Last year, my 8 year old was NOT thrilled. My 13 year old enjoyed it. My husband (the guy in the photo) liked it alot. And I loved it!
I had the best time dancing to amazing blues music.
Read about our experience at last year's Boquete Jazz & Blues Festival.
It is less than 2 weeks away!
Here's a video preview of this year's Festival
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While the event is fabulous, the festival's website (here) is terrible. It is hard to find information on it.
I couldn't find links to their most important pages, like the festival line up page and ticket purchase page. But I persevered and uncovered those links eventually. I'll put them below.
On Thursday, Feb 25th at noon, the Festival kicks off with a New Orleans style street parade followed by a free concert at the town's central park.
The Festival really kicks into gear on Saturday and Sunday.
Here is the schedule and line up. For updates to the line up and program, visit the Festival's program page here. Acts are added often, especially on the 1st 2 days of the Festival.
If you don't book ahead, it can be hard to get a hotel room in Boquete. Last year, we went on Sunday and then stayed at Ciudad de David hotel (in David) that night. (FYI - David is 30 minutes from Boquete. Puerto Armuelles, our town, is 1 hour and 15 minutes from David.)
We are going to do something similar this year. We could drive home directly from Boquete, but it makes it more of an event if we stay the night. Plus we usually have something we can accomplish in David.
Also, its a good idea to buy your tickets ahead of time. They sell out.
To find out more about your ticket options and costs go to their website here.
To buy them online use this link here.
As you can see, the tickets aren't cheap. For me its a bonus that kids 12 and under are free.
The festival has a facebook page where they share videos and updates.
While I didn't find the official website super helpful, this site has lots of great information about the festival and related info. You might want to check it out.
If you are coming from another country or from Panama City, there are some good things to know about.
Festival goers can get a 15% discount on Copa airlines flights to either Panama City or to David. It is only for economy seats from February 20th - March 4th, 2016. Book your flight on Copa here. Use coupon code C6705.
This is especially good because Copa is now offering connecting flights from Panama City’s Tocumen airport to David's Enrique Malek Airport. International travelers used to have take a taxi from Tocumen to the Albrook airport to catch a flight from Panama City to David.
This development is wonderful, and so much cheaper for travelers. Used to be, if you flew into Panama City and wanted to catch a flight to David, given schedules and time needed to get to Albrook, you often had to spend the night in Panama City. So you had to pay for more taxis and a hotel room, etc. Even if you could catch a flight that day, you had the cost of the taxi ride to Albrook.
With Copa's flight to David you get to skip the taxi ride to Albrook and you are much more likely to be able to catch a connecting flight that day. Plus Copa's flight to David is cheaper than Air Panama's out of Albrook airport.
We love Copa! It is our family's favorite airline.
Technically, you can only fly from Tocumen to David's airport if you are connecting from an international flight. However, I have taken that flight without having arrived on an international flight. But I wouldn't count on being able to do that.
Not flying internationally? Take Air Panama's flight out of Panama City's Albrook airport to David's Airport. There is no festival discount available for that flight.
You can also take a bus from Panama City with other festival goers.
The details are on the flyer for the Blues Bus to Boquete.
I smile just thinking about going. It is my birthday gift to myself.
Maybe I'll see you there. Please come and say "hi" if you see us.
We will be the only family with both a young Chinese daughter and a blondish teenage daughter.
I'll most likely be dancing in front of the stage. 🙂
"When are going to put your Corazon de Oro properties on the market?"
The answer is very soon. In a matter of a few months.
Currently we are building an entry way to the property.
To give you a preview, I put together a short video on one of the beachfront lots.
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Walking out there, I am reminded just how beautiful a spot it is in.
I'll let you know when you can actually buy one. It will be fairly soon.
We are currently building an entry gate.
Find out more about these 19 lots, 9 of which are beach front, here.
It is on the 2nd story of a commercial building. There is a bar, a pool hall, a small grocery store, and the hotel owner's residence underneath it.
An open air walkway circles the hotel. That is the most pleasant part of the hotel. If it were nicer, this balcony/walkway would be a wonderful place to watch the ocean and enjoy its breeze.
The staff are friendly and will change your sheets and clean your room every other day.
About 8 years ago, my family and I stayed here - twice. The old woman and her husband who ran it were delightful. But the beds were terrible. I mean truly awful. The bed sagged radically in the middle as soon as we laid down. It was as if the mattress was tucking us into a mattress sandwich.
Overall, though it was fine. Although, if the Heavenly's Hotel or Tsunami Inn had been available then, we would have stayed there.
It is in a great spot in downtown Puerto Armuelles. It is near the waterfront park, the bus station, and restaurants.
Although, it is right above a bar, I don't remember noise from the bar being an issue while we stayed there.
Learn about hotels in Puerto Armuelles Panama
Where to eat in Puerto Armuelles
They have rooms with bathrooms and rooms with a bathroom down the hall.
The bathrooms are not nice.
However, you can rent a room with a bathroom down the hall for only $7.50.
So for the price, it really isn't bad.
Want to explore property for sale in Puerto Armuelles?
We are happy to give you a tour of both the town and property.
Go to our contact us page and tell us when you will be here.
You can start looking at affordable Puerto Armuelles property for sale online at this page
Koco's Place is located off the main road on the outskirts of town.
Although it is out of town, it is an easy place to flag down one of the many taxis passing by.
It is a one story hotel with some landscaping. However, the hotel is old and is not being maintained or upgraded. Although, the hotel itself is pleasant enough, its beds and pillows are not.
The hotel does have a large lobby with lots of places to sit. It also has a banquet hall you can rent out. However, these main areas are not air conditioned nor is the furniture very comfortable.
It has a swimming pool, but the pool has had no water in it for over a year now.
The hotel is located at the corner of the main road into town and the road that leads the beaches in the Pez de Oro and Corazon de Jesus neighborhoods. It is about 5 minutes away from downtown Puerto Armuelles.
The Corazon de Jesus neighborhood is 2 miles away and the beach at the Pez de Oro neighborhood is 1 mile away from Coco's Place.
You can ask for an extra bed in rooms.
Learn about other hotels in Puerto Armuelles Panama
Find out about restaurants in Puerto Armuelles
Not the most attractive, or comfortable looking beds. But it could work for a short stay?
We stayed here for one night, years ago, and it was fine.
Looking for affordable property in Puerto Armuelles? Contact us for a tour. You can start looking at Puerto Armuelles property for sale here. We also have a listing book at the hotel. Ask Milton or a hotel staff person to see it.
Learn about the new owners, click here.
The Hotel is located in the San Vicente neighborhood of Puerto Armuelles.
You will see many signs along the road pointing you to the hotel.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays. On other days it opens at 5ish. However, you can go in anytime and order something to drink.
Read about restaurants in Puerto Armuelles, including one right next door to it.
Looking for affordable property in Puerto Armuelles? Contact us for a tour. You can start browsing our property for sale here. We also have a listing book at the hotel. Ask Milton or a hotel staff person to see it.
Learn about other places to stay in Puerto Armuelles Panama
Tsunami Inn is located in the San Vicente neighborhood of Puerto Armuelles.
It is across a quiet dirt road from the beach.
This hotel is centered around its pool and central "hang out" gazebo (see photo). You can stay in one of its 6 colorful cabanas. They are small, but an adequate size.
The front cabins, pool and gazebo face the ocean.
Note: Some guests who have stayed here have told us that it appears the owners have a financial arrangement with 2 local real estate people. After you arrive, don't be surprised if one of these 2 "realtors" shows up. I advise taking your time.
Horseshoes
You can play horseshoes here. They have a regulation horseshoe pit set up right by the swimming pool. One of the owners, Scott, is a champion horseshoe player. On most Sunday afternoons they have a horseshoe game for hotel guests and locals.
To tour affordable property for sale in Puerto, contact us. You can start exploring property for sale here. We also have a listing book at the hotel. Ask Scott to see it.
To make a reservation, it is best to email them.
Make sure to call or email them the day before to confirm that you are coming.
You don’t pay until you arrive. They only accept cash.
Apartment (long-term) Rate
The apartment is 1 bedroom, with A/C, wifi, full kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and separate entrance and parking space.
Email - [email protected]
Phone-
Add the country code 507, if you are calling from outside of Panama
Learn about other accommodations in Puerto Armuelles Panama
Find out where you can eat in Puerto Armuelles
January 30, 2016
See photos below.
They are not available to adopt yet!
You can pick your new dog up on February 20th. That is when they will be spayed/neutered.
But you can claim your pup today.
Please call Irma today! - 6230-3623
Irma is one of the volunteers with Los Animales.
The puppies's mom died. They were found homeless and hungry.
There were 6 puppies available, but Pat has already claimed one.
Currently they are alittle more than a month old.
I will update this post with more information, like their gender, when I get it.
Click on any photo to enlarge and start slideshow.
Learn more about Voluntarios Por Los Animales and other ways you can help the animals of Puerto Armuelles.
If you adopt a puppy, please let us know!
The landscape and garden design are certainly beautiful, but are by no means the best out there.
During the afternoon hours, the festival ground are relatively vacant.
In Panama, crowds only begin to filter in around early evening. In order to attain the lively festival experience you may need to sacrifice a good night's sleep in order to drive home, or money on a hotel room. During the evening & night, the festival adds amusement rides, live music and dancing to the mix.
Scroll down to see photos of the festival & Boquete
Of course if you don't mind a slower paced festival escapade or the hot sun, a one day trip to this festival is perfect.
Since this event was originally a coffee fair, it still offers up a large variety of local coffee brands. Boquete is known for having some of the best coffee in the world, so if you enjoy a good roast you should give this event a visit.
The festival is surprisingly small, especially for an event that has been held for over fifty years. Venders occupy most of the fair grounds, selling flowers, coffee, and traditional hand crafted souvenirs.
Though many people come for the coffee and flower arrangements, to me the real star of this event is the town and the scenery surrounding it.
During the 10-day festival there is an explosion of venders outside the festival grounds as well as inside. While in town you you might like to visit the plethora of restaurants, ice cream shops, as well tour coffee farms.
So if you come to Boquete solely for the festival don't forget to stay a little while, look at the views, and grab a bag of local coffee beans for the road.
The festival is the attraction, but in order to get the full experience you have to appreciate the town that puts it on, Boquete.
If you want to learn more, my Mom, Betsy, wrote some about the history of the Boquete Flower & Coffee festival.
This article was written by my 14 year old daughter, Skylar Vayda. Over the next 3 months, Skylar will be writing a Panama-related article each week. She will be picking the topic. We hope you enjoy them.
El Pulpo is on a quiet street. It is close to downtown Puerto Armuelles.So our little family of four ventured out to try the dinner fare at Restaurante El Pulpo (The Octopus).
The restaurant is on a quiet street in the Rio Mar neighborhood. It is just one street behind the waterfront houses.
Which is the street that has the short one-lane bridge going from Pueblo Nuevo/Downtown to Rio Mar. It is about 500 meters past the bridge, on the right- hand side of the street.
That one-lane bridge used to be known as the “bridge over the stinky little slough”, before work on the new and improved sewer system for Puerto Armuelles began early in 2015. While the sewer system is not quite finished yet, the family didn’t notice any odors when we crossed the bridge.
There is a sign out front announcing “El Pulpo, so you won’t miss it. (see photo above.) There is plenty of on-street parking, since this part of the road is off the main thoroughfare.
The owner, Cinia, is outgoing and friendly. She only speaks Spanish.
We went with Cinia's recommendations, ordering a plate of Mariscos Mixtos (Mixed Seafood) in salsa, as well as a plate of camarones al aljillo (shrimp in a garlic sauce).
The four of us weren’t too hungry, so splitting the two meals was plenty of food.
We were quite pleased with our dishes.
There was ample succulent seafood, including shrimp, mussels, fish, squid, and yes, pulpo (remember, “pulpo” means octopus).
The seafood was a little greasy though. You didn't notice the grease so much as you ate it. It just tasted delicious. But afterwards, our bodies let us know we had consumed more grease than we were used to eating .
The side dishes were the usual, meaning french fries and Patacones (fried plantains). As usual, there were no vegetables offered, other than steamed Yucca, a starchy root vegetable, and a tiny garden salad of iceberg lettuce, tomato, and onion. However, the presentation was pretty nice, for a budget Panamanian restaurant.
Click on a photo below to enlarge
It is open 7 days a week from noon to 11pm.
El Pulpo seems like a good quality, economical place to eat lunch or dinner. Overall, our family enjoyed our dinner and chatting with the owner, Cinia.
We would definitely recommend this restaurant as a good addition to Puerto Armuelles’ still rather limited list of dining out options.
Thanks for the tip Victor!
Victor is an ex-pat who lives in the Corazon de Jesus neighborhood.
If you decide to give El Pulpo a try, please let us know what you think.
We’d like to know if it is consistently good, how the service is, etc….
Thanks!
Betsy will be adding this to our site's list of Puerto Armuelles dining options.
