Puerto Armuelles to Boquete Panama

Puerto Armuelles is  an old United Fruit banana management town, but now active with several small beach inns. Mostly a neighborhood of simple houses with fishing boats in the front yards (beach)

Municipal bus back to David (4$ for 2 hour ride) and then another very crowded bus into the hills and the breezy town of Boquete where they grow flowers, strawberries and tomatoes. Many backpackers and expats here, big loud bar scene but also many expeditions to the incredible cloud forest.

Socia/tel is an international chain of hostels/inns for well off backpackers but with great amenities like hot water, shared workspaces, yoga deck and this outdoor deck out of the sun with a stream running below. Nice and cool, even cold at night.

The simplest rooms here are made from concrete culverts.

too small for me but I'm glad they have a smoke detector in case the sheets catch on fire.

Main Plaza

A lovely town with everything available in spite of the bar scene. Expats at cafes talking about their gyms and spanish classes. But i sign up for a guided hike into the hills to 'Mossy Rock'

before coffee but ready to hike

A sweaty hike through coffee plantations and pastures up to a great view.

Boquete below with Pacific on the horizon and Volcan Baru, the highest point in Panama

With Anna from Spain (on the guided hike) proudly showing Panama flag. Everyone I have met hates Trump.

looking down to Boquete

so relaxed in Boquete, I think I will stay another day or two. The health food store next door has everything including a smoothy restaurant. There is food from Peruvian, to sushi, to Mexican to seafood.