The Town and Around
The town itself is a charming and - except during the annual Feria de las Flores y el Cafe (usually held in January) - peaceful place, spread out along the road that comes in from David and around two squares, the Parque de las Madres , decorated with flowers, fountains and a monument to motherhood, and the Parque Central , which bustles with activity during the weekend market. Sadly, recent developments have put Boquete's unique charm under threat. Foreign investment has flooded into the area in recent years, pushing land prices beyond the reach of most locals, and an all-inclusive luxury retirement condominium for up to five hundred people from the United States is currently under construction, prompting fears that the town is being turned into a kind of tropical theme park for wealthy foreigners. The real attraction of Boquete, however, is walking or riding in the surrounding countryside. As well as the climb to the summit of the volcano - a strenuous day's walk or a couple of hours by car when the road is in good condition - there are plenty of less demanding walks you can make along narrow country lanes, with well-signposted attractions. One of these, heading out of town to the north towards the hamlet of Alto Lino , takes you past the Cafe Ruiz coffee processing plant, which offers free tours to visitors, demonstrating every stage of coffee production. If you take a right fork across a bridge shortly after this you'll reach the Los Vernaderos Orchid Farm , where visitors are also welcome.
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