Boquete Flower & Coffee Fair — Local services in Jaramillo

Despite the rain, the crowds showed up and the event was better than I expected. Incredibly crowded on friday and saturday. The entry fee costs two dollars per person and, once inside, you will find indoor vendors and crowds of visitors. Walk through the facility and out into the garden where a variety of flowers are on display. Over the fence you will see the Caldera river. Follow the crowds away from the garden and into the mass of outdoor vendors, food establishments, zip lines and music hall. The best part was seeing how polite and pleasant the townspeople were.

The food vendors were my favorite part. Imagine the delicious smell of barbecue meats in the air. Although it is a very simple food, I recommend the yuka, barbecued, fried or boiled, because it is a tasty root vegetable. Of course there are the meat options such as sausages, chicken and beef. This is as close to delicious street food as it can get. You will find other vendors selling artisans, clothing and coffee. I should note that this event may not produce the wow factor a tourist may wish for. This is a simple event in a simple town. So I recommend that you focus on the food and enjoy your time in the presence of nice people.

I was surprised by how cold it was and how the dense drizzle did not seem to bother anyone. In fact, I later realized that despite the wet weather, there were virtually no umbrellas to be seen. Everyone was dressed well for the sixty degree windy weather.

According to their website, one of the goals is to establish this fair as the best in the country. I will give it credit for being a great event because of the status it raises, the demonstration of agricultural importance of the province, and the economy it generates for the local area. But, as a chorrera native, I have to also give credit to to my hometown fair which also serves an important role in the community. Both events have different characteristics but are equally as important to...

Come feel the noise! (Song by Slade, an English band from the past.)

The Good. The daytime is good for families, attracting many to visit Boquete, eat at the pop up cafes, see flowers and sample coffee, within the perimeter inside. The entrance fee is inexpensive. The local restaurants and hotels do particularly good business during this time.

The Bad. Many locals leave town to avoid the crowds of people and a seriously loud and annoying DJ, with music going on from 7pm until 4 am, during most of the 11 day festival. Sleep deprivation is absolutely guaranteed! Diesel fumes and bus noise is another highlight, with traffic backed up in the main road. There are many food stalls selling the sane unhealthy food. Flowers are regularly sprayed with insecticide. Don’t smell the 🌺 🌷 !

There are a few interesting indoor orchids to see during the day. Otherwise most flowers are there, year round.

And The Ugly. Many do come from far and wide, just to get drunk, eat unhealthy food, hear an extremely annoying DJ with hip hop music at deafening levels and dance till the morning hours. A live band will also grace the stage. Even with few people remaining, the DJ insists on pumping out the music at deafening levels until 4:am. There is also occasional violence...

Absolutely blown away by Gluten Free Gold! I recently had the pleasure of trying their food, and honestly, I'm still marveling at how delicious everything was. As someone who doesn't typically follow a gluten-free diet, I was completely unable to tell the difference. This wasn't just "good for gluten-free" food; it was simply phenomenal food, period. The menu is extensive and beautiful, offering something for everyone. From savory gourmet dinners to freshly baked goods, it's clear that Colleen Hunt, the "Food Queen," pours her heart and soul into her creations. The quality and freshness were undeniable, and knowing that much of it is cooked and baked the very same day makes it even more impressive. If you're anywhere near the border, or even if you're a bit further away, it's absolutely worth the trip to the Boquete Market on a Tuesday to experience Gluten Free Gold. Whether you're gluten-free or not, you'll be treated to a culinary delight. I can't recommend it highly enough! Colleen Hunt has truly mastered the art of gluten-free cuisine, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit...ps the brownies are...