center, Café Ruíz is Panama's most famous coffee-grower,
and now produces the award-winning Gesha coffee. The tour includes transportation to a
nearby coffee farm, a presentation on the history of coffee in Boquete, a tour of a roast-
ing facility and a tasting session. Reservations are required.
Kotowa Coffee Estate
TOUR
( 720-3852)
This gourmet grower offers the most comprehensive coffee-estate tour in
the area. Guests learn about the estate's history (beginning with a Canadian's arrival in
1918), get a full tour of the production facilities and processing mill, and have a tasting
session. Call ahead for current prices; reservations are requested with 24 hours' notice.
Truck Tours
Boquete Mountain Safari
DRIVING TOUR
( 6627-8829;
www.boquetesafari.com
;
Av Central; half-day 4WD US$35)
Boquete Mountain
Safari offers scenic back-country tours in open jeeps. Highlights of the cloud-forest safari
include stops around Boquete to check out coffee estates, basalt formations and water-
falls - or you can beeline for the Caldera hot springs. This outfit also rents scooters.
THE RESPLENDENT QUETZAL
The Central American lore of the resplendent quetzal originated during the era of
the Maya and the Aztecs, who worshipped a deity known as Quetzalcoatl (Plumed
Serpent). This mythical figure was often depicted as wearing a crown of male quet-
