Alto Quiel

Escape to the tranquil mountain enclave of Alto Quiel, Boquete in Panama's Chiriqui highlands! This community is the perfect destination for expats, families, couples, and retirees seeking an idyllic, tropical, coffee lover’s paradise high in the cool mountains of Boquete. With its stunning views of the Caldera River Valley and starry night skies, Alto Quiel is the perfect place to call home. Enjoy the region's delicious coffee, with many of the finest beans grown right in Alto Quiel.

Alto Quiel offers plenty of activities nearby for those who love nature and the outdoors including hiking the Quetzal or Pipeline Trails, rock climbing and exploring its many waterfalls.  Best of all, this is an enchanting place just to sit back and absorb the intense beauty of the scenery below and above.

Want a more lively scene? Experience the best of both worlds with a quick 15-minute drive to Boquete’s downtown with its charming boutiques, social activities, tourist attractions and restaurants.

The loop road that leads up to Alto Quiel reaches its pinnacle at the gates of the beautiful Villa Gauguin.   Here at Gauguin, you can stay at the highest point of Panama's Ruta Agroturismo where visitors can experience local agriculture up close and visit lush plantations that produce some of the best coffee in the world.  The Villa Gauguin offers glamping style luxury cabins and yurts for rent.  It is not just another place to stay in Boquete, but a unique and exciting destination for the adventurer.

Near Villa Gauguin, you will find the entrance to La Amistad International Park with its famous Quetzal Trail, a world-renowned hiking venue. Also close by is the entrance to the Pipeline Trail providing an adventurous, but manageable stroll through a spectacular mini-canyon valley with the call of howler monkeys echoing along the way. As one reaches the rear of the canyon, there emerges the sight of enormous waterfalls in a tropical paradise.  There’s also the more vigorous Three Lost Waterfalls Trail found on the way to the Quetzal Trail.

New residents who buy homes or properties for sale in Alto Quiel have so much to enjoy.  The area is like living in a place that soothes the soul.  Retirement can be both stimulating adventure and a deeply relaxing joy in Alto Quiel, Boquete.

Next to Villa Gauguin, hike or tour neighboring Finca Lerida. Lerida is one of the most gorgeous sites in all of Panama. Explore Lerida’s breathtaking property with a coffee farm tour or hike Lerida’s pristine cloud forest trails.  Eat delicious meals on the patio at Lerida’s excellent restaurant.

Rainbows, glorious sunsets, and flocks of tropical birds including parakeets come to feast on the abundant fruits are often seen in Alto Quiel.  For bird watchers, the area attracts many species including the exotic Resplendent Quetzal given that its borders so much national park land.

Practically next door to Finca Lerida is the esteemed Elida Estate.

The Elida Estate in Alto Quiel, Boquete, has been producing coffee for four generations since 1918 right by the Volcan Baru National Park and the virgin native cloud forest. This Lamatus Family Estate has produced the world record for coffee at the finest auctions, bringing in a stratospheric $6,000 per pound at one auction, decimating previous records.  For this and other reasons Alto Quiel, Boquete is considered the ultimate for coffee connoisseurs world-wide.

Another amazing site accessible to Alto Quiel is the drive down to town through Bajo Mono.  It is a one-of-a-kind ride through another incredible river valley.  Along the way, one would likely wish to stop and take in the spectacular San Ramon waterfall.  Consider dipping your toes in the fresh mountain stream there. So refreshing.

Another wonderful place to stay in Alto Quiel is Manana Madera, a small oasis  among the coffee with incredible Volcan Baru views just 10 minutes from downtown Boquete.

While many seeking the sublime joys of the area buy houses or lots for sale here and there throughout the community, others prefer the sole residential development of the immediate area, Boquete Plantation.

The Boquete Plantation is a beautiful community within an active coffee farm. It is less than 15 minutes up a well-paved road from downtown Boquete.

Lately, Alto Quiel listings have been less and less available.  Please view the current Alto Quiel listings for sale below which sometimes include large luxury homes, beautiful estate houses with a lot of pretty land outside of gated communities, houses in Boquete Plantation,  development opportunities, and mountain lots with incredible views.

Come home to Alto Quiel and live the life you've always dreamed of!