Thread: Chiriqui Quick Facts

The only volcano in Panama is located in thise province. The Volcan Baru, which has now become dormant can be found in the westernmost province of Chiriqui. David is the capital city of Chiriqui. While Boquete is one of the oldest and most popular expat havens. It is situated in the Eastern slope of the Baru Volcano. This town is most popular for the Flower and Coffee Fair which happens in the month of January. Another flower events in this town is the Orchid show held in the month of April. Chiriqui is along the Pan American Highway.

Thank you for providing us with these facts. I wonder how this province got its name. It is quite interesting. I think I have heard of this name before as a name of one of the characters in a Japanese anime I was watching.

According to old Panamanian stories, Chiriqui was originally named "Cherokee". I didn't understand the story quite well so I rather not try telling you. But it is actually a Guayme name meaning Valley of the Moon.

Originally Posted by oopsie-daisy

According to old Panamanian stories, Chiriqui was originally named "Cherokee". I didn't understand the story quite well so I rather not try telling you. But it is actually a Guayme name meaning Valley of the Moon.

Thanks for the information oopsie. It is really interesting how a place got its name. I wonder why they used that word as the basis for the name. Is it a valley that seems to be near the moon?

Valley of the Moon... That's a very interesting name. I wonder what was meant by it. Does anyone know? I know what a valley is. I know what the moon is. I don't know what a valley of the moon is though.

good morning O-D et al

I'm a brand new guy to this forum and looking to make contact with local folks in the Chiriqui region somewhere around Boquete (I think ?)

where do you live Oopsie ?

Hey Bob, are you looking to move to Boquete? I am liable to be living there the first half of 2008. It really is easy to make friends in Panama with both the locals and most of the other people that are moving there. I will be down in Panama on Saturday and will be in Boquete next weekend. If you want to give me a shout. I actually just noticed that you live in Costa Rica, many people are leaving for Panama.

we have decided to sell our property in Costa Rica for several reasons and when that is completed we will rethink Costa Rica versus Panama - many dynamics have changed since we have been in CR these past four years

main concerns are medications for our daughter being redially available and no heating or air conditioning - Bouquete at 4200 ft elevation may be a bit chilly at night ? - we are at 2850 ft in CR and need only a light quilt at night

we want to get to know some Panama folk via this forum and start our investigation - si ?

Very good, I originally was looking at CR a few years ago but then I started hearing things about Panama. It really still is an undiscovered place although that is changing quickly. I think you will find the infrastructure is probably better than CR. If you move to a place like Boquete or Volcan you will be quite satisfied with the weather. It is in the high 60's at nite and 80's during the day, all year long. You are still very close to either ocean and it would also allow you to drive to the Pacific in 45min or Bocas (Caribbean) within 5 hrs. It is a truly great place to live. Boquete has gotten overpriced but that is due to overspeculation so prices will come down. You can still live for cheap in either town. Volcan is not as "Disney-Fied", still very local, very nice people.

to give you our perspective, we lived in Medellin Colombia for a few years and then in La Herradura Spain for several years before moving to Costa Rica - we want to find the weather of Medellin and availability of Spain for health support - I would live in Medellin forever if they could figure out how to get rid of the drug guys and killers - what a waste !!!

I agree, I have done research on just about every country south of Texas. Colombia is a really really nice piece of real estate. Bogota has over 7 million people just in that city alone and I heard it is very beautiful. If it only wasn't for the fact it is such a huge drug production and politically unstable country I would consider moving there. That is what makes Panama unique, it is stable politically, everybody wants to use the canal and banking, international hub of trade, one of a kind as far as Latin America goes. Panama does not have a military, nobody would dare invade because China and the USA would put the fear of God into anybody that would try.

Originally Posted by GringoBob

to give you our perspective, we lived in Medellin Colombia for a few years and then in La Herradura Spain for several years before moving to Costa Rica - we want to find the weather of Medellin and availability of Spain for health support - I would live in Medellin forever if they could figure out how to get rid of the drug guys and killers - what a waste !!!

It's hard to get rid of the drug guys because there is so much drug money that can be used to corrupt the politicians, police, and such.

Yep, the world is imperfect.

actually, from our point of view, Bogota is too damned cold - temperature and people - it is the center of wannabe "upper crust" snobs and the poorest folks in the streets -

one piece of irony though - the 'haves' live in the valleys and the 'have nots' live high on the hill - they can't seem to figure out the 'have nots' dont have money for toilets or drain fields so guess what they do in the streams feeding city water - duh ???

I used to be subscribed to a Colombian forum, it was very active and made for some real interesting reading.

Was the Columbian forum in English? Are you from Columbia?

thanks oopsie-daisy, i didn't know this much about chirqui, though i visited there once...great job...

Chirqui? where is it situated?
anyone have the map to go there?

oh thanks for the info,i didn't knew about it but now i do.

Originally Posted by nuaeman

Chirqui? Where is it situated?
Anyone have the map to go there?

Here's your map for Panama with Chiriqui clearly shown, and here's a link for info about Chiriqui: ChiriquÃ* Province - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Cheers.

My visit in January 2006 was grand. I could live in Chiriqui. At 54, I prefer independant living. Found a beach near Boca Chica that is spectacular. Downside/Upside is that it is 1hour, at least, to David and shopping. I doubt it will be developed in next 20 years. Now I hear road to Horconcitos(sic?) is paved?

Volcan Baru is magnificent. Anyone who visits Chiriqui should consider a trekking trip to Baru. The natural beauty is amazing... so is the calmness and clean air. The National Park itself is a great treat, with a wide variety of flora and fauna.





A Resplendant Quetzal in the National Park: