panama coffee tour

THE 5 BEST Panama Coffee & Tea Tours

Coffee & tea tours in panama.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Coffee & Tea Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. The 'Real' Panamanian Private Food Tour

2. Small Group Coffee Tour (Minimum 2 people)

3. Coffee Tasting & Tea Ceremony in Bohemian El Cangrejo

4. Foodie Neighborhood Walking Tour in Panama

5. Food and Drinks Hopping Tour in Panama City

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Panama , See · August 19, 2023

How To Take a Coffee Tour in Boquete, Panama (Complete Guide)

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One of the biggest reasons we took a family vacation to Panama was to take a coffee tour in Boquete, Panama.

That may seem like a crazy reason to visit a country, but my brother-in-law and sister invested in a coffee farm in Boquete. Understandably, they wanted to see their investment in the field. You don’t have to invest in a coffee farm to be interested in taking a coffee tour in Boquete, Panama though. In fact, it’s one of the top activities to do in the region.

As coffee enthusiasts, we loved learning the history and process of growing coffee, something we knew little about before this experience. I certainly gained a new appreciation for all that goes into a delicious cup of coffee each morning after taking a coffee plantation tour in Boquete.

If you’re interested in taking a coffee tour in Boquete, Panama here’s everything you need to know about the experience. From where to book a tour, what to bring, and what to expect.

The best place for a coffee plantation tour in Panama

Latin America has long been revered for its coffee-growing abilities. As of 2023, Latin America grows around 50% of all coffee globally each year.

It’s not a huge surprise considering coffee grows in almost any area that has a warm tropical climate. But quality coffee needs elevation and nutrient-rich soil to thrive. Two things the mountains of Chiriqui have in large quantities.

Most people are familiar with Costa Rican coffee (which makes up around 1% of globally produced coffee). But few people realize Chiriqui, where the majority of Panamanian coffee hails from, is just an hour and a half from the Costa Rican border.

The similar growing climate makes it a perfect place to grow coffee. This is due to the rich volcanic soil in this region and Chiriqui’s position between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The areas surrounding Boquete and Volcan (about a 2 hours drive from Boquete) have the largest concentration of coffee fincas in the country. The abundance of coffee plantations makes Boquete a clear winner for taking a coffee tour in Panama.

The history of Panama coffee

Until recently, Panama was often outshined by its neighbors Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peru who produce the bulk of Latin American coffee. But today, Panama is world-renowned for growing far superior, tastier coffee than most of its Latin American counterparts. ☕️

We need to explore its history to understand how Panama became a world-famous coffee-growing region. Coffee was introduced to this region in the 19th century by European immigrants. The beans are mostly Arabica beans and have done incredibly well since their first introduction to Chiriqui.

Arabica coffee is known for being dark, bold roasts (my favorite), with diverse tasting notes depending on the varietal. Since Boquete has a unique microclimate that includes lots of rain, high elevation, and cooler temperatures, it’s perfect for growing specialty varietals including like:

While these varietals are amazing (and worth trying on a trip to Boquete), the Geisha bean is what made Panama world-famous. This varietal hails from Gesha, Ethiopia, and was introduced to Panama in the 1960s.

☕️ The Geisha bean tastes more like tea than an Arabica coffee. It’s subtle in color, soft on the palate, and has floral notes with hints of citrus fruit. It’s absolutely delicious and something you have to try when visiting here.

Panama created the Speciality Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) in the 1990s, entering its Geisha varietal into competitions. After winning several awards for the Geisha beans’ uniqueness and quality, Panamanian Geisha is now one of the most expensive coffees in the world.

For reference, a bag of Geisha coffee grown in Panama can cost a consumer around $30 to $40 or more for an 11-ounce bag. Expect a single glass of Geisha coffee to cost around $10 to $12 USD. Green unroasted beans, some coffee buyers have paid upwards of $4,000 for a single pound of Geisha beans. 😳

While Geisha helped Panama get on the map as a world-class coffee producer it’s not the only reason it stayed there. Year after year, Panama continues to win awards for its different varietals.

The best coffee tour in Boquete

There really isn’t a single best coffee tour in Boquete. There are many different fincas, or plantations, you can visit within a 10 to 20-minute drive of Boquete town center that will give you a great understanding of the coffee growing process.

However, some of the more popular coffee tours in Boquete are below:

• Finca Lerida  – $35 USD per person (as of 2023). This is also a gorgeous hotel.
• Cafes de La Luna ( Finca Dos Jefes ) – $30 – $35 USD per person depending on the tour selected.
• Finca Casanga  – $35 USD per person (as of 2023).
• Finca Dos Pepes – $30 USD per person (as of 2023).
• Damarli Estate – Price not listed. Contact them on their site to learn more.

Looking for more fun tours in Panama? Check out some of the most popular tours here.

When is the best time to go on a coffee tour in Boquete?

You can go on a coffee tour in Boquete, Panama any time of year. But if you’re looking for lush green trees filled with red ripe berries it’s best to go between late November to February (Panama’s dry season).

If you’re coming to Boquete in October or early November be ready for the most glorious smell lofting across the region thanks to the coffee blooms. These flowers are reminiscent of jasmine and have the most incredible scent.

We went during the rainy season (April – October) and enjoyed the experience. Although, you should definitely pack a rain jacket and wear mud-safe shoes. There’s a good chance if you visit in the rainy season you’ll get rained on during the tour!

What to expect on a coffee plantation tour in Panama

We took our coffee tour with AgroNosotros , a private coffee and chocolate company that owns over 800 acres of coffee and chocolate plantations across Panama and parts of Belize. Since my sister and brother-in-law are invested in the company, we were able to take a private tour at one of their sixteen fincas .

The farm we visited was about a 15-minute drive from Boquete downtown. We had to take a series of windy roads to a remote farm high up in the mountains of Chiriqui. We were shocked that it took roughly 5 minutes before we started to see coffee trees in every direction. What shocked us even was seeing how quickly this area gains elevation.

The tour began by walking the coffee farm. Our guide, Andres, offered us a walking stick to traverse the very steep terrain here. I wasn’t sure if I would need it since I’m a very experienced and able hiker. But I was certainly glad I had it as we got into muddy and steep sections of the trail.

Andres explained the coffee growing process from sapling to production. We saw some workers who reside on the farm in company-provided housing, preparing the soil for planting new saplings.

He explained the rich and dark color of the soil was from volcanic activity. This high-mineral soil needs little to no amendments and is abundant in nutrients vital to growing food and other crops like coffee.

The saplings are planted in succession allowing them to harvest plants consistently over longer periods. They are monitored for pests and sometimes trimmed or treated with supplemental nutrients or pest control to ensure they reach maturity. It can take a year to five years for a coffee plant to start producing coffee.

Andres shared how quickly a plant produces depends on the amount of rainfall, the average temperature, sun exposure, and other microclimate impacts in the years after the saplings are planted.

For example, when we visited Panama it was experiencing a Super El Niño , an extremely dry weather pattern with cooler temperatures. Andres adjusted his planting schedule to factor in this dryer season on the farm.

Every plant looks a bit different. Certain varietals will have larger leaves with different shapes to them than others. Other varietals will produce larger beans compared to smaller ones on other plants. Our guide continued to point them out to us and we were surprised by how quickly we could identify each plant.

The red coffee fruits are harvested from mature trees between December and March. The fruits are picked daily based on ripeness and are then sent to be processed at an offsite facility.

AgroNosotros has in-house machines to help sort the beans by size, and washing the beans (removing the husks) can be done mechanically or naturally. Once the beans are washed they are dried and then re-tested for consistent quality.

That’s when the beans are bagged and set to age anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on the varietal in a humidity and temperature-controlled area. Some coffee farms will roast the beans in-house selling it directly to consumers. But most sell green beans (unroasted) to global buyers.

The primary goal of AgroNosotros was to sell green unroasted beans, but it now has a coffee shop, The Perfect Pair in Boquete. Which roasts select varietals making them available for purchase under its coffee brand, Cuatro Caminos.

Is Panamanian coffee good?

After we toured the farm we returned to The Perfect Pair for a coffee tasting. Unsurprisingly, this was our favorite part! We loved getting to taste different varietals from our skilled Barista, Ruben. We were blown away by Panamanian coffee. It’s not just good, but incredible!

How the coffee is brewed is equally important as how the beans are grown and roasted with specialty coffees.

A skilled barista like Ruben can extract flavors in the cup by using tools like the coarseness and consistency of the grind, the temperature and ratio of water to the ground beans, how the water is poured on the grounds, and the amount of time applied for the brewing process.

Through the varying skills and techniques used by the barista, a whole spectrum of flavors can appear from floral to chemical and anywhere between.

Ruben made us several different coffees to try using a copper pour-over and ceramic V60 with three different beans. We couldn’t believe the different flavor profiles between each. You need a side-by-side comparison between the beans and the brewing process to really appreciate this.

We had an absolute blast on our coffee tour in Boquete, Panama, and encourage anyone visiting this area to experience it themselves. Hopefully, this guide helped you understand what to expect on a coffee tour in Boquete, learn where to book a tour and learn more about Panama’s unique coffee history.

CHECK OUT MY OTHER BOQUETE PANAMA GUIDES

• Caldera Hot Springs: A Must-Do Activity Near Boquete Panama – One of our favorite activities from our entire trip.
• Your Guide to Hiking El Pianista Trail in Boquete, Panama  – A great hiking guide if you want to venture into a cloud forest.
• A Complete Guide to Hiking The Lost Waterfalls Trail – A great hiking guide for one of the top hikes in Boquete.
• 10 Must-Do Activities in Boquete, Panama – The perfect travel bucket list to help you plan your vacation in Boquete.

Get on the List

About Liz Brumer-Smith

One-half of the Eat See RV team. I'm the face you'll find in most videos and the main author of our blog. If I'm not vlogging or writing you can probably find me reading a good book, hanging with friends and family, relaxing near water, eating something tasty, or savoring kitty cuddles.

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How to take the ultimate coffee trip through panama.

Coffee is something most of us take for granted. It shows up in our cups every morning, whether we take the time to grind our own beans or simply order the usual from a local cafe. But when you see the effort and care that goes into growing, harvesting, drying, and roasting coffee, it opens your eyes to how precious a simple cup actually is. Making a pilgrimage to the source during harvest will deepen your respect for the drink that gets you up every morning, and there’s no better place to see the process first hand than Panama .

Compared to other countries, Panama’s coffee production is small but mighty. The country’s output is billions of pounds less than places like Brazil and Colombia , yet many of the estates are still owned by families who do things the right way. They hand-pick the coffee cherries and care about the ecosystem, making strides to protect the environment around them. Panama is also home to the Geisha bean, which is one of the best and most expensive in the world. The combination of family farms and world-class coffee beans is more than enough to earn a spot on any coffee lover’s travel wish list. Here’s every place you need to visit to get your caffeine fix, along with the best places to stay and eat along the way.

Start your journey in Panama City.

Photo: Gualberto Becerra /Shutterstock

Although the best coffee farms to visit are in the Chiriquí Province, your trip will likely start in Panama City when you fly into the country. Take an extra day or so to enjoy this vibrant metropolis, which has a number of excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels to enjoy.

Where to stay: You’ll find chic and comfortable accommodations at an affordable price at The Bristol . If you have the budget, spring for a tower executive room, which comes complete with a big shower and grand soaking tub. An outdoor pool and spa are there for when you need to relax before or after your adventures, and there’s a quick on-site restaurant, Salsipuedes, for breakfast before heading out.

Photo: Leto, Coffee Brew Bar /Facebook

Where to get a cup of coffee: There are, naturally, excellent coffee shops in Panama City where you can get your first taste of Panamanian beans. Mentiritas Blancas serves expertly made Geisha coffee pour-overs and some of the best baked goods in the city. Leto , situated in Panama City’s bustling San Francisco neighborhood, is the place to go for pour-overs and coffees made with an Aeropress, Chemex, and siphon, as well as for drinks like cappuccinos and matcha lattes.

Where to eat: There’s no shortage of excellent restaurants in Panama City, so come with a hearty appetite. Maito is a must-visit and was recognized as one of Latin America’s best restaurants by World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Here, chef Mario Castrellón experiments with classic Panamanian flavors and local ingredients to create a diverse menu of modern plates — think coconut octopus wontons and black rice with chorizo and conch.

Getting to the coffee farms in Chiriquí Province

The drive from Panama City to Chiriquí is about eight hours. A much easier way to get there is to take a 40-minute flight from Albrook Airport in Panama City, which is a hub for regional travel, and land in Enrique Malek International Airport in the city of David, the capital of Chiriquí. From there, you’ll need to rent a car to drive to Boquete and Volcán to visit the coffee estates.

Your coffee experience in Boquete

Start your journey in Boquete, which is a little more built up than Volcán, to get acquainted with the region. There are a few wonderful coffee farms to visit, but make appointments because most of them don’t take walk-ins.

Photo: Amanda Gabriele

Coffee estates to visit: First, stop at Elida Estate , which has been owned by the Lamastus family since 1918. The 65-hectare farm grows Geisha, Arabica, and Catuai coffee varieties and is located in the Volcan Baru National Park, a protected ecological reserve. Booking the Tour “La Torre” to explore the high elevations of Elida Estate by car and take in sweeping views of the plantation. On the way back to the mill, you’ll get a cup of Geisha coffee in the beautiful, modern shop. Next, pay a visit to Finca Dos Jefes , a seven-acre farm that produces Cafés de la Luna coffee. Here, beans are organically grown in conjunction with the moon phases before being naturally processed and roasted on site. Finca Dos Jefes’ immersive tour starts with a walking tour of the farm, moves to coffee tasting, and concludes with a hands-on roasting experience.

Where to eat: Boquete has a sizable expat community, and the food is just as diverse as the people. One great example of this is Colibrí , a restaurant serving globally inspired cuisine from a Colombian and Italian who fell in love with Panama during their travels. The menu has everything from shrimp ceviche marinated in passionfruit to a lamb burger with local goat cheese. Don’t miss the Geisha coffee tiramisu for dessert. Seafood lovers should pay a visit to Boquete Fish House Restaurant , which is situated on a little river. The sea bass, fish and chips, and prawns are all winners here, but your best bet is to order off the board of daily specials.

Photo: Coffee Estate Inn /Facebook

Where to stay: When it comes time to rest your head, there are an ample amount of comfortable options in Boquete. At La Montaña y El Valle Coffee Estate Inn , not only will you experience spacious rooms with heated floors and expansive decks with views of the Baru Volcano, but you can also participate in the roasting process of the hotel’s own estate-grown coffee. Finca Lerida is another gorgeous Boquete hotel with rooms that have luxurious bathrooms, in-room espresso machines, fireplaces, and terraces complete with hammocks. Guests can enjoy coffee tours of the hotel’s plantation, bird watching, and hiking through the expansive grounds. Don’t miss a meal at hotel restaurant La Brulerie, which makes homemade bread, pasta, soups, and jams from fruit grown on site.

Your coffee experience in Volcán

The town of Volcán, which is located in Chiriquí’s Tierras Altas district, is about a two-hour drive from Boquete. Volcán is across the Baru Volcano from Boquete, and you have to drive around it to get there. Just like in Boquete, it’s best to make advance appointments for any coffee estates you want to visit.

Photo: La Cosecha

Coffee estates to visit: First, stop at the sprawling Ninety Plus Coffee Farm , a 450-acre estate run by founder Joseph Brodsky. His whole philosophy stems around “leaving coffee better than he found it” by committing to canopy and restoration ecology. The bumpy ride through the farm’s mountainous terrain is worth it for the relaxed coffee tasting on a patio overlooking Ninety Plus’s grounds.

Carmen Estate Coffee is also a must-visit when in Volcán. The brand has been producing high-quality Arabica coffee for more than 50 years, and visitors can see how the coffee cherries are harvested, watch a roasting demo, and see how the beans are packed for shipping. Janson Coffee Farm is an especially fun place to visit in Volcán. Not only can you tour the coffee estate, but Lagunas Adventures has also partnered with Janson to offer activities like horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, and birding. If you’d like to continue on your nature journey, pay a visit to Haras Cerro Punta . This gorgeous estate has been breeding thoroughbred racehorses for generations, and it’s worth it to take a tour for the scenery alone. There, you can also sample a cup of Eleta Coffee , which is grown by the same family on their farm near the border of Costa Rica.

Where to eat: Cerro Brujo Gourmet is one of the best places to dine in Panama. Chef Patricia Miranda infuses Panamanian cuisine with worldly flavors and uses herbs and vegetables grown in her own garden. For lunch, we feasted on eggplant filled with boda (a palm flower that is similar in look and taste to baby corn), a fresh green salad with daikon and strawberries, mashed malanga (a root vegetable similar to taro), and seven-hour roasted pork. Call ahead because Cerro Brujo doesn’t always keep normal hours. If you’re looking for a quick, casual meal, visit Aqui Va La Niña . This covered outdoor restaurant is basically a food truck that serves mouthwatering burgers, wings, ceviche, and tamal de olla , a Panamanian-style tamale. If you’re lucky, a local band will be playing some live music while you dine.

Photo: Casa Grande Bambito /Facebook

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How to Go on a Coffee Tour in Boquete, Panama

A small mountainous town at the base of a volcano, Boquete is an ideal location for growing coffee plants. Due to its microclimate, high elevation, and nutrient-rich volcanic soil, this area thrives in production and is home to almost half of the country’s coffee farms. A coffee tour is one of the best things to do in Boquete and a must for all coffee lovers. Even if you don’t drink coffee, like me, this is an informative and interactive tour, and you can try the tea made from its berry. To enhance your coffee plantation experience, combine it with a panoramic tour for a great half-day tour of Boquete.

Thinking about going on a panoramic & coffee tour in Boquete? Here is my honest review of the panoramic & coffee tour with Full Adventures Boquete. 

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Full Adventures Boquete. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Table of Contents

Coffee Tour in Boquete, Panama

Home to almost 2000 coffee plantations, the people of Boquete know their coffee. Of the 400 kinds of coffee berries grown worldwide, you can find 50 of those varieties grown in Boquete. Each year from November to March, the berries are hand-picked from the plants and processed. 

During your coffee tour in Boquete, you will learn all about coffee, coffee production and processing, and have a great coffee tasting of the different types offered at the farm. Your guide will break down misconceptions about coffee, inform you about different coffees around the world, and teach you what makes Panamanian coffee special. 

Is Coffee From Panama Good?

Panama is recognized for producing high-quality coffee, producing 1% of the world’s coffee supply. The best Panamanian coffee is grown in Boquete and is loved for its flavour profile.

What Does Panama Coffee Taste Like? 

Coffee from Panama tastes well-balanced, with hints of fruit and dark cocoa. Its fragrance is intense and sweet, with notes of a jasmine-like aroma. The popular Geisha variety is known for its floral and fruity taste, nothing like when you think of coffee.

What Makes Geisha Coffee Special?

Unlike any other coffee in the world, Geisha coffee is what made the Boquete region well-known and is considered some of the best coffee in the world. Aromatic with a distinctive flavour profile, Geisha brew has a fruity flavour, ranging from berry to citrusy and even mango, peach, or bergamot. 

Since being created in 2004, Geisha has quickly gained popularity and status, taking a worldwide stage. This high-quality, sought-after coffee comes with a high price tag, selling from hundreds to thousands of dollars per pound, making it some of the most expensive coffee in the world . With its high price, Geisha is often enjoyed on special occasions rather than as an everyday cup of java.

About Full Adventures Boquete 

Full Adventures Boquete is a tour operator in Boquete, offering and organizing a variety of adventure activities: including horseback riding, white water rafting, nature hikes, coffee tours, and more. The owner Jeimy is very kind, and her staff are very knowledgeable.

Location 

Full Adventures Boquete is located in downtown Boquete on the main highway that passes through this small town. Their shop is next to Big Daddy’s Grill and has a large sign out front that lists some of the adventure activities they offer.

Address: QHG8+6X4, Vía Boquete, Bajo Boquete, Panama

The Scenery

Located in northwest Panama in the Chiriqui Highlands, Boquete is a small town at the base of Volcan Baru. At 1200 m above sea level, you will be up in the cloud forest and experience cooler temperatures than the mainland. During your tour, you will see scenic views of the rolling mountains.

Panoramic & Coffee Tour with Full Adventures Boquete

Here is what it’s like going on the half-day panoramic and coffee tour with Full Adventures Boquete: 

After meeting at the office, we got in the car and started our panoramic and coffee tour. Our guide Felix was friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. We right away knew that we were going to get along well and have a great experience. 

Panoramic Tour 

Still tired from our sunrise jeep tour the day before, our guide modified our private panoramic tour into a scenic drive through the mountain to show us the best views of Boquete from different angles. At every scenic lookout, we would pause and jump out of the car to take photos and admire the view. While driving, Felix shared with us some of the region’s history and answered any curiosities about Boquete we had. 

Our first official stop of the panoramic tour was a coffee shop with the best view in all of Boquete. We arrived just as the cafe was opening, excited to sit on the balcony overlooking the valley below. We ordered a coffee, a cappuccino, and hot chocolate. After finishing our drinks and soaking in the incredible views as long as possible, it’s time to head to the farm for our Boquete coffee tour.

Coffee Tour 

We toured award-winning Finca La Milagrosa , also known as the Miracle Farm. Upon arriving for our tour and tasting, we started outside to learn about the plants. Our guide picked fresh berries for us to sample. To our surprise, the berry tasted nothing like the end product of coffee. Instead, it was fruity. Each berry had a different shape and a different taste. Even the flowers of the plant smelled pleasant.

Learn what goes into coffee production and 4-months of processing, from the berry on the tree to the drinkable product. See the innovative ways that this small family-run farm’s hand-created machines assist them in processing while still keeping a hands-on approach to their specialty coffee. You will be able to learn and taste what makes Panamanian coffee special. 

Watch the beans hand-roast in front of you as you wait for your coffee to be ready. During the tasting portion, you will sample five products: an arabica washed, arabica natural, geisha washed, geisha natural, and a tea made from the coffee berry. The geisha natural was P’s and our tour guide Felix’s favourite variety. Each one had a unique taste and smelled pleasant, different from coffee back home. I enjoyed the tea as it was unlike anything I’d tasted before.

After the tasting, we bought coffee and tea to bring home, finishing our half-day tour. 

Tips for the Panoramic & Coffee Tour 

• Bring cash with you to purchase coffee from the farm. There is no debit machine at the farm. If you do not have money on you, Full Adventures Boquete will accept credit cards via their payment machine at their shop for coffee purchases, which is what I did to buy bags of coffee and tea.
• Wear sunscreen and bug spray. You will be mostly outside during your tour.
• Visit during the harvest season to see the production line and processing machines in busy operation (November-March). For a more quiet/private tour, go outside of harvest time. We visited in October when machines were being repaired to prep for the harvest and had the farm to ourselves.

Panoramic & Coffee Tour with Full Adventures Boquete: Final Thoughts 

I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the coffee tour, even as a non-coffee drinker. Jeimy convinced me to go, and I’m glad she did. While I didn’t drink any coffee, the experience was enjoyable and educational, from learning Boquete’s history to the process of making coffee and misconceptions of coffee from around the world. I recommend doing the panoramic & coffee tour with Full Adventures Boquete.

To learn more about Full Adventures Boquete, and book your panoramic & coffee tour adventure, visit their website or their social media .

I hope this information helps you plan your Panama coffee tour with Full Adventures Boquete.  

Happy travelling!

Related Posts – Panama

• Sunrise at Volcan Baru National Park, Boquete
• Scuba Diving in Bocas del Toro with La Buga
• 20 Things to Do in Bocas
• Staying at La Selva, Bocas del Toro
• Staying at Casa Acuario, Bocas del Toro
• 7 Days in Panama: Itinerary
• Casco Viejo Panama Walking Tours
• How to Get Around Panama
• Where to Visit in Panama
• Hike Cerro Cara Iguana: El Valle

Melissa is the founder of My Beautiful Passport. A Canadian who has explored 15+ countries on 4 continents, she enjoys combining adventure and affordable luxury. Through sharing her own experiences, travel tips, and destination itineraries, she helps others plan their unique adventures whether it be at the beach, in the city, or in the mountains.

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Coffee beans

Panama Coffee Tours

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World’s best coffee in this tiny locale

A sensory journey - exploring Panama's coffee culture.

Your coffee adventure begins in Boquete, nestled in the picturesque Chiriquí Highlands . This charming mountain town is considered the coffee capital of Panama, boasting an ideal climate and volcanic soil that nurture some of the finest Arabica coffee beans in the world. Wander through the meticulously manicured coffee plantations, where the air is infused with the enchanting fragrance of coffee blooms.

The journey begins at the coffee fields, where you'll witness the meticulous process of harvesting ripe coffee cherries by hand. Engage with local farmers, learn about their time-honoured techniques, and understand the dedication that goes into cultivating each bean. Follow the beans' path through the post-harvest process, from pulping to drying, and gain insight into how each step impacts the coffee's final flavour profile.

Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary experience as you partake in coffee-tasting and cupping sessions. Savvy baristas and coffee experts will guide you through the art of cupping, teaching you to discern the subtle nuances of different coffee varieties.

Beyond the beans, immerse yourself in the cultural aspect of Panama's coffee heritage by engaging in conversations with locals. Learn all about the integral role coffee plays in their traditions and way of life. Many coffee estates in the country prioritize eco-friendly farming methods, protecting the environment while ensuring the quality of their coffee. By participating in coffee tours that support sustainable practices, you actively contribute to the preservation of Panama's precious ecosystems and communities.

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• Café Ruiz Coffee Tour

From Bean to Cup: Get the Full Scoop on Boquete Coffee

Café ruiz coffee tour overview.

From $50 per person

Couples Groups

One of the best coffee houses in Panama, your coffee expert at Café Ruiz will guide you the wonderful world of coffee in Boquete. You will learn about the history of coffee in the region and its importance to its people, take a look at coffee trees and what is required to make a Café Ruiz coffee, and finish up with a tour of the roasting plant and a professional coffee tasting. The 3-hour tour ends as you sit back and enjoy pairings with Café Ruiz’s best brands and explore the Casa’s coffee shop.

Includes: bilingual coffee guide, hotel pick-up/drop-off, tour and tasting

Every itinerary includes:

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Panama Hiker

Outdoor Adventures Specialist

COFFEE TOUR: FINCA LA MILAGROSA

We are proud to introduce our coffee tour offering the opportunity to taste an excellent cup of SPECIAL coffee . Our coffee tour you will  learn all about  the coffee process ¨from seed to cup¨ .

Our farm obtained second place for the best coffee in Panama and every year we are among the top 10.

It takes about 3 hours and all the processes are artesanal. 

Boquete is famous for its coffee which is known as the most expensive in the world every year. Boquete competes with other countries and Panama is always the first place.

PRICE: $40.00 P.P.

LÉRIDA COFFEE ESTATE

Over a century of history.

It all began in 1911 when Toleff Bache Mönniche, a Norwegian engineer and graduate of the Royal College of Dresden, Germany, traveled to the Highlands of Chiriquí. He sailed along the Pacific coast for 7 days and rode uphill for hours to reach a place that is still unique in the world today: Lérida Coffee Farm. A magical space amidst the immense slopes of Volcán Barú and the high ridges of the Central Mountain Range.

In 1924, engineer Mönniche finally retired from the Panama Canal and, together with his wife Julia, moved to Lérida Coffee Farm, where he hand-built his house in a Norwegian rural style and established the first gravity-fed coffee plantation in Panama.

We are a team of 40 collaborators, mostly locals, who work tirelessly to deliver the highest quality. Our true potential is reflected in the professionalism of each team member and their daily dedication. From the culinary department to activities such as birdwatching, we take pride in warmly welcoming our guests from the very moment they arrive.

HOUSE BLEND COFFEE

Our primary focus in coffee cultivation revolves around specialty varieties, with Geisha being our most prominent export. Additionally, we cultivate other varieties such as Pacamara, Catuaí, and Typica, among others. At present, we are actively introducing and cultivating new coffee varieties in the upper section of our farm.

We employ three different processing methods: washed, honey, and natural. Additionally, we offer medium, light, and extra-light roasts, depending on the specific variety of coffee bean.

More Special Moments to Collect

Let yourself be carried away by our program, and enjoy the events we have in store for you here at Finca Lérida throughout the year.

COFFEE TASTING

In our special coffee tasting, you will have the opportunity to sample some of its varieties and learn to distinguish between different flavor profiles. We will also provide you with tips for brewing a great cup of coffee, covering topics such as water temperature, brewing time, roast level, grind size, and various brewing methods including drip coffee, French press, pour-over, and boiling.

After this tasting, no cup of coffee will ever taste the same again!

COFFEE SHOP

Shop lérida.

Honey Coffee

Finca Lérida Honey Coffee is a delightful and exquisite coffee variety cultivated on the beautiful Lérida estate, situated in the highlands of Panama.

La Brulerie Gift Certificate

The Gift Certificate for La Brûlerie Restaurant at Finca Lérida is a culinary gift that invites you to delight the palate with a unique gastronomic experience in the heart of the highlands of Panama.

$ 50.00

Coffee Tour Gift Certificate

The Finca Lérida Coffee Tour Gift Certificate is a passport to immerse oneself in the fascinating world of coffee at one of Panama’s most prestigious estates.

$ 35.00

Lodging Gift Certificate Week Days

The Finca Lérida Lodging Gift Certificate is the perfect invitation to an unforgettable experience in Panama’s natural paradise.

$ 258.00 – $ 358.00

Lodging Gift Certificate Weekend

$ 308.00 – $ 428.00

Strawberry Jam

Finca Lérida Strawberry Jam is an authentic delight that captures the freshness and charm of Panama’s highlands.

Alto Quiel, Boquete, Chiriquí – Panamá

+507(833) 7598 (Panama Direct)

+1855-546-5272 (Toll Free US & Canada)

[email protected]

• Central America
• Guide Visiting Coffee Plantations Boquete...

A Guide to Visiting the Coffee Plantations in Boquete, Panama

The best coffee in the world is produced on coffee farms in Boquete , Panama. Along with the farms are processing plants and tasting facilities with coffee tours welcoming visitors from all over the world. Finca La Milagrosa is one of the most respected producers of Panama ’s 100 percent organic, exclusive specialty coffee .

The rarest, most sought-after, expensive coffee bean called Geisha comes from Panama. Originally known as Esmeralda Boquete Geisha, the Panama Esmeralda Private Reserve Geisha grows on the slopes of the Barú Volcano near Boquete in Panama. It sells for a whopping $140 per pound at international coffee auctions.

It comes as no surprise that Boquete is known as the Bordeaux of coffee . The special soil in Boquete is enriched with volcanic ash combined with the cool mountain air, making it perfect for growing coffee.

The Geisha bean originates from the rain forests of Ethiopia. It did not make its way to the Americas until the 1950s. A farmer by the name of Don Pachi imported the specialty coffee to Panama in the 1960s. His family still owns a plantation in Boquete today.

When visiting the amazing coffee farms of Boquete, be sure to see the most incredible plantations including Finca La Valentina, the Don Pachi Estate, and the Hacienda La Esmeralda. Also on the list of coffee farm destinations to visit include Finca Lerida, Finca Dos Jefes, Kotowa Estates, and Café Ruiz.

Each of the coffee farms has its own unique tour and includes tasting and hands-on experience. Some of the tours are as long as several hours in length, and others are extremely strict about their coffee. The strictness can result in participants needing to come without any scent, be it perfume, lotion, or even sunblock, if it omits an odor that can affect the complexity of the delicate coffee beans.

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Coffee: the Pride of Panamá

Panamanian coffee is experiencing a meteoric boom. Discover the mountains and farms that cultivate and roast one of the best-ranked coffees in the world in the districts of Tierras Altas and Boquete . Get to know the processes and people that have achieved the highest standards in the coffee industry and immerse yourself with all your senses in the incredible Panamanian coffee culture.

Coffee Destination

Panamá has a privileged geographical location and the mountains of this area have even more special conditions.

Soils enriched with volcanic minerals, and a humid environment due to the influence of both oceans, appropriate climatic conditions and, above all, vast experience in planting, harvesting and processing. 

The result could not be better: the production of Geisha coffee, the world's most sought-after coffee variety, that has put the country’s name in world rankings.

The farms where this exquisite coffee is produced are located 1,000 to 2,100 meters (3,280 to 6,900 feet) above sea level. They offer the best landscapes in the country’s mountainous region, and are surrounded by natural reserves that add a unique charm to the experience. 

We are world leaders; Best of Panamá (BOP) is an international auction where Geisha coffee and other varietals that have wowed the experts are catalogued and sold. In this auction, the best national and international juries gather to find the true value behind each cup, and the prices at which Panamanian coffee is sold in BOP continue to break world records.

Coffee Culture

Visit our coffee destinations for a better idea of coffee’s quality; above all, of the importance of the land and the hands that cultivate and process this crop.

Panamá’s certified coffee farms have joined together in the Coffee Circuit to offer quality tourist experiences. In their farms you can learn about the careful process behind a good cup of coffee: planting the best beans in the best soil, harvesting at the best time, peeling, washing, pre-drying, drying, aging, peeling again, classifying (by size, shape, density, color and defects), roasting, packing, grinding and filtering. Finally, enjoy the most exquisite cup of coffee, with an incredible view of the Highlands mountains.

The farms in the Coffee Circuit also offer experiences such as horseback riding, hiking , agrotourism , trout fishing, zip lines , hanging bridges, and a series of outdoor activities that will make your visit an unforgettable experience.

When you visit, you will also learn about the efforts to cultivate coffee sustainably and responsibly; the member farms of the Coffee Circuit have taken up this challenge and offer you different ecological visions. 

Another experience that you can have in our coffee farms is meting the Ngäbe-Buglé people, two of the seven indigenous communities in Panamá. They are the harvesting hands in this completely artisanal process, and the coffee farms are having an increasingly positive impact within the community.

No matter what season you come to our mountains, you can always book a tour that includes tasting and hiking in the farms.

If you go from December to March, during the harvest months, the coffee buds will be red and shiny. Then, you will see the landscape dotted with hundreds of workers who handpick each of the beans. It is quite an experience. 

If you come at the beginning of the rainy season, between March and April, you will enjoy a special sight: the foothills are covered with white flowers, as if the tropical mountains were covered in snow. And finally, if you come in the months of May to November, you will find the coffee plantations green and lush. 

Remember that you can find an excellent cup of coffee throughout the country. In Panama City , you can take a tasting tour with baristas specialized in Geisha coffee who will tell you about the best techniques to brew coffee and the importance of the cup’s presentation. 

This experience is not to be missed, whether in the middle of the city or in the mountains, immersed in history, modern architecture, nature, and immense biodiversity, where you will see and taste the efforts of the hundreds of people behind one of the best coffees in the world: Panamá coffee.

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Experience Panama’s Coffee Farming Tradition in the Chiriquí Highlands

A coffee circuit connects 15 farms that offer tours and tastings in what’s been called the “Napa Valley of coffee”

Jennifer Billock

Travel Correspondent

The top of Volcán Barú in western Panama is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to see both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans at the same time. But the spot, with regular rainfall and cloud cover, and nutrient-rich volcanic soil that is naturally good for drainage, is prized for another reason: coffee production. The area’s geisha variety , maintained and handpicked by the Indigenous Ngäbe and Buglé communities, is one of the priciest coffees in the world at more than $1,000 per pound unroasted.

“They [the Ngäbe and Buglé] are the ones most in contact with coffee over the last hundred years,” Diwigdi Valiente, a climate and Indigenous activist, told Travel + Leisure in 2021. “The reason the coffee is so expensive is because these farmers are doing all these things right. They’re listening to nature, they are listening to science, and they are also listening to people.”

Coffee first came to Panama in the early 1800s thanks to an English sea captain who brought plants with him when he married a Panamanian woman. At first, the coffee was planted along the coast, but locals soon learned that the microclimate of the Chiriquí Highlands at the base of Volcán Barú was perfect for the coffee to thrive. Coffee farms flourished from that point.

Though the country grows a comparatively small amount— 13 million pounds annually compared to Brazil’s five billion pounds—Panamanian coffee lovers consume more coffee per capita today than most coffee-producing countries. Still, much of the coffee is exported, and the farming of it has spawned a tourist activity. Established by t he Tourism Authority of Panama and the Center for Competitiveness of the Western Region in 2019, the ever-expanding Coffee Circuit connects 15 farms that offer tastings and tours of their fields and production facilities.

“All types of travelers, from families to nature lovers and adventurers, are welcomed to explore the coffee farms that are located in three main regions of the Chiriquí Highlands: Tierras Altas, which includes Volcan, Bambito and Cerro Punta; as well as Renacimiento and Boquete,” Promtur Panama, the official destination marketing organization for Panama, explained in a 2021 statement . The Chiriquí Highlands, after all, have been called the “Napa Valley of coffee.”

Here are five must-see farms:

Finca Lerida, Boquete

The world might not know about coffee from Panama if it weren’t for Finca Lerida . Norwegian engineer Toleff Bache Mönniche moved to the spot (about six miles uphill from Boquete, a small mountain town near the Costa Rica border) in 1924 with his wife, Julia, after he retired from years working on the Panama Canal. The couple built their home by hand and, that same year, started the coffee plantation. In 1929, Mönniche exported to Germany the very first shipment of Panamanian coffee to leave the country.

Today, the 900-acre Finca Lerida has a restaurant, a coffee shop and rooms to rent for overnight stays. The tour of the property starts in the coffee fields, to discuss the local terroir, and ends with a tasting of pacamara, catuai, caturra, typica and geisha varieties and a lesson on best practices for brewing a cup. Visitors follow trails ideal for birdwatching, with the local quetzal bird and more than 500 other bird species in the surrounding landscape.

Finca Café de Eleta, Renacimiento

Neighboring La Amistad International Park , a biodiverse Unesco World Heritage Site at the northwestern edge of Panama, Finca Café de Eleta has a responsibility to keep its coffee production environmentally safe. In 2003, the farm became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact , a volunteer-based initiative that focuses on sustainability, committing them to implementing and measuring sustainability initiatives. All of Finca Café de Eleta’s wastewater is treated organically and returned to the surrounding area, and solid waste gets composted and turned into fertilizer.

Finca Café de Eleta was first established in 1978 as a vegetable and sheep farm. The first coffee plants, of the catuaí variety, were planted in 1995. Now, the farm has more than 457 acres ranging in elevation from 3,937 to 4,921 feet, growing bourbon, catuaí, caturra, geisha, maragogype, pacamara and typica varieties of coffee. Tours through coffee plant nurseries and packaging processes last two hours. Visitors can add an hour-long tasting for an extra fee, or stay the night at the farm.

Lamastus Family Estates, Boquete

The three farms that make up the Lamastus Family Estates —Elida, El Burro and Luito Geisha—produce what’s considered some of the highest quality coffee in the world. Elida Estate is not only the highest in elevation of the three, but also the highest coffee farm in all of Panama, ranging from 5,200 to 8,500 feet above sea level. Coffee planting stops at 6,000 feet, though, due to Panamanian law; the remainder of Elida Estate is an ecological park within Volcán Barú National Park .

Elida started producing coffee in 1918. Due to the high altitude and cloudy rainforest environment, the beans are denser with a higher acidity than most coffees. Every coffee cherry (the coffee bean is the cherry’s seed) is handpicked by Indigenous Ngäbe and Buglé, which helps account for its higher-than-average price, up to $1,000 per pound green. During tours at Elida Estate , participants can pick coffee cherries, watch the coffee manufacturing process, taste tree tomatoes (a roma-tomato-sized fruit that grows on trees and tastes like under-ripe tomatoes), and do a coffee tasting with the farm’s owner, Wilford Lamastus, or his son, Wilford Lamastus Jr.

Janson Coffee Farm, Tierras Altas

At Janson Coffee Farm , which lines the slopes of the Tisingal and Barú volcanoes at about 5,000 feet elevation, producing coffee in harmony with the surrounding environment is the main goal. The team grows green tip geisha, catuaí, caturra and pacamara varieties in soil they manage with enzyme microorganisms to maintain the ideal nutrient level. None of the coffee at Janson is grown using pesticides or herbicides; the different plots are separated by steps of forest that both control pests and allow natural flora and fauna to flourish. The farm is powered by 400 solar panels, and all waste is processed to use as either fuel or fertilizer. The farm’s owners are also dedicated to reforestation, growing native seedlings in the nursery to replant outside the coffee fields.

Swedish farmer Carl Axel Janson first started the farm in 1941, raising cattle. When the second generation took over, they opened Janson Coffee Farm. Today, the coffee, now produced by the fourth Janson generation, regularly wins top marks in the Best of Panama and World Brewers Cup competitions. Tours of the farm provide an overview of the different varieties of coffee plants grown there as well as the coffee production process from start to finish, and include a visit to the estate and the nursery. A coffee tasting is an add-on.

Don Pepe Estate Coffee, Boquete

Don Pepe Estate Coffee in the Volcán Barú foothills opened in 1898, making it the oldest coffee farm in the region and the first farm in Panama to specialize in coffee. The Vasquez family, now on the fifth generation of ownership, specializes in geisha coffee, but also in three different processing styles: natural, honey and washed. With the natural process, the coffee fruit dries whole, making the coffee full-bodied with low acidity. The honey process extracts the pulp layer before the coffee is dried, leaving a sweet acidity in the finished brew, and a washed process removes everything, leaving just the bean for a light body and fruit-focused flavor.

Tours at Don Pepe run twice a day and cover the growing and manufacturing of their eight varieties: geisha, java, pacamara, bourbon, typica, catuaí, caturra and a blend. The tour ends with a tasting. Don Pepe Estate also provides transportation—they’ll pick you up and drop you off from nearby accommodations.

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Jennifer Billock | | READ MORE

Jennifer Billock is an award-winning writer, bestselling author, and editor. She is currently dreaming of an around-the-world trip with her Boston terrier. Check out her website at jenniferbillock.com .

Visit us and know all of our coffees

Don Pepe Estate Coffee , as the latest and most recent novelty, has decided to open the doors of its farm for you.

Join us in this fascinating journey in which you will learn more about our history. Nothing would please us more than showing you our secrets and explaining the difference between each of our processes, but above all, when you finish, you can also be part of a delicious and refreshing tasting of freshly grown coffee.

We are open Monday through Friday all year round, offering two tours per day. The first tour begins at 9:00 A.M. and the second one, at 2:00 P.M. Choose the option that suits you best and, if you wish, we can gladly pick you up as well. Do not worry about transportation. We are here to help!

Tour Information

If you wish to book our next tour, please complete the form below:

Visit Us in:

Volcancito, Boquete,

Republic of Panama.

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Call Us:  + (507) 6676-1150

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AT WHAT TIME WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THE TOUR? 9:00 A.M 2:00 P.M

Hacienda La Esmeralda

THE TRUE ORIGIN COFFEE

Where it all began.

At Hacienda La Esmeralda we are proud to be the true origin of the wonders of Panama Geisha. The year 2004 marked a spot in coffee history with the discovery on our farms of the beautiful attributes and diverse cup profiles of geisha coffee. Geisha’s perfumy nature, filled with intense jasmine florals and delicate notes of stone fruits, not only enamored the coffee world but set a precedent for future Geisha appraisal.

Since then we have produced rare record-breaking microlots while refining our production, fermentation and drying techniques. This dedication has led us to new and exciting sensory journeys. Yet our founding principles and core production values remain untouched.

ESMERALDA GEISHA

Discover the coffee that changed the industry.

ESMERALDA AUCTION 2023

The creation of a family gem.

Discover our 2023 Esmeralda Auction Reserve, The Creation of a Family Gem, which celebrates the origins of Esmeralda Geisha, born from the perfect balance between nature and craftsmanship.

Like the journey of a gem that transforms crystals into precious stones, Esmeralda Geisha arises from a harmonic union of terroir and skill to become an extraordinary cup. Volcanic soils, the influence of two oceans, and our passion for our craft have ascended our beans to the rank of prized gems within the coffee world. 

Join us on August 8, 2023 for a chance to discover the true essence of our labor of love. With every taste of this collection of 20 unique microlots, you will embark on a personal journey through a symphony of flavors meticulously cultivated by our hands.

The home of esmeralda geisha

Hacienda La Esmeralda is iconic for having rediscovered Geisha in 2004. It was a happenstance of altitude and lot separation that discovered Geisha’s amazing flavors and aromatics. Since then, we have worked hard to create the infrastructure that supports a Geisha production that consistently delivers the attributes that made the world fall in love with this special coffee variety.

Esmeralda Auction

Esmeralda Auction is a limited collection of the best performing lots of the season. It is exclusively sold through our online auction.

Esmeralda SPECIAL

Esmeralda Special Geisha is a collection of high elevation Geisha microlots (1,600 – 1,800 masl). 

Esmeralda Private Collection

Esmeralda Private Collection is masterfully designed mix of high elevation Geishas. 

Esmeralda Cascara

Tea made from dry coffee cherries from our natural processed coffees.

Varietal Collection

The exotic varietals collection is made up of microlots of SL-34, Laurina, Pacamara and Landrace Blend.

Diamond Mountain

Diamond Mountain is a delicious and consistent mix of our catuai production.

Best of Panama

Panama Cup 2017 and 2019 

Geisha Natural: 2017, 2015, 2013

Geisha Washed: 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Traditional Washed: 2018

Coffee Tours

We specialize in small tours so that you get to learn more about the areas that interest you. Our tour is " hands-on " as you experience each step of the "traditional" process. 

We want everyone to have fun and to have a great experience while we walk through each step of the coffee process:

Pick some cherries from the trees (available during harvest season)

Process the cherries

Feel and test some beans to see what the moisture content is

Try out our pilon and see how heavy the stick actually is

Roast your own coffee to take home! (each group will have a machine to roast a small batch of coffee as you learn about the roasting process)

Sort your coffee to make it perfect before you package it up

And last but not least, Drink some coffee brewed in a variety of ways. ​** Geisha coffee tasting is included!**

​ Everything needed for the tour is provided at the farm including bug spray and filtered water.

Limited Time Pricing on Adults! ​$35.00 per adult

Ages 18 and over: $35 (original price $40)

Ages 13-17: $10

Additional Information

Payments - Payments will be collected at the end of the tour. We accept: PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Venmo, Cash, Yappy and Bank Transfers

Transportation - If you do not have your own transportation, we can pick you up at Plaza San Francisco in Alto Boquete. (A taxi or bus from downtown Boquete to Plaza San Francisco will cost about $1 per person.) Pick up will be 15 minutes before your tour! * You can select this option on our online booking form.

Solo Travelers - Please contact our farm to which tours are available for single travelers.

Group Tours (6 or more adults) - Please contact our farm to arrange a private tour for your group.

Discounts - The only discount we are offering right now is already included in our online pricing: 

Ages 0-12: Free

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• 2-Day Trip: “Coffee, Canyon, and Cloud Forest”
• 2-Day Trip: “Boquete Quick Combo”
• 2-Day Trip: “Boquete Surf and Turf”
• 3-Day Trip: “Best of Boquete”
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• 5-Day Trip: “Totally Chiriqui”
• 8-Day Trip: “Rumble in the Jungle”
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Coffee Tour  //  From Cherry to Cup

Home » Coffee Tour

Price: $35 per person     Duration: 3 Hours

Visit a local coffee plantation with hand roasting and tasting, while asking the knowledgeable experts all about the largest labor-force industry in the world..

Behind every cup of coffee there is a History

What’s Included:

• Roundtrip Transport
• English-Speaking Coffee Expert
• Hand Roasting and Tasting

Coffee Tour Highlights:

• Local Coffee Plantation
• Panoramic Views of Volcan Baru
• Small and Intimate Group Tour

Coffee Tour Trip Description:

Our small coffee farm at Finca dos Pep e  is located in the highlands of Boquete, Panama – a coffee growing region sometimes referred to as the Napa Valley of coffee. Its rich volcanic soil and ideal climate have recently produced some of the highest rated coffees in the world. We have set out to grow the healthiest, most natural, and most flavorful coffee on the planet.

Each coffee tour is kept small and semi-private for an in-depth and hands-on experience. As you walk the fields you will learn about growing and processing of the coffee plants. 

You will also visit the roasting house where you will sample different roasts to determine your preference. Some days include a full hands-on roasting experience, where you can make a bag of your custom flavor to purchase if you like! Take part in the process of bringing coffee from the cherry to the cup during an intimate in-depth and hands-on experience at a coffee estate along the beautiful slopes of Volcan Baru. ENGLISH  AND SPANISH SPEAKING TOUR.

The tour begins around the coffee plantations, where we show the different varieties of grains that this farm produces: Geishas , Caturra, Catuai, Pacamara, Borbon, Typica, Java. You will learn about the life of these plants and why it is considered an organic and sustainable plantation with the environment. You will be able to visit the area with the equipment where the washing processes for honey, natural and nafa are carried out. You will be able observe the coffee drying area called “the African beds”, drying machines and warehouses of this farm, where the processes for export are carried out. You will enjoy tasting of 8 to 9 varieties of coffees were 3 of these are Panamanian Geishas. The tour time around the farm is 2 hours. Tour hours: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Durante el tour visitaremos la finca de café llamada Don Pepe Estate, fundada en 1898 por la familia Vásquez. 1- Nuestro recorrido inicia alrededor de las plantaciones de café donde mostramos las diferentes variedades que esta finca produce: Geishas , Caturra, Catuai, Pacamara, Borbon, Typica, Java. La vida de estas plantas y él por qué es una plantación orgánica y sostenible con el medio ambiente. Aprenderás sobre la vida de estas plantas y por qué se considera una plantación orgánica y sostenible con el medio ambiente. 2- Mostramos el área de las máquinas, donde se realizan los procesos de lavado, honey, natural y nafa. 3-Mostramos el área de secado del café llamado las camas africanas, máquinas secadoras y bodegas de esta finca donde se hacen los procesos para la exportación. 4-Hacemos una cata de 8-9 variedades de cafés y 3 de estos son Panamá Geishas. 5- El tiempo del recorrido por la finca es de 2 horas. Los horarios: 8:30 a.m – 1:30 p.m.

SPANISH & ENGLISH SPEAKING TOUR

**Special Online Price: $30 per person (reduced for a limited time).** Internet Special prices are subject to change at any time. Discount price is not available on existing or third-party reservations. Must reserve first directly with Boquete Outdoor Adventures. Special price may not be available during  holiday weeks or peak season dates .

Packages with this Tour:

– 2-Day “Boquete Quick Combo” Package – 2-Day “Coffee, Canyon, and Cloud Forest” Package – 2-Day “Surf and Turf” Package – 3-Day “Best of Boquete” Package – 5-Day “Totally Chiriqui” Package – 8-Day “Rumble in the Jungle” Package

Morning Tour: 8:30am – 12:00pm (check in 15 min before) Afternoon Tour: 1:30pm – 5:00pm (check in 15 min before)

Boquete, Chiriqui Province, Panama. How to get to Boquete.

The tour is unaffected by weather. Most of the tour is in a covered cialtad.com area, so during the rainy season months, the coffee tour is a great option during the afternoons when other tours may not be available. Trip will not be cancelled due to weather.

Meeting Place:

At the BOA Office in Plaza Los Establos on Main Street in Boquete. How to get to our office in Boquete.

Trip Notes:

Coffee Tours can be arrange in Spanish and English If you prefer to have a guaranteed roasting, please let us know in advance. Trip details may change due to severe weather or unforeseen events.

Approximate Tour Schedule (approximate times that can change daily):

8:30am – 8:40pm – Meet in office **Please be on time to not keep other guests waiting** 8:40am – 9:00am – Transport to Coffee Farm 9:15am – 11:45am – Guided walk on the farm, coffee tasting, possible hand roasting 11:45am – 12:15pm – Return transport to Boquete

1:30am – 1:40pm – Meet in office **Please be on time to not keep other guests waiting** 1:40am – 2:00am – Transport to Coffee Farm 2:15pm – 4:45pm – Guided walk on the farm, coffee tasting, possible hand roasting 4:45pm – 5:15pm – Return transport to Boquete

What To Bring:

• Walking Shoes
• Extra cash if you want to buy a bag of specialty roast coffee

Contact Us for Your Coffee Tour Now!

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Coffee cherries on a coffee finca (farm)

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Sample tour itinerary.

Arrive in Panama City Private Shuttle to hotel Welcome Dinner

Visit the Panama Canal, Biomuseo designed by Frank Gehry, and the Amador Causeway

Tour the Unique Coffee Shops and History of Casco Viejo

 Ferry to the Las Perlas Islands for a Day Trip to the Beach

Flight to David, Panama Private Shuttle to Boquete Coffee Farm Tour #1

Cacao Crafting Class Tour the Mountains of Boquete and Unique Coffee Shops Stay on a Working Coffee Finca (farm) with Trails for Hiking

Coffee Farm Tour #3 Private Specialty Cupping Experience Farewell Dinner

Private Shuttle to David Airport for flight back to Panama City

*Itinerary is subject to change.

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Reserve Your Spot Book online before this tour sells out. 2 Pay Your Deposit Confirm dates & pay refundable deposit. 3 Book Your Flights Book your flights only after tour is full. BOOK MY TOUR Discover Coffee Panama

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7 nights in Panama

Seven nights in ★★★★ and above

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All fees, tips & taxes for meals/tours

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

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English-speaking tour guides

Tour Dates to Know

• Peak Coffee Season: January - March
• Off-Season: April - September
• Got a group? Email [email protected] for information on group discounts and custom itineraries.

Cost Per Person

• Comfort Itinerary - starting at $2195
• Luxury Itinerary - starting at $2895
• Price is based on double occupancy.
• Minimum 4 guests required for booking.
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Central America Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 30, 2023

Surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the slender land bridge of Central America runs from Mexico to South America and is made up of seven countries: Guatemala , Belize , El Salvador , Honduras , Nicaragua , Costa Rica , and Panama .

Political and civil unrest in the 1980s kept most tourists away for decades (people never forget bad news), but now the area is becoming hotspot for travelers, surfers, luxury travelers, and even retirees.

Because Central America is beautiful, filled with history, affordable, and much safer than it used to be.

While there are still regions where you need to be vigilant, people have realized that it’s not the place the media makes it out to be. The region’s rainforests are filled with unexplored Mayan ruins and wildlife, its beaches are great for surfing, its reefs offer world-class diving, there’s a huge variety of flora and fauna here, and the cheap accommodation, food, and transport throughout the region make it a budget traveler’s dream.

I’m glad the collective consciousness is shifting and people are finally recognizing how amazing this area. I began my nomadic life traveling around Central America and whenever I return, I fall in love even more with the friendliness of the people, the tasty food, the weather, the history, and the beauty.

This travel guide to Central America will give you all the tips to help you plan your trip, stay safe, and save money in this underrated region of the world.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Central America

Click Here for Country Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in central america.

1. Explore the volcanoes

This region is rich in volcanoes — both active and inactive. You can hike, take a horse up, and even roast marshmallows at Pacaya (Guatemala), known for frequently erupting in ash clouds. Poás (Costa Rica) is famous for its green volcano crater lake, Arenal has hiking trails, geothermal springs, a gorgeous rainforest area with waterfalls, ziplining tours and a plethora of wildlife. Masaya in Nicaragua is well known for its spectacular crater lava lake that you can visit at night to truly see the bubbling lava (coined ‘La Boca de Infierno’ (or ‘Mouth of Hell’). For adventure seekers, don’t miss trying some adrenaline-inducing sandboarding down Cerro Negro volcano in Nicaragua.

2. See Mayan ruins

Central America has many ruin sites. Tikal, in Guatemala, is an enormous national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with centuries of Mayan history and archeology covered in lush vegetation and rare tropical wildlife. Copán in Honduras dates back to the 5th century and boasts intricate stelae, tunnels, a hieroglyphic stairway, and lush tropical vegetation filled with monkeys, sloths, parrots, and macaws. Meanwhile, Xunantunich is one of Belize’s most impressive and easily accessible Maya sites known for its scenic location in the middle of the jungle. Last but not least, San Andrés archeological site in El Salvador is the largest pre-hispanic ruins site in the country and includes pyramids and ancient plazas. The intricate wall carvings, imposing pyramids, and crumbling columns should not be missed. Prices vary but expect to spend around $20 USD for admission.

3. Relax on Caye Caulker, Belize

This little island is incredibly popular with backpackers. It’s less expensive than some of the larger islands in the country and has a relaxed atmosphere to it. There is something here for everyone and there is way more to do here than just lay out on the exquisite beaches (although this is definitely a place you could chill for a few days). However, it’s also a spectacular place to see the delicate ecosystems of Caye Caulker Forest Reserve, which is filled with rare tropical plants and marine life. Caye Caulker is also a great place to snorkel with nurse sharks, dive the Belize Barrier Reef or the Great Blue Hole, swim with gentle manatees, or just kayak around “The Split” in paradise. July is a great time to go because of their famous lobster festival, offering tasty lobster as well as lively beach parties.

4. See the Panama Canal

First opened in 1914, the Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) marvel of human labor and engineering. 13,000-14,000 ships cross between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean every single year thanks to the canal (nearly a million boats have crossed since its construction). The canal raises ships an impressive 27 meters (85 feet) using a complex lock system, so it takes 8-10 hours for each boat to cross. The Canal relies on three sets of locks: Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks on the Pacific side and Gatun Locks on the Caribbean side. The most common place to see the canal is at Miraflores Locks in Panama. Admission is $20 USD.

5. Trek through the rainforests

Much of Central America is covered in lush and humid rainforests. A popular way to see these is to take a canopy tour, where you’ll be suspended on a zip-line and glide over the tops of the trees. The rainforests are filled with howler monkeys, jaguars, lizards, tropical birds, and so much more. Check out Costa Rica’s Volcán Arenal or La Fortuna Zip lines for breathtaking scenic views. Or Guatemala’s Atitlán canopy tours, where you can zip right over the stunning blue lake below. Honduras’s remote paradise Roatán Island offers incredible zip line views of its perfect crystal coast before sunning on the beach too. Expect to pay $40-65 USD.

Other Things to See and Do in Central America

1. head to antigua.

Considered one of the best-preserved colonial cities, Antigua (in Guatemala ) is a major travel hotspot for backpackers. Wander around the Spanish-style cobbled streets and visit the ruins of San Francisco Church. Don’t miss the opportunity to hike up to the 3,976-meter-high (13,000-foot) summit of one of the most active volcanoes in the world, “Volcan Fuego” (which is nearby). You can also head to Acatenango (another nearby volcano) if you’d rather see a volcano spit smoke and fire. Plus, there are tons of pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, hostels, and even Spanish language schools here if you want a reason to stay longer!

2. Go diving

The shores around Central America are home to many coral reefs. As such, diving is hugely popular. The colors and variety of fish will amaze you, as will the clear visibility. Diving here is cheaper than in the Caribbean and most parts of Mexico . Popular dive countries include Panama, Honduras, and Belize. Expect to pay $50-100 USD for a two-tank dive, or a few hundred dollars for your certification course.

3. Tour coffee plantations

This entire region is known for its coffee, particularly Costa Rica and Panama. Tour the plantations and see how the beans are grown, picked, and ground. You can also buy fresh coffee at heavily discounted prices (it’s a great souvenir). I found the best coffee to be from Monteverde, Costa Rica — and I don’t even like coffee! But I drank it and loved it (it tasted like chocolate!).

4. Visit Chichicastenango

Most people who come to Guatemala visit Chichicastenango , the largest indigenous market in Central America. Stalls sell handicrafts, blankets, pottery, souvenirs, and more. It’s the best place to find local food for cheap and take in the hustle and bustle of local life.

5. Tour the museums

Most cities in Central America are filled with museums, particularly those paying homage to the Mayan civilization. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum in San José, Costa Rica is fascinating, with over 1,000 different gold objects such as animal figures, and jewelry, as well as a scale model of a Pre-Columbian village. For Mayan artifacts, head to the Copán Archaeology Museum in Honduras ($3 USD).

6. Sail the San Blas Islands

This archipelago in Panama consists of 378 islands and cays to explore. Taking a day, or even a week-long sailing trip throughout them is super fun. There are incredible seascapes to behold, as well as fascinating people to meet and colorful reefs to see up close. There is an abundance of wildlife to check out and the boats make frequent snorkeling and scuba diving stops. These trips are popular with budget travelers and can be organized anywhere in the country. You can do a day trip to three of the islands for $90 USD but expect to spend upwards of $600 USD for a 4-5-day cruise. It’s not super cheap, but it’s worth it!

7. Surf down a volcano in Nicaragua

If you like adrenaline activities, try volcano boarding. Cerro Negro, a young and active volcano in Nicaragua, offers tourists a chance to ride a surfboard down its graveled slopes. You have to hike up to the top yourself (which takes around an hour) so be prepared for a climb and to get dirty! A full-day excursion costs $45-50 USD, with transportation, gear, and drinks included.

8. Dive the Great Blue Hole

This natural wonder in Belize is part of the Lighthouse Reef system. It’s a near-perfect circular hole that stretches 146 meters (480 feet) below the surface. The water here is almost completely motionless, so visibility is clear to about 60 meters (200 feet). The Great Blue Hole is an amazing place to dive or snorkel and is considered one of the best natural dive spots in the world! Tour prices vary, but snorkeling tours cost around $220 USD, and diving tours start at $240 USD. A half-day tour with two dives starts from $130 USD. The trips to the Blue Hole are full-day, 3-tank tours and start from $300 USD.

9. Walk through the Treetops

The Rainmaker Aerial Walkway in Costa Rica was the first aerial walkway to be built in Central America and it’s still considered one of the top aerial walkways in the region. At the highest point on the walkway, you’ll find yourself 20 stories above the ground. Tours start at $75 USD and include two light meals. There is also a night tour that lasts three hours and costs $60 USD.

10. Visit the Macaw Mountain Bird Reserve & Park

Located in Copán Ruinas, Honduras, this enclosure is in a tropical rainforest brimming with an amazing range of birds. You’ll see everything from brilliant Buffon Macaws to vibrant Blue and Gold Macaws to colorful Keel-Billed Toucans. Included in the ticket price is a three-day access pass to the park, a one-hour guided tour, and a 20-minute walk through an adjacent coffee plantation. Admission is $10 USD.

11. Admire the Belize Barrier Reef

This is the second-longest barrier reef in the world. It’s home to a vibrant coral reef and magnificent marine life (including sea turtles, rays, and sharks) and is the country’s most popular tourist attraction. In 1996, the reef was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s now a popular spot for diving, snorkeling, and boat tours. A three-tank dive costs around $115-125 USD.

12. Go to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

Located on Nicaragua Lake, this is the largest volcanic island in the world that resides inside a freshwater lake. It’s easy to get to and is close to Managua. There are a plethora of restaurants and hotels on the island. Be sure to check out Cascada San Ramon, a waterfall you can access via a beautiful four-hour hike. Also, don’t miss El Pital where you can learn how chocolate is made (tours are $15 USD).

13. Take in the Nicoya Coast, Costa Rica

This is a beautiful peninsula in Costa Rica peppered with quaint little towns and plenty of beaches. It is constantly sunny here, and there’s a lot to see and do. Some of the main attractions include Barra Honda National Park, Isla Tortuga, scuba diving, and driving along the coast. My favorite town in this area is Santa Teresa.

14. Visit La Libertad, El Salvador

For those of you who are big on surfing, this is considered the best place to catch a wave in Central America. While there is the risk of bumping into a swarm of beach-bum types, it doesn’t take away from the amazing waves, the endless seafood barbecue, and cool accommodation. Surfboard rentals start at $15-25 USD.

15. Enjoy Carnival

The biggest carnival in the region is La Ceiba in Honduras. Held every May, the streets fill with bright costumes and dancing, while bars and clubs burst with locals and tourists alike, all vying to soak up the party atmosphere. Different neighborhoods host “Carnavalitos” (little carnivals), competing on who can throw the best party.

16. Visit the Montecristo Cloud Forest

This cloud forest has a diverse swath of flora and fauna including ferns, orchids, mosses, spider monkeys, and anteaters. Hike to the highest point, El Trifinio, where the borders of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala converge. It’s a steep 7-kilometer (4-mile) climb, so bring lots of water. There’s a limit to how many people can visit the park each day so it’s best to arrive bright and early and finish before the park closes at 3pm.

17. Dive the Bay Islands in Honduras

The Bay Islands are one of the best diving spots in Central America. The Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja archipelagos all offer stunning dive sites. Get up close to colorful coral formations or deep dive 600 meters (2,000) feet into the abyss for bluntnose sixgill shark sightings. It’s also super affordable; prices start at $35-40 USD.

Be sure to visit our Central America country travel guides for more detailed information about what to see and do in each destination:

• Belize Travel Guide
• Costa Rica Travel Guide
• El Salvador Travel Guide
• Guatemala Travel Guide
• Honduras Travel Guide
• Nicaragua Travel Guide
• Panama Travel Guide

Central America Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostel dorms with 6-8 beds cost $8-20 USD per night while private hostel rooms cost $15-30 USD for a single or double bed with private bathroom (in Belize, Costa Rica or Panama, you will pay on the higher end of that range).

Family-owned guesthouses or hotels are the next most affordable accommodation. These rooms average $25-40 USD per night for a private room with an ensuite bathroom. Many include breakfast, not to mention the added bonus of meeting a local.

In cheaper countries like Honduras, a private room can cost $15 USD per night while in a more expensive destination like Panama City, you can expect to pay on the higher end, about $40-50 USD per night.

Airbnb is also an option around Central America, with private rooms starting at around $30 USD per night. For an entire home or apartment expect to pay at least $70 USD per night (though prices are often double that).

Camping can be done easily at some hostels and in certain national parks. Many hostels have spaces where you can pitch a tent or string up a hammock for under $10 USD per night. National parks require camping fees that vary from country to country. See country guides for specifics on where to stay.

Generally, I’d avoid wild camping in this region (even where it is legal it is not advised due to crime, the heat, and wildlife).

Food – While the cuisine for each country in Central America varies, there is some overlap. Expect to find dishes centered around rice, beans, tortillas, meat, and seafood. Generally, you’ll find a mix of Spanish, Caribbean, and traditional Mesoamerican influences here. Fresh fruit is also huge, including favorites like bananas, plantain, mangoes, papaya, and more.

The cheapest food option is to eat at the roadside restaurants that dot the region. Buying your own groceries and cooking is also super affordable, though not all hostels have kitchen facilities.

At small restaurants serving regional cuisine, expect to pay around $5 USD for a meal. If you want really cheap food, you can find empanadas (fried pastries filled with meat, cheese, or potatoes) for under a dollar.

If you plan on cooking your own meals, head down to the local market and pick up fruit, vegetables, rice, and some meat or seafood for $20-40 USD per week depending on your diet.

The local markets have tons of fresh fruit for incredibly cheap, so fill up on that when you can. A typical restaurant meal per main dish and a drink is about $10 USD, however, western food costs about three times as much as local dishes — so skip it!

See each destination’s guide for more info and prices.

Backpacking Central America Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of $30-55 USD per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat some local street food, cook most of your meals, visit a few attractions (like museums and national parks), do some free walking tours, and take local transportation to get around. If you plan on drinking, you’ll need to add a few extra dollars to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of $75-150 USD per day, you can stay in a private hostel or Airbnb, eat out more, enjoy a few drinks, visit some historical sites and do some tours, and take coach buses and the occasional taxi to get around.

On a “luxury” budget of $180-290 USD per day, you can stay in a hotel, drink as much as you’d like, eat out for all your meals (including at Western restaurants), take private tours, rent a car for day trips, go diving, and even take the occasional flight. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Note that if you visit Costa Rica and Panama (the region’s two most expensive countries), you’ll spend on the higher end of these ranges (and above).

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Central America Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

While our country guides have more specific ways to save (every country in the region is very different), here are five general rules for saving money in Central America:

• Visit the markets – Although eating out is cheap in Central America, it makes sense to shop at the markets for your food to take on day trips or to prepare at your hostel. Fruit is super cheap!
• Hitchhike – Hitchhiking is one of the most popular ways to get around the region and used extensively by locals. You’ll find people regularly willing to pick up people and give them a lift. Just be sure to use common sense as some regions should not be traveled by hitchhiking.
• Eat on the side of the road – The local eateries at the side of the road will be the cheapest food you can eat, costing just a couple of dollars per meal.
• Avoid flying – Bus rides are longer, but if you are trying to see this region on a budget you shouldn’t fly. Flights are 5-10 times more expensive than the bus! An hour-long flight can cost hundreds of dollars. Avoid flying as much as possible!

Where to Stay in Central America

Each country guide has lots of suggested places to stay but here are some of my top top places to stay in the region:

• The Red Hut Inn (Belize City)
• Sophie’s Guest Rooms (Caye Caulker)
• Dirty McNasty (Caye Caulker)
• D’s Hostel (San Ignacio)
• Maya Papaya (Antigua)
• La Iguana Perdida (Santa Cruz, Lake Atitlan)
• Casa de Grethel (Flores)
• Hostal Los Lagos (Guatemala City)

El Salvador

• Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca (San Salvador)
• Hostel Casa Verde (Santa Ana)
• Roatan Backpackers Hostel (Roatan)
• Palmira Hostel (Tegucigalpa)
• Iguana Azul (Copan Ruinas)
• De Boca en Boca (Granada)
• Bigfoot Hostel & Volcano Boarding (Leon)
• Managua Backpackers Inn (Managua)
• Hostel Life is Good (Ometepe Island)
• Rocking J’s (Puerto Viejo)
• Costa Rica Backpackers (San Jose)
• Pura Natura Lodge Manuel Antonio (Manuel Antonio)
• Camino Verde B&B (Monteverde)
• Hostal Casa Areka (Panama City)
• Magnolia Inn Casco Viejo (Panama City)
• El Machio (Panama City)
• Bambuda Castle (Boquete)
• Bambuda Lodge (Bocas del Toro)

How to Get Around Central America

Public transportation – Public buses are the most common (and cheapest) way to get around, with fares costing less than a dollar. These buses are often referred to as “chicken buses” because of the number of chickens and rice that is transported on them. They stop just about everywhere to let people hop on and off, and you’ll be crammed in tight with locals. They’re slow, but cheap.

Taxi – Taxis are common and affordable, but not all of them have meters. Be sure to check before you get into the taxi and if there’s no meter, negotiate a fare upfront.

On the higher end, taxi fares start at about $2 USD in Panama City and then they charge $2 USD per kilometer. In San Jose, Costa Rica, rates start at around $1 USD and then are $1.11 USD per kilometer.

Always ask your hotel/hostel staff how much your ride should be so you know in advance. When in doubt, have them call a taxi for you as well so you know you won’t get ripped off.

Bus – Longer bus rides and overnight buses between countries usually cost between $10-30 USD. They’re not always overly comfortable, but they usually have air-conditioning and some night buses have reclining seats.

Shuttle buses are a popular way to get travelers around the backpacking trail. All you need to do is show up at a travel agency (they’re everywhere) and negotiate a price and route. Make sure you’re clear about where the bus is picking you up — it’s not always a bus station. In some cases, you can just show up and pay the driver onboard.

Larger international buses also run between the larger cities and tend to have their own bus terminals. Some services include Tica Bus, Central Line, and Expreso Panama.

On Tica Bus, for example, you can get from Panama all the way to Guatemala. From Panama to Costa Rica is about $55 USD, and the price increases the further you go. These buses are more comfortable, but the smaller minibusses arranged through an agency tend to be cheaper.

Train – Trains are non-existent in this region. Stick to buses.

Flying – Flying between cities and countries is expensive and routes are limited. A flight from Guatemala City to Belize City can cost upwards of $240 USD while a one-way flight from Belize to Panama is over $375 USD! I would avoid this method of travel unless you are very pressed for time and have lots of money to burn.

Car rental – Roads and driving conditions vary widely here. Overall, you’ll want to be an experienced driver here if you are going to rent a car. Rentals cost around $15-35 USD per day for a multi-day rental. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Central America

The weather in Central America varies drastically depending on where you are thanks to its many distinct microclimates from coast to coast (and with the altitude in the mountainous areas). The dry season is from December to April, which is generally considered the best time to visit. This is also when most people visit so you can expect more crowds and inflated prices.

The rainy season is from April to December, with hurricane season being at its peak in September and October (especially on the Caribbean side). Having said that, the rainy season isn’t a bad time to visit. Mostly you’ll find periods of heavy rainfall, but plenty of nice weather otherwise. Humidity can be high, and mosquitos and tropical storms can be a nuisance.

In the mountains, temperatures can drop as low as 10°C (50°F). In the hottest places, it’ll soar into the high 30s°C (80s°F). Refer to our country-specific guides to get a better breakdown of temperatures and climates!

How to Stay Safe in Central America

While Central America is generally safe for traveling and backpacking, there’s no denying that certain precautions should be taken. There are certain parts of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala that are currently best to avoid completely and theft and pick-pocketing is common in most cities around the region.

Additionally, there are lots of places you don’t want to go out at night (especially in big cities).

You can find the current situation for each country in their destination guide but here are some general rules for staying safe in Central America:

• Avoid isolated areas, especially at night and in big cities.
• Avoid night buses, where robberies are common, unless your hotel/hostel staff say otherwise.
• Avoid taking drugs here. Penalties are stiff.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Keep your personal belongings on you while using public transit (especially chicken buses).
• Take taxis at night in foreign cities (ideally with other travelers).
• Don’t wear flashy items or start flashing your phone around (especially at night).

Overall, violent attacks against tourists are rare. Petty theft is common here and you must be extremely vigilant to make sure you don’t get robbed — especially when on public transportation or in large crowds.

Don’t carry lots of cash on you and avoid flashing expensive gear. When you go out, only take as much money as you need.

Keep an eye out for common scams against tourists , such as fake ATMs, taxis that don’t use a meter, and questionable tour operators.

For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Central America, check out this post we wrote that answers some frequently asked questions and concerns.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Central America Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Central America Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Central America travel and continue planning your trip:

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Costa Rica?

The Best Tour Companies in Costa Rica

The 6 Best Hostels in Panama City, Panama

Is Belize Safe to Visit?

Is Central America Safe to Visit?

How to Get Around Central America on a Budget

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