The beautiful Chiriqui province of Panama is mostly
agricultural land, with a range of climates and ecosystems from sea
level to 13,100 feet (4,000m). There are a number of towns and
cities, though the area is mostly home to small villages, which is
part of its charm. Two of the most popular tourist destinations in
Chiriqui are Boquete and Cerro Punta, towns near the Barú Volcano.
The towns both make good starting points for treks into the wilder
parts of the province.
Chiriqui's increasing popularity for tourism is
focused mainly on adventure travel, with activities such as
white-water rafting and kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, and
bird watching available year-round in the province's warm climate.
The highlands of Chiriqui are also a delight for botanists with
more than 1,200 varieties of orchids growing wild.
The province is home to a number of pretty beaches
that are natural habitats for Hawksbill and Leatherback sea
turtles. Boca Chica and Las Olas are popular resorts along the
coast, and offer activities such as fishing trips, scuba diving
among coral reefs, expeditions to the Chiriqui highlands and
mangrove forests, and tours of the local rum factories.