CAPTIVATING PANAMA CAPSTONES : TOURISM 2023. {26}

 

Boquete, Panama : A slope side nirvana for coffee geeks, waterfall hikers and white-water rafters Geisha, among the world's most expensive coffee varietals, thrives on the slopes of the Baru Volcano, near Panama's western border.

In recent years, especially coffee geeks the world over have gravitated here, encouraging coffee farms around the highland town of Boquete to act more like Bordeaux vine-yards.

New cupping rooms and bodega tours have been added at farms like Lamastus Family Estates, Chevas Coffee Estate and Finca Lerida and Panamonte - have updated their facilities.

In Boquete's town center, which acts as a base for adventurous activities like waterfall hikes and white-water rafting, the noted Panama city chef Merio Castrellllon has opened a branch of coffee roaster Cafe Unido, as well as restaurant and bar with seasonal menus and Geisha-infused cocktails, in the new Selina hostel.

The bold 60-room property straddles a small river, with rooms ranging brom beds in concrete cylinders to luxe suits. [ Nicholas Gill ].