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Chiriqui, PanamaThe Region of Chiriqui in Panama   Custom Search 
Chiriquí is a province of Panama located on the western coast and is the most developed province in the country. It is blessed with Panama's most varied landscapes, ranging from stunning beaches to steep mountains. Cattle ranches, orchid gardens, coffee plantations, tropical forests famous with bird watchers, and coastal islands are all icons of this unique region. The beauty and diversity of this area rival anything in neighboring Costa Rica. It covers and area of 6,476.2 km² with a population of around 400,000 people. Until the arrival of Spaniards, the region was populated by a number of indigenous tribes, known collectively as Guaymies. These tribes include Changuinas, Zurias, Boquerones, Buricas, Doraces, Bugabas, and Gualacas. 
The Main Areas of ChiriquiThe capital of the province is the city of David and it includes the districts of Boquete, Baru, St. Felix and St. Lorenzo as well as the town called Chiriqui. The local government of Chiriquí is modeled after that of the United States.David is the regional business and transportation center whilst hotels and tourism installations can be found in the cooler climate of Boquete and Volcan. Las Lajas, about an hour's drive from David, is the best known of Chiriqui's beaches. For all these reasons, the area has become a popular retirement destination for foreigners and Panamanians alike. Also, tourism is beginning to increase as the province becomes a destination for national and international tourists. Boquete
Boquete is the nation's prime supplier for florists. Cool mountain streams flow down from the semi-extinct Baru Volcano (11,450 feet) through Boquete, Cerro Punta, and Volcan. In addition to fantastic trout fishing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and hiking, underground hot springs can also be found in the area of Boquete. Boquete is home to the coffee plantations for which Panama coffee is famous, particularly the Geisha coffee.
For more on Boquete click here
David
David is a convenient stop over point for several important destinations within the region, such as the flower and coffee highlands of Boquete and Cerro Punta. It is 45 minutes drive from Paso Canoas on the border of Costa Rica.The city of David is on the coastal plain. It is a market town and center for the thriving farming industry that is the main economic activity of the Chiriqui province. David is not quite a frontier town, but the feeling is there. It is a regional commercial and processing center. Raising cattle is the principal occupation in the region, but tropical fruits, coffee, cacao, and sugar are also produced. The city is surrounded by the beautiful and picturesque highlands of Chiriqui.
In the center of town you will find the central park. Here locals come to visit or just to relax under the shade of the trees. Street vendors will shine your shoes or sell you a cold drink: fresh coconut or sugar cane juice prepared on the spot. In March David hosts the Feria Internacional de David, where International companies exhibit their products and services to Panama. The Childrens Day Festival is held on or around July 17th every year. The Weather in Chiriqui
The province features a variety of climates. From hot and humid lowland areas near David which is in the lowlands, to the cool and moist highlands of Cerro Punta which is considered the highest altitude city, accessible via paved roads and down to Puerto Armuelles where bananas and oil transportation dominate. The highlands have mild, cool weather that many Europeans and Americans have found to their liking. The climate reminds one of Switzerland during warmer months.
Real Estate in ChiriquiTo see a range of homes and land for sale - for building your own house or for larger develpments, go to Chiriqui Real EstateHistory of ChiriquiChiriquí was first discovered in 1519 by Gaspar de Espinosa. The province was officially established on May 26, 1849, when Panama was still part of Colombia.It was Abraham Lincoln's favored destination for colonization by free blacks. It was the province in which Manuel Noreiga rose in the military ranks which included helping bring Omar Torrijos back into the country after a coup. To help he lined up jeeps with their lights on the runway in David to allow Torrijos' plane to land. It was also the heart of a short lived pro-democracy guerilla movement in the late 60's early 70's.
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