Adventure Travel Photography Blog
Upon booking my impromptu trip to Panama, I hadn’t even heard of Boquete. After sifting through a Panama travel guide, I ended up in this small mountain town for three days! Boquete is located in Panama’s western-most Province of Chiriquí about 40 miles from the Costa Rica border. At 3,900 feet above sea level, its climate as well as its natural environment attracts locals, tourists and a large ex-pat community.
EXPLORE!
The top two things to do in Boquete on Trip Advisor are to hike Sendero Los Quetzales and Tres Casacadas (Three Waterfalls) Trails. The Three Waterfalls Trail is also called the Lost Waterfalls Trail.
It is highly recommended to take a guide for Sendero Los Quetzales which also requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle and there is a two-person minimum. As such, just to take a hike was going to cost $190. As an experienced hiker with an all-wheel drive car, that seemed a little ridiculous to me.
HAPPY HIKING!
I found a cheap flight to Panama, so I picked up a Lonely Plant guide and figured out a week’s itinerary…three days in Panama City and three days in Boquete. Aside from the Panama Canal, I hadn’t heard much about the country, so I went with guarded expectations. I was pleasantly surprised.
I found the wonderful Latin America culture coupled with some American conveniences such as safe drinking water, easy and cheap Uber rides, excellent food, and US currency to be perfect!
EXPLORE!
When in Panama City, visiting the Panama Canal is a must. There are many ways to see it including taking a boat passage through the whole thing, taking a day trip on a boat, taking a tour on the manmade Gatun Lake, going to one of the locks, or walking along the causeway.
Walking along the Cinta Costera on the causeway which connects three islands simply provides an opportunity to see the boats heading toward the canal. I probably wouldn’t call it a canal visit, but the walk is nice enough for views of the boats and water.
Taking a boat tour of Gatun Lake is a good way to see the vessels transitting the canal while also seeing wildlife, monkey island, a native Indian village, Fort San Lorenzo and other places depending on the chosen tour.
EXPLORE!
While I didn’t try many restaurants in Panama City, I’m going to go out on a limb and say Donde José is one of the best! Actually, I don’t even think I have to go out on a limb to say that, as it is one of the best restaurants anywhere where I’ve been. The eight-course tasting menu is unique and fun!
HAVE A TASTE!
Antigua is a city in the central highlands of Guatemala famous for its architectures and ruins of colonial churches. Once the capital of Guatemala, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
During my time in Antigua, I stayed at Hotel Mesón del Valle on the South side of town which is a bit quieter. Hotel Meson del Valle is one of twelve hotels operated by Antigua Hotel Solutions. I didn’t know this at the time of booking, but think it is good to know if hotels rooms are booked during peak times like Easter.
Continue reading “Top Things to Do in Antigua”
Antigua, located in the central highlands of Guatemala, was settled as the third capital of Guatemala in 1543 by Spanish conquistadors after indigenous uprisings took place in the first capital and after a volcano destroyed the second capital over a 20 year time period. Upon suffering from multiple earthquakes and severe destruction in 1773, the capital was ordered to move to Guatemala City by the Spanish Crown.
During its time as capital, Antigua became home to many religious orders that constructed several churches and convents near the main square and parks. As a result of the earthquakes, the colonial city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features many ruins as well. Famous for its Spanish Baroque influenced architecture, Antigua is a wonderful place to visit in Guatemala.
Continue reading “Antigua’s Parks, Churches, and Ruins”
I went to Antigua, Guatemala for a volunteer trip that took place just before Easter. After learning Antigua holds the largest Easter celebration in the world which commemorates the Passion, the Crucifix and the Resurrection of Jesus, I extended my trip five days in order to see the elaborate carpets and processions.
The festivities come from an Andalusian tradition brought over by the Spanish missionaries in the 16th Century. While processions take place every Sunday of lent, the majority of the activities take place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday during Semana Santa (Holy Week).
HAPPY EASTER!
There are a handful dormant and active volcanoes around Antigua, Guatemala. A volcano can be seen from almost any vantage point in the city. The four volcanoes surrounding Antigua are Volcán de Agua, Volcán Fuego, Volcán Acatenango, and Volcán Pacaya.
Continue reading “Pacaya Volcano by Morning, Hobbitenango by Afternoon”
After working on the Bottle School, I spent the night in Antigua before getting transportation to Lake Atitlán. I was in Guatemala for the busiest season at Easter, but I was able to get transportation easily with the help of my hotel, La Casa del Mundo, located between the towns of El Jaibalito and Santa Cruz La Laguna on the edge of the lake. If they couldn’t have helped me, the hotel in which I was staying in Antigua, Hotel San Jorge, would have helped me. It seems to be common for each hotel to offer excursions and transportation. I was a little concerned about not reserving a space in advance, but it didn’t seem to be a problem, at least not for one person. Continue reading “Two Days at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala”