Panama expands its tourist experiences in the coffee farms of Chiriquí

Panama is making its mark as an unforgettable tourist destination for travelers from all over the world, expanding the tourist experiences in the local coffee farms of the Chiriquí Highlands. The region is known for the production of Geisha Coffee, the most valuable in the world and harvested by the indigenous Ngäbe and Buglé communities. The area offers a series of unforgettable experiences, from excursions, coffee tastings and zip lines in emblematic family farms, to trails in the Barú Volcano, one of the only places in the world where you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea at the same time. . You can also participate in bird watching in the impressive mountainous region and delight in the extraordinary gastronomy of the region.

The farms are part of the country's Coffee Circuit, which is being developed by the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) and the Center for Competitiveness of the Western Region (CECOMRO) to enhance the economic activity of the region and publicize the extraordinary biodiversity of the area. The initiative hopes to include up to 42 farms when completed.

All types of travelers, from families to nature lovers and adventurers, are welcome to explore the coffee farms found in the three main regions of the Chiriquí Highlands: Tierras Altas, which includes Volcán, Bambito and Cerro Punta; as well as Renacimiento and Boquete. The 15 coffee farms that are active to offer distinctive tourist experiences are as follows:

Highlands, Chiriquí:

• Finca Candela:  Take an interesting tour of the coffee plantation and witness the transformation process of the coffee fruit into coffee beans.
• Finca Ceriana:  Choose from five experiences, including guided tours of coffee farms, horseback riding, elegant picnics, hiking, flora viewing, and access to more than 204 species of birds.
• Finca Don Lara:  Take a guided tour of the farm, offered by the owner himself, and learn about the coffee varieties available in the region and, depending on the season, participate in the farm's coffee harvest.
• Finca Janson:  Enjoy the natural paradise of the highest alpine lakes in Panama and enjoy a world-class destination for bird watching established as a nature reserve overlooking the Barú Volcano, all while enjoying world-class varieties of coffee .

Renaissance, Chiriquí:

• Finca Café Eleta:  Take a guided tour of the farm and taste a special coffee very close to La Amistad International Park (PILA), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its rich and abundant biodiversity.
• APRE:  The Renacimiento Producers Association (APRE) is an association of 75 member farms located in Renacimiento, where local farms are assisted to process and distribute their coffee nationally and internationally. Although the association does not offer guided tours, it does help organize them.

Boquete, Chiriquí:

• Boquete Tree Trek:  Choose between a guided tour of the farm, a coffee tasting or a special tea tour unique in Central America, or the ultimate adventure with one of the farm's 12 zip lines or its six hanging bridges.
• Kotowa Finca Cristal Coffee:  Immerse yourself in the Geisha coffee process or visit the estate's two-decade-old rum cellar. Nature lovers can also experience the hanging bridges trail and zip line.
• Café Ruiz:  Choose from several packages at the compact, century-old coffee farm, where you can learn about artisanal processes and the history of coffee, the community, as well as sustainability and biodiversity efforts.
• Finca Don Pepe:  Tour the oldest farm in the region, founded in 1898 by the Vásquez family, known for creating incredible varieties of coffee such as Geishas, ​​Caturra, Catuai, Pacamara, Borbón, Typica and Java, which you can taste and buy right there .
• Elida Farm:  Witness the farm's expansive views by taking a tour of the family's Geisha property and processing plant, best known for hosting the world's most expensive coffee for two years in a row, as well as sourcing coffee with the highest score in the "Best of Panama" so far.
• Finca La Milagrosa:  With coffee in hand, take a tour of the various plantations and discover how the farm uses recycled car and computer parts to create its own coffee roaster machines.
• Finca Lérida:  Tour the first farm that exported and introduced Panamanian coffee to Germany in 1929, taking a close look at all aspects of the coffee production process. The farm even offers the possibility of spending the night.
• Finca Princesa Janca:  Enjoy a walk around the property and a coffee tasting session or explore the farm's museum, which documents the family's rich history in relation to Panamanian coffee and politics.
• Hacienda Mamecillo:  Choose from various activities, from coffee tasting and guided tours of the farm's vegetable nursery, to mountain biking, rappelling, and nature hiking to discover five waterfalls, 300-year-old trees, and a unique biodiversity.

Although the roots of coffee run deep in the Highlands of the Chiriquí province, the area is also known as the land of flowers: a place where mountaineers, bird watchers, and travelers are passionate about indigenous culture and natural attractions They can participate in numerous experiences of the three heritages of Panama: Green (nature), Blue (oceans) and Cultural. Visitors can explore La Amistad International Park, which has more than 600 species of birds; visit the Ngäbe and the Buglé, two of the seven indigenous communities in Panama; or take an excursion to the highest peak in Panama, the Barú Volcano.

Panama is open to international visitors since October 2020. Those wishing to visit the Chiriquí province can reach the Highlands by road (a 7-hour drive from Panama City) or take a short domestic flight (less than a hour) to David, Chiriquí, followed by a 45-minute road trip to Boquete or Tierras Altas.

To learn more about the highland region of Panama and the coffee culture, visit: discover.visitpanama.com/coffee.