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Chiriqui Province could almost be considered an entity separate from the rest of Panama, so unique are its people and its attractions. There may be no other place on earth where you can go big game fishing in the Pacific one day and fly-fishing for trout in the mountains the next day. Some of the first European immigrants of the twentieth century chose the mountain town of Boquete as their home, remarking that the topography and climate reminded them of their native Switzerland and Germany. In fact, you can see these two countries’ unique architectural style reflected in some of the older homes in the highlands today.
There are a number of beach resort areas in Chiriqui Province. Just outside David, La Barqueta beach is the home to Panama’s annual international surf competition and the home of some pretty fierce surf. La Barqueta is also home to one of Chiriqui’s most luxurious beach resorts that will soon embark on building the first 18 hole golf course in the region. Amazing beachfront lots (without amazing beachfront prices) are still available on the Pacific.
About an hour’s drive from David is the little town of Boca Chica where you can find luxury developments and a handful of fishing lodges and boutique hotels. As this area is world famous for record-shattering big game fish, it is a natural for those looking for angler’s action. Reminiscent of the topography of Southeast Asia (think Bali or Thailand) this area is characterized by rolling tropical hills, lush vegetation and dramatic oceanside cliffs. Calm bays(or bahias) are tucked between the cliffs here offering serene swimming in sparkling waters.
Volcan is a tiny hamlet in the highlands near the Costa Rican border with Panama. In its infancy (speaking in real estate terms) the area tends to attract the frontier-minded Unlike its sister highland city of Boquete, Volcan has yet to see a real influx of foreign residents and has yet to embrace the country-club lifestyle. Above Volcan is Cerro Punta, the town that supplies the entire country with fresh produce in abundant variety. Famous for its flowers and strawberries as well as its veggies, this micro climate is also where mountain streams tempt the fisherman to cast his fly into the tumbling waters.
David is the commercial center of the province and the central point where all of the spokes of Chiriqui’s wheel converge. David boasts all the modern conveniences one could ask for–a large selection of banks, huge modern supermarkets (including a PriceMart), shopping centers big and small, two modern hospitals, a decent selection of restaurants, many hotels, movie theaters, casinos and more.
The people of Chiriqui often refer to themselves as Chiricanos. There was a movement years ago to form a separate nation with this province, so unique do the Chiricanos consider their heritage. It is a comfortable place to live, especially for those to whom Panama City and its sprawling suburbs might be just a wee bit overwhelming.
http://www.buyingrealestateinpanama.com for information, pictures and listings of properties in Panama
http://www.lostcoastpanama.com for information, pictures and listings of properties at Boca Chica
Lisa Leuthesser is a freelance writer and communications manager for BuyingRealEstateInPanama.com, a licensed real estate company specializing in the interior provinces of the Republic of Panama.
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