IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO HIKE THE QUETZAL TRAIL (SENDERO DE LOS QUETZALES), WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

Going up to Cerro Punta with all your heavy bags is a real hassle, and doesn't make logistical sense, because you either A) Have to hike down 6 hours with your pack   B) You have to pay about $15.00 to get your packs sent by car to Boquete C) You have to leave your backpack in Cerro Punta, hike down to Boquete, catch a bus to David, and then catch ANOTHER bus back up to Cerro Punta and down again, to pick up your bags!  Waste of Time, Waste of Money

If you plan to hike the trail from Boquete, keep in mind that the hike toward Cerro Punta is uphill, the majority of informed travellers opt to go from Cerro Punta to Boquete.  And you have the same logistical problem, after the hike, you have to go all the way back up to Boquete to get your bags!

Consider doing what many of our smart travellers do...

They spend their first night at The Purple House.   They leave their heavy packs at our hostel and walk 5 minutes to the bus stop to get the bus to Cerro Punta.  They hike down the trail (sometimes opting for a night in Boquete or Cerro Punta, but if you're strapped for time you can do it all in one day), and then they come back to The Purple House to either spend another night, or just pick up their bags.  It really does make the most sense. 

We see people make the same mistake over and over.  They go to Boquete or Cerro Punta, skipping over David City, and then they are up and down on buses picking up their luggage.

Maybe you're thinking..."Sure they are saying this, they want us to spend a night in The Purple House!"  And while it is true that we would love you to stay with us, the point is...even if you don`t choose to stay at The Purple House, it makes much more sense for you to make David City your jump off point if you are planning to do this hike.

Suggested Itineraries

1 Day Trip

1 day - Stay 1 night in The Purple House in David City.  Leave your packs at Hostel.  First bus to Cerro Punta leaves at around 6:00am.  Hike the trail in morning, spend late afternoon exploring Boquete, take last bus down from Boquete at 7:00pm. Pick up bags and you�re on your way!

2 days - Follow above itinerary but spend one night in Boquete and take following day to explore Boquete at your leisure.

3 days - Follow above itinerary but spend your 2nd night in Volcan or Cerro Punta or Guadalupe, and then your 3rd night in Boquete