Boquete – Day 1: Fairy Tales and Castles
BOQUETE
Day 1: Fairy Tales & Castles
February 11, 2023
Gotta say, I left Bocas feeling somewhat different. It was there that I found some much-needed clarity and perspective – something I badly needed after nearly being killed in the surf of Puerto Viejo, the adrenaline going to my head and catapulting me straight into an existential crisis.
After a boat ride back to mainland Bocas, I was on yet another four-hour journey, this time winding through the mountains of Panama – a gorgeous, scenic drive that had me enthralled the entire way. And just like that, I found myself in yet another town – Boquete. Surrounded by lush forests blanketing the mountainsides, with rainbows and flowers everywhere, it looked like something straight out of a fairy tale – especially when we got to the castle I’d be staying in. Yes, an honest-to-God castle.
I was meant to spend four nights here, but now fully addicted to diving, I decided to cut my stay short to experience the country’s Pacific coast and its marine life instead. My plan was to hike up the Barú Volcano and then leave the following day. Not gonna lie, I was pretty shocked when Giuliana, an Italian girl I met on the shuttle, told me that the best way to experience Barú was via a sunrise hike departing at 1AM.
For some reason, travelling from one place to another, even on a comfortable van, takes a toll on me like nothing else, and trekking after a full day of transit was the last thing I wanted to do. I’d already scrapped my plans to visit the Trail of the Lost Waterfalls – partly cause by this point I had waterfalls coming out of my ears, and partly because I’d chosen diving over it. On top of that, I’d been told that the Los Quetzales Trail, which promises sightings of quetzals, was closed until further notice.
I found myself feeling a bit lost, unsure which plan made the most sense. To climb my eleventh volcano, to head out on yet another waterfall hike, or to simply slow down and enjoy the rather ridiculous castle-like place I’d be staying in. For the first time in a while, I decided to sleep on it and make the call the following morning.