Boquete Mountain Safari Your Path to Adventure

Coffee Tour Boquete, Panama • Not Just a Cup of Coffee

Coffee and Boquete, Panama are synonymous. The rich volcanic valley soil combined with the high elevation and cool mountain air make Boquete one of the best places in the world to grow coffee. There are many private estates doing coffee tours; from 2 hours to 4 hours long. What is a coffee tour? The pictures below might help you understand what our coffee tour is all about. 





 

http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/index1.ht

To Book a Coffee Tour, or an Adventure Stay in Boquete Panama

Panama Coffee Soon to be a Rare Commodity

Your early morning jump start to the day is going to cost you a lot more in 2011. 

Record rainfalls during the past year have dramatically reduced coffee production in Panama.

 One major producer forecasts that prices for a pound of specialty coffee will rise as much as 20 percent in the coming months.
There are 62 coffee brands produced in Panama, mainly in Chiriquí including the famed Geisha coffee that was auctioned last year at a world record price of over $170 a pound
A normal year's coffee harvest is 186,000 quintals. This year it is expected to fall to 156,000 quintals.
Damage to the leaves of plants which have become affected by mould is the primary cause.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/business/agriculture/2198-panama-coffee-prices-heading-for-a-20-percent-increase-.html

If you are coming to Boquete, Panama book a coffee tour and buy coffee at the source.

http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html

Shade Grown Coffee from Panama Helps Sustain the Song Bird Population

As the rainy season in Panama begins to wind down, the coffee season is starting to heat up. This season has been a particularly rainy one, so the coffee is coming early. However, the fresh crop of roasted coffee is still months away. Panama's Chiriqui Highlands is home to hundreds of small estates producing some of the best coffee in the world. The elevation, climate, soil and dedication to superior coffee has made Boquete Coffee prized around the world. One reason the coffee is so good is also due to the fruit trees.

Many estates were sold off during the construction boom, only to have that industry falter and the coffee industry boom. Estates that weren't sold for development are now turning them around again for coffee. If you come to Boquete and travel to the Jarramillo side of the valley, you can walk thru hectares (or acres) of land with wild coffee and oranges. Back in the day, the orange trees and coffee plants created a symbiotic relationship to grow coffee. Much of the coffee in the Boquete Valley is shade grown by default.


Traditionally, all coffee was shade grown. Most varieties of coffee are naturally intolerant of direct sunlight, and prefer a canopy of sun-filtering shade trees. The trees not only protect the coffee from direct sun, they also mulch the soil with their fallen leaves which helps retain soil moisture. The nitrogen-fixing shade trees enhance the soil, and also provide habitat for birds. The birds in turn provide natural insect control with their constant foraging. This sustainable method of farming uses little or no chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. In 1972, new hybrid varieties of coffee were developed to help increase production of the valuable crop. These new varieties produced significantly more coffee beans, were smaller and easier to harvest, and produced best in direct sunlight. Many growers cut their shade trees and switched to the new varieties. Of the 6 million acres of coffee lands, 60% have been stripped of shade trees since 1972. Only the small, low-tech farms, often too poor to afford chemicals, preserved their shade trees. Unfortunately, the new varieties of "sun" coffee came with an additional cost: the hybrids were dependent on high doses of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Soil erosion, water runoff and soil depletion caused producers to clear vast tracts of rainforest for new soil to plant, and it became apparent that this new method of growing coffee was unsustainable. The loss of the shade trees on such a large scale also caused an estimated 20% decline in migratory bird populations in the last ten years, due to habitat loss. The diminished songbird population has been noted as far away as 1500 miles from the coffee growing regions. In 1996, the movement to support shade grown coffee was sparked by the Smithsonian Institute's Migratory Bird Center, which gathered environmentalists, farmers and coffee companies to address the problem and promote awareness of shade coffee.

Link to Smithsonian Tropical Research: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/science_article/default.cfm?id=47

Link to Shade Grown article: http://eartheasy.com/eat_shadegrown_coffee.htm

Some of the larger estates that are shade grown in Boquete are: Carmen Estate, Hacienda la Esmeralda, and Elida Estate; although there are many more.

To understand more about coffee and it's origins try a coffee tour when visiting Boquete:

http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html

 

Native Trees of Panama and the Neotropics o Árboles Nativos de Panamá y del Neotrópico

Trees palo bobo, cansaboca Guabito balo and will appear in the fifth and final issue of the series collectible Native Trees of Panama and the Neotropics Sunday 19 September in La Prensa.

Visit the project website to find this information: http://www.stri.org/espanol/arboles_panama/index.php, photo gallery and videos of the launch at the Park City Summit.

If you missed any issue, approach the main offices of The Press in the October 12 Avenue and branches of Albrook, Chitre, Santiago and David. Are available at B /. 0.75, while supplies last.

 

Los árboles palo bobo, balo y guabita cansaboca aparecerán en el quinto y último número de la serie coleccionable Árboles Nativos de Panamá y del Neotrópico este domingo 19 de septiembre en La Prensa.

 

Visite el website del proyecto para encontrar esta información complementaria: http://www.stri.org/espanol/arboles_panama/index.php, galería de fotos y videos del lanzamiento en el Parque Municipal Summit.

 

Si le faltó alguna edición, acérquese a las oficinas principales de La Prensa en la Avenida 12 de octubre y sucursales de Albrook, Chitré, Santiago y David.  Están disponibles a B/. 0.75, hasta agotar existencias.

 

!No olviden coleccionarlos!

 

 

Panama Coffee Growers Try to Make a Difference

Boquete, Panama has some of the most expensive, and best, coffee in the world. The volcanic soil combined with the elevation and micro climates is the perfect environment for growing coffee. Over the past few years with the increased awareness of a 'good cup of coffee', some of Boquete's growers have realized a little more money in their pockets. With the help of the world market some of the small growers are trying to pass some of the profits on to the workers. The article below by Nicki Lisa Cole, in Conducive Mag, explains how difficult it is to actually make money as a small farmer in the coffee business. Many famers in Panama have sold out to developers, and some of the small estates are barely breaking even. However, that hasn't stopped Price Peterson, of Hacienda la Esmeralda, the winner of the most expensive coffee bought at auction, from putting people first: 

"First comes sustainability of people. Our business practices must always be such that our products will readily sell at a level which will keep everyone (owners and workers) fed, clothed, educated and in good health. Beyond that we strive that everyone has a degree of security in their lives to permit a home and a pension at retirement. When this degree of sustainability of people is defined, the rest tends to follow as day the night."

 He is not the only coffee estate owner to put best prectices first. Rich Lipner, of Finca Dos Jefes and Ricardo Koyner, of Kotowa coffee, provide above average living quarters for their workers, and Ricardo includes health care and education.

It also helps the smaller farmers, when you visit Boquete and tour the smaller estates, to buy coffee at the source. Thereby enabling the farmers to actually sell their coffee locally, and realize the end of market price; which is much greater than selling green and having the middle men along the way take the largest chunck of change.

To better understand the coffee market read Nicki's article:

What’s Behind Your Cup of Joe?

By Nicki Lisa Cole

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 CONDUCIVE

According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the U.S. is the world’s leading importer of coffee, bringing in over 3 billion pounds of “green,” or pre-roasted coffee in 2009, which accounts for about a quarter of global imports. An annual telephone survey conducted by the National Coffee Association found that 126 million adults drink coffee everyday, each consuming an average of 3.3 cups daily. If you do the math, that translates to over 415 million cups of coffee drunk everyday. Where does all this coffee come from? According to ICO statistics for 2009, Brazil is the largest exporter, accounting for nearly a quarter of all exports. The second largest exporter is Vietnam, constituting 19.4%, followed by Colombia (9%) and Indonesia (8.7%). Peru, Honduras, India, and Guatemala each account for about 4%, Uganda and Ethiopia produce 3.5% each, while Mexico accounts for about 2.4%. Nicaragua and Costa Rica each contribute 1.5%, while Papua New Guinea, El Salvador, Kenya and Ecuador register at just under 1% each.

Despite the fact that most of us do not think about coffee in terms of numbers, these numbers are worthy of attention, as they signal the global economic significance of the coffee market. In more ways than one, coffee fuels the global economy and the system of capitalist production and consumption. In fact, it has been an important piece of this system since capitalism was introduced to the global stage. This history of coffee is one filled with mistreatment of both people and land. It took hold as a major global cash crop thanks to slave labor during the colonial era, and evidence of this legacy is visible today in very low wages and poverty level living conditions of coffee farmers and pickers around the world. Consumer awareness and industry concern led to the creation of ethical sourcing models like Fair Trade during the late 1990s, and today consumers have a variety of options if they wish to make an ethical coffee purchase. In my next article, the differences between certifications and sourcing models will be explored, and the truth behind these labels revealed. But first, let’s consider the history of the coffee we drink today.

For the complete article: http://www.conducivemag.com/2010/08/what%E2%80%99s-behind-your-cup-of-joe/

To schedule a tour with one of the small farmers in Boquete: http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html

A portion of the tour fee goes directly to the farmer.

BOQUETE, A Shangri-La of coffee amid cool, green mountains

Sherman's Travel Magazine, Spring 2010 • Sherman's Spotlight on Panama • By Victoria De Silverio

 

Tucked in the green Talamanca highlands on the western flank of Panama near the Costa Rican border, the winsome hamlet of Boquete enjoys springtime climes year round. And, with its cheerful avarian style cottages dotting the flowery hillsides, Boquete resembles an off-season Swiss ski village. In town, modest churches mingle with boutiques and cafés, and outfitters offer white-water rafting, hiking and birding excursions.
 But there are many happy reminders that one is in Panama, such as men crowding stands selling lottery tickets; indigenous Ngöbe-Buglé women in brightly colored embroidered dresses; and mules hauling sacks of coffee, the region’s most celebrated asset.

 

Conquistadors and gold rushers used the valley as a shortcut (boquete means “gap” or “opening”), and by 1911 Europeans had settled the town. Among them was Norwegian Tollef B. Monniche, who designed the Panama Canal’s emergency dams and founded Finca Lérida, now one of Boquete’s largest coffee plantations. Boquete’s alpine microclimates and rich volcanic soil are ideal for producing high-quality beans. In 2007, a pound of rare Panamanian geisha beans sold at an auction for an unprecedented $130, and last year prices hit $300. Smooth and sweet with notes of honey, lemongrass, lavender, jasmine, tangerine, and tea, the coffee brewed from geisha beans is singular.

 

To understand what makes Boquete coffee so special, visit some of its small family owned estates. On a Boquete Mountain Safari coffee-tasting tour,(507-6627-8829; http://www.boquetmountainsafaritours.com) guests get a closeup view of artisanal coffee production, from the bean planting to roasting, and then they taste the brew.

 

“Coffee is like a mystery,” says Finca la Milagrosa owner Tito Vargas, a local with the dirt-stained hands of a farmer and the dark steady eyes of a mystic. He named his farm Milagrosa (“miraculous”) because naysayers doubted he could grow anything on a depleted 20-acre plot with his machines made of spare parts—like the grinder that relies on a car transmission. But the proof lies in Milagrosa’s delicious coffee. At organic farm Finca Dos Jefes, California-born owner Rich Lipner sprays the trees with a brew of molasses, phosphorus, and nitrogen, and cultivates the fields according to the lunar calendar. Boquete Mountain Safari tours culminate at Finca Lérida with a cupping, a professional tasting to evaluate the aroma, body, and flavor profile of several varietals, hosted by the operation’s head of quality control Andrès Lopez. Visitors gain an appreciation for coffee’s complexity along with a quickened pulse.

 

http://www.shermanstravel.com/spotlights/Panama/Boquete

Geotourism and the Authentic Panama

I always enjoy reading Matt Landau's blog "The Panama Report". His writing is honest and often very witty. He recently wrote an article about what 'geotourism' is and how it relates to your vacation in Panama.

Written by Matt Landau   

Monday, 17 May 2010 14:28

From the humble setting of Maria Chefa’s dining room table, Dan Britt and his girlfriend Reagan Merril, two vacationing Manhattanites eating at this – a fantastically untouristy lunch spot in Panama City’s historic district – may not realize it or not, but they are part of an emerging group of geotourists: a relatively new industry term for travel that focuses on a destination’s unique culture and authenticity value.

Along the same lines of the sustainable and eco-tourism brands that have come to characterize countries like Kenya and Costa Rica, geotourism is defined by the community, the integrity, and the educational or informative aspects offered by a particular destination: all of which create an experience that is richer than the sum of its parts.

For the compete article:

http://www.thepanamareport.com/travel/tourism/geotourism-in-panama.html

 

Equine Encephalomyelitis Hits Panama's Horses • But Not Boquete Safari's

More commonly known as "sleeping sickness," this disease is caused by the Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus or the Eastern version (EEE). WEE has been noted throughout North America, while EEE appears in the east and southeast. VEE, the Venezuelan variety, has not been seen in the United States for many years. However, a recent outbreak of VEE occurred in Mexico. Sleeping sickness is most often transmitted by mosquitoes, after the insects have acquired the virus from birds and rodents. Humans also are susceptible when bitten by an infected mosquito, but direct horse-to-horse or horse-to-human transmission is very rare.

All horses need an EEE and WEE vaccine at least annually. Which is why the outbreak in Panama has been so devastating for the horse population near the Darien, where the indigenous population cannot afford the vaccine.

Although the outbreak seems to be focused in the Darien, where mosquitoes are more abundant, the entire country is on alert. All horses have been quarantined, unless they have received the vaccination. In other words, horses cannot be moved around the country, rodeos and horse shows have been cancelled.

The Boquete Safari horses have received 2 doses of vaccines. That is why, while other tour companies in Boquete, who offer horseback riding, are not conducting business now, our horses are healthy and touring.

You can often find Horseback Riding in Latin American countries for little money, but the money that you pay for the tour is rarely going for the care of the horses. You save a little money, but you are only promoting the animal (horse) neglect that is so rampant in countries like Panama.

Tourists who decide to book their Horseback Riding adventures with Boquete Safari are always commenting on how healthy our horses are. After riding in Costa Rica, or other Latin American countries, they seem truly amazed that the horses are actually ‘plump’.

Before you set out on a Horseback Riding excursion, take a look at the horses. Support the companies who are investing in their most precious commodity—The Horses.

 

To see pictures of our horses or for more information about us and our very special friends:

http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/horsebackridingpanama.html

 

 

 

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Hoof Beats

Horseback Riding in the Mountains of Boquete

Hit the trail on our new riding adventure.

Most of the horseback riding in the highlands of Boquete actually takes place in Caldera--a 40+ minute ride from Boquete, and a much hotter climate. Our new adventure is only a short jeep ride up the mountain side to our farm. There you will saddle up and head out along the top of the mountain ridge, with views of the Volcan Baru, Pacific, and the valley of Boquete. Enjoy the views and the lush rainforest filled with butterflies and birds that have made Boquete famous as a 'birding' destination.

You can also add a Coffee Tasting to this 1/2 day tour, our favorite Coffee Estate is just around the corner.

http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/horsebackridingpanama.html

Smithsonian Tropical Research Panama, Explores the Mushroom

XXXVIII CHARLA SMITHSONIAN DEL MES, COLON“

Hongoaventuras” en Isla Galeta: Exploracion cientificaía traves del manglar

Expositores: Almunosdel Colegio Ebenezer y Becarios “James Currie” 2010

Los hongos son seres vivos fascinantes y enigmáticos. Las formas de hongos que conocemos en el planeta van desde minúsculas levaduras, utilizadas en la industria cervecera, hasta macrohongos que observamos con facilidad en un bosque tropical. Sin embargo,poco se conoce sobre su diversidad y, especialmente, sobre las condiciones ambientales que los hacen prosperar.

Seis estudiantes y dos profesores del Colegio Ebenezer de la provinciade Colón se preguntaron si existía mayor diversidad de hongos en los bosques húmodos o en los bosques de manglares que rodean el paisaje protegido de Isla Galeta.

Los resultados de esta investigación revelaron la presencia de 20 especies de hongos en los manglares y 100 en bosques húmedos adyacentes a Punta Galet. ¡Nunca se es demasiado joven para realizar investigación científica!

Fecha: jueves 24 de junio de 2010
Hora: 7:00 p.m.
Lugar: Hotel Meliá Panamá Canal
Transporte desde el Centro Regional Universitario
de Colón y entrada: Gratis

Presentador:
Dr. Stanley Heckadon - Moreno
Consultas a: galeta@si.edu
212-8192/8191

World Record Price for Panama Geisha Coffee

Boquete, Panama coffee does it again.

The "Esmeralda Special" Geisha variety re-heated the coffee market this week by breaking the world price record at $170.20 a pound. In the online auction "Best of Panama 2010, Japanese Coffee House Sazae purchased eight 50 lb bags of coffee worth $ 68,080.

 Panamanian Geisha Coffee has won first place at the auctions for six consecutive years auction in Boquete, Chiriqui "Achieving a world record price puts Panama on the map for the best coffees in the world," said Rachel Peterson, owner of Hacienda La Esmeralda. "With this we tell the world that we have a coffee with great attributes," she said.

In the online auction which lasted two hours, 20 lots of the best varieties in the country were trades with purchasers from Japan, Korea, Sweden and the United States.

The total turnover for the 20 lots was $ 148,197 and the average auction price was $12.45.

Richard Koyna, president of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama, said the aim of the auction is to sell small lots, but at high prices.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/business/1245-world-record-price-for-panama-geisha-coffee.html

The article above is re-printed from the "Newsroom Panama".

For Coffee tours in Panama: http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html

For Hacienda La Esmeralda:  http://www.haciendaesmeralda.com/

Vampires Attack Boquete, Panama

The blog below is totally true. This is not a fictitious dramatization.

When I saw the blood oozing from those two little skin pricks I was horrified. Here was one of my beloved companions totally oblivious to the vampire attack.

Movie capture : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NosferatuShadow.jpg Shadow of Count Orlock, in the film Nosferatu

I had several thoughts at once: "How do I stop this from happening to the others? ; What kind of treatment is available? ; Will I be able to find the vampire bats that did this?"

Yes, Vampire Bats.

For those of you in Central or South America, vampire bats attacking livestock--cows, pigs, or horses--is not uncommon. We know they are there, we hear about an animal being attacked, or see it on National Geographic or Discovery. But when I spotted the first bite on my beloved horse Sugar I thought, "Oh No".

Over the next couple of days all but one of the horses at my pasture had been bitten, at least once. The only horse that seemed to escape was my little "Stinker"--could be the bats recognized a tough bite also. So the on line and networking research began. The more I dug in to the internet, through University studies, the more horrified for the horses I became. Until I received a couple of e-mails from a friend who has lived in Panama his whole life; and also has cows and horses. And also from a web site in Costa Rica explaining about the habits of the vampire bat.

The legends are true, they do come out during the full moon, and attack livestock. They can spread rabies to the animals that have been bitten, so vaccinating against rabies is essential. Thank goodness all of our horses have been vaccinated. Another source explained that a bite from a non-rabid bat is no more serious than a mosquito. I have to say that the blood dripping down the horses neck makes one think it is a little more serious than that.

But the treatments advised by my friend and the helpful site in Costa Rica have, for now, stopped the onslaught.

This is the treatment that seemed to help:

1. Dab the wound with Hydrogen-Peroxide, to stop any infection

2. Wash around the area with Alcohol to remove any urine left by the bat. After biting they urinate so they can find their way back to the same great spot the next night.

3. Apply Gel Vampirisan around the wound, to repel and kill them once they clean themselves. I guess they spend a lot of time cleaning.

4. Spray the target areas with Iodine. It seems that they don't like the taste or smell. Spray neck, butt, legs,...

So far this seems to be working. Unless they have just gone back to the bat cave until the next full moon.

PS: I have also heard that the local farm ministry, MIDA, during a full moon, will come out and do a capture for free.

This has all just been a little too creepy for me.

 

Television Crew Searches Panama For Perfect Cup of Coffee

Boquete Mountain Panama - Paradise On Earth

Myste and her crew traveled the width and breath of Panama on a scouting trip in search of adventure and the perfect cup of coffee, and she found it all in the Boquete Mountain region of Panama.

Region Touts the Best & Most Expensive Coffee

Our travels took us to "heaven on earth" located in the Boquete Mountain region of Panama.  We stayed at the best kept secret in all of Central America, Valle Escondido Resort, a hide away cut out of the jungle that offered all the comforts of a first class golf and spa resort.  Our gracious hosts Sam and Thalia Taliaferro took us under their wings and gave us advice on everything ranging from where to find the best coffee in the world to investment opportunities in the paradisaical retreat.

One referral was Ricardo Koyner, President of Kotowa Coffee.  Ricardo is a third generation coffee grower in Boquete, and his plantations win awards year after year.  His plantation grows the rare Geisha coffee, and arguably markets the most expensive cup of coffee in the world; "VOGO" $500 per champagne sized bottle sold only in Japan.

Our guide for adventure was Boquete Mountain Safari Tours, who took us four wheeling all over the mountain.  Owner Bradd Ferrias is the perfect guide for exciting fun and serene beauty. 

 

We could have listened for days to Sam, Thalia, Ricardo and Brad tout the amazing history of Panama, the wonders of the Boquete area, and its fine coffee.  And, we will when we return the end of April to shoot the Panama episode of Myste Buzzed on Paradise.  

Photos and Article by the Myste Crew.

Contact Information

Info@CoffeeLoverGuide.com

www.CoffeeLoverGuide.com

702-560-3144

 

 

Myste and the crew will return to Boquete Mountain and Panama City to complete the filming of Myste Buzzed on Paradise and to crown the Most Beautiful Latina in Panama at the Fiesta Casino in Panama City on April 24, 2010. 

After Panama, Myste is off to the Blue Mountains of Jamaica for the third in a series of six shows covering the best coffee regions in the world. Myste returns to Costa Rica on June 4 - 6, to help host the Fiesta Cup Golf Tournament for Charity, and put the finishing touches on the Costa Rica show. Other countries visited in 2010 will include Guatemala, the Antiqua region, Brazil, and Peru. 

Global Geotourism & National Geographic

Ecotourism has been the travel buzz word for many years. Ecotourism (also known as ecological tourism) is travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale.Since the publication of her excellent book "Ecotourism and Sustainable Development" Martha Honey's definition is quickly becoming the standard. Most serious studies of ecotourism including several University programs now use this as the working definition.(the following links help further define ecotourism) http://www.untamedpath.com/Ecotourism/defining.html#definingtop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism#cite_note-1

Agritourism, the next tourism buzz, (although pick-your-own fruits and vegetables has been around since the 60's), includes any farm open to the public at least part of the year. Tourists can pick fruits and vegetables, ride horses, taste honey, learn about wine or coffee, shop in farm gift shops and farm stands for local and regional produce or hand-crafted gifts. Other terms associated with agritourism are "farm direct marketing", "sustainable agriculture" and "agritainment". (Taken from Wikipedia definition of agritourism) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agritourism  

Now we have Geotourism as defined by National Geographic; National Geographic defines geotourism as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.” The DubaiChronicle (http://www.dubaichronicle.com/business/hospitality/intercontinental-hotels-resorts-and-national-geographic-extend-partnership-to-include-global-geotourism-initiatives-12582 recently announced a partnership between National Geographic, using their definition of geotourism, and the InterContinental Hotel Chain around the world. Jonathan Tourtellot, Director of the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations (CSD) and creator of the geotourism concept, said: “CSD is dedicated to protecting the world’s distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship. We work closely with many allied organizations to develop and disseminate information on how tourism businesses, destination communities and travellers can help protect the character of these great places — their culture, natural habitats, architecture, scenery, even local cuisine. We look forward to working with InterContinental to create actionable tools that do that — locally, regionally and globally.” There are two InterContinental Hotels in Panama that will be part of this initiative to perserve and raise awareness of the Panamanian heritage and history. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/intercontinental-hotel-directory

(Photo Jonathan Tourtellot-National Geographic) http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/gallery/geotourism_community-benefit-csd.html 

Roast Your Own Coffee at a High Elevation Organic Coffee Estate

Boquete Safari has added another totally unique coffee experience to your stay in Panama. The most popular tour in Boquete seems to be one that involves tasting some of the best coffee in the world. Cafe Ruiz, Kotowa, and Finca Lerida are the most popular names tossed around when someone inquires about a coffee tour. We started the first 3 finca coffee tour, designed after the Napa Valley wine tours and the Kona coffee tours in Hawaii.

Now one of our favorite coffee estates has started a tour that not only involves learning about the coffee process, the farm, the bean, but how to roast your own coffee. Before you begin your roasting experience you will have the opportunity to taste different coffees that have been roasted for different lengths of time, determining the color, taste and aroma of the coffee. Once your personal preference has been established, your hands on experience begins. Cafe de la Luna is a small organic coffee estate owned and operated by Rich Lipner, and ex-pat from the United States. His passion for coffee and knowledge about the process will amaze even the most educated coffee aficionado.

To read more about the coffee tour: http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeeroastingtour.html

Boquete, Panama: An emerging market in Agricultural Tourism (Part 1)

Ecotourism has been the "buzz" word for responsible travel related activities for a while; if you are looking for travel that supports the local economy, take a look at "Agritourism" Travel. When you search for Agri-tourism destinations on the internet, you will not find Panama on page one, or page two; although agriculture is 6.8% of GDP in Panama, compared to 1.2% in the U.S.; and is ranked by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) as one of the top performing tourist markets and destinations in the world. The two most popular searches for Agricultural Tourism on the internet are Hawaii and California . Not surprisingly because of Kona Coffee and Napa Valley, respectively.

In a country that receives the highest price per pound for coffee, at auction, Panama should be at the top of the list for Agi-tourism as well. However, unlike Hawaii, Panama ’s economy was not built on agriculture and tourism. Panama’s history has been somewhat tumultuous; dictators, coup d'état, revolutions, and of course the Canal. The Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, container ports, and flagship registry have been at the heart of Panama’s service economy. Over the past few years there has been a sizable shift in the influx of dollars as Panama

is emerging as a world class tourist destination, and not just in Panama Cityand the Canal Zone, but to the Western Highlands, and the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. In spite of the global financial crisis, according to the outgoing tourism Minister Ruben Blades, tourism has grown 11.7% bringing in $2.2 billion.

Panama’s most dramatic growth is expected to be in the “Ecotourism” sector. With 29 percent of the countries territory protected by 15 National Parks, Wildife Refuges, and Reserves; it is one of the most comprehensive wildlife management systems in Central America. This tiny isthmus has more bird species than North America and Europe combined.

Over the past few years, the charming little village of Boquete, in the mountain highlands of Panama, has become an expat haven. To accommodate all the new arrivals, developments have sprung up all over the valley. Many of the coffee farms have been sold to make way for development. And then BOOM, La Hacienda Esmeralda coffee takes first place by the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and snags $130 a pound green at auction.

Panama coffee has hit the International market by storm. The coffee that made this incredible buzz is a variety called Geisha. Not a new variety, originally from Ethiopia . But the micro-climates in Boquete and the different processing have made it unique to Panama . Now, all the coffee farmers are excited, everybody is planting a little Geisha on their farm hoping to be the next “Best in the World”.

http://www.portfolio.com/culture-lifestyle/culture-inc/food-drink/2007/09/13/Most-Expensive-Coffee

This is Part 1 in a series about Boquete, Panama and Agri-tourism. Click the "All About Coffee" link in categories to read part 2; or click the link below.

http://boquetesafaritours.typepad.com/boquete_mountain_safari_t/all-about-coffee/

Coffee Roasting in Boquete, Panama

Boquete is known for its coffee; and the best way to experience all the fabulous flavors, and nuances, is to take a coffee tour while visiting. To experience just one coffee, however, will not do justice to the myriad of flavors. Boquete Safari http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html has designed a coffee tour with the connoisseur in mind. They visit 3 different estates so you can taste, and buy right at the estate, from different micro-climates. The Micro climates are one of the reasons that coffee is so good in Panama. High in the mountains, growing in volcanic soil, the coffee growth and textures change from one side of the valley to the other. http://www.panamaspecialtycoffee.com/ 

If you want to really learn the entire coffee process, incuding how to roast, Dos Jefes offers a "Roasting Tour". http://www.boqueteguide.com/?p=3967 

Agro-tourism farms in Coclé

I have posted several articles about AgriTourism in Boquete, Panama as an emerging maket. Here is an article about another Province in Panama also promoting Agro or Agri tourism. AgriTourism is not just about coffee or wine, but about any tourism related activity that allows one to experience, and help support, the local farmers. AgriTourism is a truly grass roots cultural experience. (English translated below by Google)

FROM: Turismo Presna.com by Rafael Quezada July 25, 2009

Las fincas agroturísticas en Coclé

Rafael Quezada
Especial para La Prensa

Las fincas agroturísticas son una actividad que cobra popularidad. Se les denomina también agroturismo y consiste en efectuar giras a granjas, plantaciones, senderos, entre otras.

Es una forma práctica y amena de dar a conocer al turista los atributos agrícolas de las regiones del interior del país. Se requiere de una dosis de tiempo y paciencia para conocer  las pequeñas fincas.

Una de las personas que participa en esa actividad es Eulalio Martínez, quien tiene su finca en el área norte de la provincia de Coclé.
 Martínez se levanta muy temprano con su pequeño radio a escuchar noticias de todo el mundo, pero siempre con el afán de oír algo nuevo e innovador relacionado con el campo.

 Es tenaz y toda su vida ha sido agricultor. Empezó cultivando granos, verduras y tubérculos, como la yuca y el ñame, para el sustento familiar.

 Aprendió sobre el manejo de la tierra por los consejos de un amigo, y el patio de su casa lo ha convertido en una finca en donde tiene desde una rosa hasta plantas de café, cítricos, guandú  y granadillas.

 Recuerda  que su amor por ver producir la tierra creció cuando un día escuchó algo en la radio sobre la granadilla.

 Una emisora suramericana (que no recuerda su nombre) mencionaba que la granadilla es una de las frutas que tiene mayores posibilidades de crecer en el mercado internacional, porque es un fruto que no se obtiene con facilidad.

 Hoy ya tiene una parcela preparada al turismo con 200 plantas, que le producen unos 2 mil frutos al año.

 La granadilla es una fruta aromática y sabrosa por la combinación de su dulzura y acidez, y tanto el fruto como las hojas tienen propiedades medicinales. Todo eso se prueba en mi finca, comentó el agricultor.

 Las fincas agroturísticas ahora forman parte del modelo de esparcimiento que se le ofrece a los turistas.

 Durante los tres primeros meses del año, la actividad toma fuerza y muchos de los dueños de fincas obtienen algunos ingresos por la demostración de sus habilidades al cultivar y procesar algunos productos de sus cosechas, o al mostrar los tesoros de la naturaleza.

Las fincas ya forman parte de un programa nacional en ejecución; son una alternativa al turismo de las cuatro paredes.
 Hay alrededor de 25 fincas ya inscritas en todo el país.

La idea es explotar la producción  agrícola regional y llevarla al plano turístico, dice el agricultor Pablo Bernal.
 Unas 4 mil personas visitan el área playera de Coclé cada año. El objetivo es atraer a los turistas para que visiten el campo y conozcan algo novedoso para ellos.

 Moler la caña de azúcar para extraer su jugo a través de un trapiche de palo y luego procesarlo en otros subproductos le encanta al turista, indica Natalio Murillo, quien recibe todos los años varios paseos de  turistas extranjeros en su finca en Antón.

 En su finca, Murillo produce el jugo o guarapo de caña y elabora distintos tipos de dulces, combinando el jugo con algunas frutas.  
  En las granjas, hay cultivo de hortalizas, frutas y un espacio para elaborar toda la gastronomía regional, explica Murillo.

 Por su experiencia en esta actividad, afirma que el turista desea salir al campo, conocer la idiosincrasia de los pueblos y palpar qué hace su gente.

 Es típico encontrar en la campiña a gente cargando sus cosechas en motetes, cortando el arroz con ganchos manuales, moliendo caña, cultivando frutas, en la ceba de animales domésticos y preparando alimentos con verduras y frutas.

http://turismo.prensa.com/content.asp?id=69&sec=16

Farm agro-tourism is an activity that becomes popular. They also called agritourism, and is making trips to farms, plantations, walkways, among others.

 

It is a practical and fun to make the tourist attributes of the agricultural regions of the country. Requires a dose of time and patience to find small farms. One of the people involved in that activity is Eulalio Martinez, who has his farm in the northern province of Cocle. Martinez was up early with her small radio to hear news from around the world, but always with the desire to hear something new and innovative related field. Began cultivating grains, vegetables and tubers such as cassava and yams for the family.

He learned about the management of land by the advice of a friend, and the backyard has turned into a farm where they are from a rose to plant coffee, citrus, and Granadillas Guandu.

Remember that your love to see occur when the earth grew one day I heard something on the radio about the fruit.

 A South American station (which does not remember his name) mentioned that the fruit is a fruit that has a better chance to grow in the international market, because it is a fruit that is not obtained easily.

Today it has a lot on tourism prepared with 200 plants, which produce fruit at about 2 thousand years.

The fruit is aromatic and flavorful fruit by the combination of sweetness and acidity, and both the leaves and fruit have medicinal properties. All this is proof in my farm, the farmer said.

Agro-tourism farms are now part of the entertainment model that offers to tourists.

During the first three months of the year, activity and strength takes many farm owners to get some income by demonstrating their ability to grow and process some of their crops, or to show the treasures of nature.

Farms are already part of a national program in execution, they are an alternative to the four walls of tourism. There are about 25 farms registered in the country.

The idea is to exploit regional agricultural production and bring the tourist map, says the farmer Paul Bernal. About 4 thousand people visit the beach area of Coclé each year. The aim is to attract tourists to visit the area and know something new for them.

Grinding sugar cane to extract its juice through a stick of sugar mill and then processed into other products to tourists loves indicates Natalio Murillo, who receives every year a number of foreign tourists rides in his farm in Anton.

At his farm, Murillo guarapo produced the juice or cane and produces various types of sweets, combining the juice with some fruit. On farms, are growing vegetables, fruit and a space to develop any regional cuisine, says Murillo.

Because of his experience in this activity, says that the tourist wants to leave the field, know the idiosyncrasies of people and feel what its people.

It is typical to find people in the countryside carrying their harvests motets, cutting rice with hooks manuals, grinding cane, growing fruits in the fattening of domestic animals and prepare foods with vegetables and fruits.

Boquete, Panama: An emerging market in Agricultural Tourism (Part 2)

Most visitors to Napa Valley, for wine tastings, or Kona in Hawaii, for coffee tastings, probably don’t view themselves as Agri-Tourists. They are either enjoying the beautiful scenery as they drive to different estates; or they are on a mission to find the best wine or coffee, that no one else can find. Napa Valley, in California, is one of the most successful examples of Agri-tourism. Napa has gone as far as declaring itself an “agricultural preserve”. The economy in Hawaii was actually built around agriculture and tourism; sugar cane and pineapple. However, with some brilliant marketing, and award winning coffee, Kona Coffee, as a symbol of Hawaii, has replaced the pineapple. (To understand the Kona/Panama connection, and the “marketing” issue; read this blog article: http://boquetesafaritours.typepad.com/boquete_mountain_safari_t/2008/08/kona-coffee-scandal-know-the-origin.html

The blending of agriculture and tourism is beneficial for the health of agricultural land; and provides a more enriching experience for the tourist. Hawaii has embraced the Ag Tourism experience. When you type “Kona coffee tours” in your search engine, the selection, scope, and variety of tours is mammoth. The total value of agritourism in the state of Hawaii [in 2000] was pegged at $26 million. Approximately 1,350,401 visitors toured the Kona side of the Big Island in 2007. (How many of them are experiencing the coffee tours is a statistic I cannot find.) The State of Hawaii has realized the benefit of Agitourism to its economy. They are considering legislation to encourage tourism on agriculturally zoned land. Activities on ag land, to supplement income, can range from conducting tours, selling products produced from the land, or operating a B & B. By selling the roasted coffee at the estate, 100% of the added value of the roasted product can stay in Hawaii.

 Coffee production in Panama generates approximately $32 million dollars in revenue, and creates about 8,750 jobs. The Chiriqui Province alone is growing coffee on 10,000 hectares (there are about 2.5 acres per hectares; so that means about 25,000 acres), with elevations starting at about 4,000 feet. The total Kona coffee area is about 2,290 acres, with elevations between 500 and 3,000 feet. So what do all these numbers mean? That Boquete’s coffee growing area, due to its greater size, and higher elevation, can provide a more diverse experience for the agritourist. Boquete’s rich volcanic valley has many different micro-climates that allow for the production of coffee with an array of flavorful and aromatic differences. Although Boquete coffee has won countless awards world wide, surpassing Kona coffee accolades, the marketing of Boquete Coffee Tours has not reached the world market, as Kona has. Tourists travel to Kona just for the coffee; or Napa just for the wine. If Boquete Coffee, as an agritourist destination, could capture some of the 1.3m guests who visit Kona each year, the Boquete farmer would not be selling his coffee green for $1.00 or $2.50 a pound ( http://forest.mtu.edu/pcforestry/people/2005/Daniels.pdf. ) Single Estate specialty coffee from Panama sells in the United States, on line, for $7.00 to $12.00 a pound. This added value, by roasting and packaging in the area it is grown, could remain in Panama to enrich the local farmers, instead of the international market. http://www.coffeefrompanama.com/Gourmet_Estate_Coffee_s/1.htm

Please don’t misunderstand me, the numerous internet coffee houses selling Panama coffee has enhanced the awareness of the brand “Panama Coffee”. However, many of the small farmers don’t have the money to promote their ‘brand’ like Ruiz, Kotowa, or Hacienda la Esmerlada http://www.haciendaesmeralda.com/ .  So they are forced to roll their crop in to a larger companies exports, and not realize the added revenue they could be receiving.

Several years ago, on my first visit to Panama, I stayed at Finca Lerida. Since it is high in the mountains, the evenings were spent chatting with John Collins (the owner of Finca Lerida) about coffee. Since he is a born talker, and has an incessant passion for coffee, I learned a lot. And one of the first things I learned was that Boquete could and should be like Kona and Napa. The coffee is here; the quality is here; the passion for coffee is here; we just don’t have the marketing dollars. With the new administration, and some of the Boquete locals pushing to get Panama City politicians to remember Boquete, when deciding on where to put those marketing dollars; there is hope that they will look past the Canal and the Free Trade Zone, and see the potential market and dollars in the Boquete Valley.

My company, Boquete Mountain Safari, has always known of the possibility of this emerging agritourist market; so we have started the first, Kona/Napa type of coffee tour in Boquete. Now we just need the international market to take a look.

http://www.boquetemountainsafaritours.com/coffeetours.html

The picture above is Tito from Finca la Milagrosa; learning to make coffee, on one of our coffee tours. You get to meet and talk with the owner of the coffee estate.

From Review: A must do when in Boquete on Feb 2009, (Jklam)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298424-d1070367-Reviews-Boquete_Mountain_Safari_Tours-Boquete.html#REVIEWS

To read part 1; click "All About Coffee" in the Categories section.