Horseback Riding In The Chiriqui Province

By BobbyRica | September 1, 2010

The best thing about Panama is that you can do lots of things in both sea and water. And while there are lots of sights to see in the water, there are as much wonders waiting for you on land. Panama is a big country and if you want to go nature tripping, your mode of transportation is crucial for your enjoyment. You might not be able to experience what you want to experience by car (too fast and doesn’t lend to a thorough survey of the sights) or by foot (too slow, can be tedious and tiring). So the serious tourist chooses the middle option: horseback.

There are many places in Panama that feature horseback riding tours but the best place to go is in the mountainous area of the Chiriqui Province. When you do get there, let me tell you in advance that this place rocks! There are many hiking trails used by the Native American Indians who have have lived in these valleys thru centuries. There are numerous rivers here where you can go rafting on thrilling Class III and Class IV rapids. By car, you feel like you’re driving by the misty Alpine pasture. Around the curve, however, a banana plantation reminds you that you’re in a tropical country. But why use a car when riding a horse makes more perfect sense?

In these parts, three locations are the best to visit if you want to explore the place through horseback.

The Highlands of El Valle de Anton
Imagine a rainforest that covers the whole rocky mountainside. It’s cool but you’re surrounded by thick tropical jungle. You have lush rainforests with lovely flora that forces you to gawk and wonder. Located in the Province of Coclé, El Valle de Anton is actually an ancient volcanic crater that has long been inhabited the by Guaymi Indian tribe. The big hole spans five kilometers and was created 5 million years ago. It is also the second largest extinct volcano crater in the world.

Just two hours by car from the capital, the scenery here is Paradise. Though El Valle de Anton is one big steep valley, you are actually following ancient historical paths 11,000 years old. Another special thing about this place is that the climate has maintained spring-like temperatures the whole year round. So every trip is almost always pleasant.

Next to the valley is El Gaital National Monument, a cloud forest nature preserve where you can do more hiking, birdwatching and nature tours. El Valle de Anton is a 90-minute drive from the Bridge of Americas and a 60-minute drive after San Carlos.

A View From The Top Of Boquete
Remember coffee country? Well, this small mountain village is also tucked away inside a volcano (Volcano Barú). Known for sweetest oranges and coffee, Boquete also happens to be a tourist destination. The weather is always sunny and cool, and the view is jaw-dropping amazing! And there many mountain trails that you can follow through horseback.

Also inhabited by the Guaymi, this place is an example of how people can sustain their community without harming the environment. And why would you? Boquette is just a beautiful place to live in. And I mean that with no irony. Boquete is a conservationist’s haven. Like a huge natural aviary, it is home to many bird species living in the cloud forests. You can find the prized quetzal in the forests here. Tours can be arranged through some of the coffee fincas of Boquete. These tours are designed to show tourists the origins of their coffee while watching the variety of bird life. Be sure to visit Boquete during the harvesting of coffee from October through February as the place can quite festive.

On horseback, you will come across some of the largest trees in the hemisphere. You hear the different birdcalls of exotic birds from the distance. And after that experience, you’ll finally now know how moss can drape and what the heck a “bromeliad” is. Bring a camera (preferably with zoom lens) and decent binoculars. You will need to see all the stuff happening around you that you thought you can only see in The Discovery Channel.

The Heights of Cerro Punta
Near Boquete is another small but quaint town in the western highlands of the Chiriqui province. It is a relatively new tourist destination but no less, a great place to visit and explore. It is called Cerro Punta.

Located almost 2000 meters above sea level, Cerro Punta is the highest valley in Panama. It is a bowl-shaped valley surrounded by lush mountains and one of the best trails that one can ever visit. It has always been cloudy here. Despite this, it has been one of the busiest agricultural centers in the country. Strawberries and other non-tropical fruits have also been successfully farmed here. But recently, government has stopped further deforestation to conserve the beautiful cloud forests surrounding the valley.

Following a trail, you can see many birds flying above you. Sometimes, if you stop for a while, you’ll see birds stop for a drink in the quiet pools by the banks. The air is cool and sweet. As you take everything in, you’ll be hard pressed not to feel revitalized by everything around you. You might even develop a relationship with your horse.

For more information on how you can explore the Chiriqui Province thru horseback, confer with your favorite travel agent. Or you can check out the sites here, here and here.