Boquete is a small mountain town located in the western province of Chiriquí, Panama. Known for its cool climate, lush landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, it is a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

We spent a week exploring Boquete while working remotely and this guide will tell you everything you need to know about whether Boquete is a suitable destination for remote workers. 

Can you work remotely from Boquete, Panama?

The short answer is: Yes, you can work remotely from Boquete. You can find reliable wifi, 4G and cafes and other coworking spaces in the area.

What’s the wifi like in Boquete, Panama?

You can definitely find good wifi in Boquete, Panama. What you need to keep an eye out for is potential power outages, especially during the rainy season (more information on the rainy season at the end of this post).

We stayed in an Airbnb that had really good comments about the wifi, and it worked very well for most of our stay. In fact, we had 330Mbps for download and 193 Mbps for upload, which was great!

However, we experienced several power outages due to the heavy rain and made it somewhat difficult for us to plan our work schedule – especially with several calls scheduled every day. While we ended up working from home most of the time, we decided to get ahead of potential power outages and take the calls from Selina’s coworking space (a 15 min walk from our Airbnb).

If you’re looking for an Airbnb to work from (or any other accommodation in the area), we always recommend searching for the words “internet”, “wifi”, and “wi-fi” in the Airbnb listing comments to get the scoop.

Are there any coworking spaces in Boquete, Panama?

Boquete, being a coffee destination, has lots of cafes in town. Their coffee might be a lot better than their wifi, but they make for a nice destination if you need to work on low-bandwidth tasks such as cleaning up your email inbox.

If you need a proper coworking space with reliable and fast internet connection, then Selina might be your best option. As always, you can rent a spot at Selina’s coworking space even if you’re not staying there for about $10/day. 

We actually spent a whole day working from Selina and the wifi was able to hold several Google meet calls with multiple participants –the ultimate wifi test. One additional benefit about Selina is the fact that they usually have their own power generators, which means that even if the power goes out, they can still keep their wifi (and lights) on.

What else is there to do in Boquete, Panama?

The town itself is steeped in culture and history, with several museums and art galleries showcasing the work of local artists and craftsmen. Visitors can also explore the town’s colonial architecture and learn about the indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé people who have called the region home for centuries.

Boquete also boasts a vibrant coffee culture, with several coffee plantations offering tours and tastings. Visitors can learn about the history of coffee production in Panama and sample some of the country’s finest blends.

The most popular activities in Boquete include hiking, birdwatching, hot springs bathing, zip-lining, and white-water rafting. Here’s a summary of some of our recommendations for Boquete.

What to Do:

• Pipeline Trail – We’re not big hikers so we picked this short trail that follows the actual “pipeline” up to a stunning waterfall. Get there early if you’re hoping to see birds!
• Finca Casanga – One of the best and most thorough coffee tours we’ve ever done. The walk you through every step of the process, the guide is super knowledgeable, and you even get to roast your own bag of coffee to take home with you!

Where to Eat:

• Buckle Tip Coffee Studio – The best coffee in town featuring different varieties, roasts, and blends.
• Big Daddy’s Grill – A variety of options including international and American fare. Come for the burgers, stay for the cocktails
• The Fish House – Come for the fish of the day and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it’s high quality and affordable price

Nightlife:

• Tapout – One of the liveliest places in town during  the evening – expect live music, good drinks, and snacks in this indoor/outdoor bar.

Additional Information about Boquete, Panama:

After spending a few weeks in Costa Rica, we were happy to be back in a more affordable country. Food, drinks, and transportation were significantly cheaper in Panama although tours and activities were still a bit pricey.

It’s important to decide what you want to do in Boquete before picking a time to visit since the rainy season can have a pretty big impact on outdoor activities. The dry season (which is also high season) typically lasts from mid-December to mid-April. During the rest of the year, you can expect a good amount of rain with storms regularly rolling through. 

In short, Boquete offers something for everyone, from outdoor adventurers to culture enthusiasts, making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Panama.