Boquete, Panama is around seven hours from Panama City. It is in the Province of Chiriqui, less than 40 minutes from the Costa Rican border in the Western part of the country. Boquete is home to about 25,000 people, with 5,000 of them being expats. The town is known for making amazing coffee from the green mountain highlands and sits at the base of Volcan Baru, Panama’s highest point.
Every February, Boquete hosts a Jazz and Blues Festival, one of the biggest events in the country of Panama. 2019 marks the 13th Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival (BJBF), “The biggest little festival in the world”. During the event, the town is full of people visiting from around the world and top-notch performers taking the stage.
This year, the BJBF has relocated to the Feria (fairgrounds) and will be bigger and better than ever. Four days and nights in February, get ready for fantastic music, art, exhibits, food vendors, and outdoor activities. Here is what to should expect at the 2019 Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival, with headlining acts Spyro Gyra, Osvaldo Ayala, and Grammy nominee Dwayne Dopsie.
Tentative Schedule (see concert schedule here)
Thursday 22nd
- 11 AM-3 PM Garden Party at Finca Lerida
- 8:30 PM-12:30 AM Jam Session at Hotel Ladera
Friday 23rd
- 9 AM-12:00 PM Breakfast, Mimosas, Bloody Marys and Open Mic at Baru
- 2:30 PM-10 PM Concerts (both main and side stages) at La Feria de Boquete
Saturday 24th
- 11 AM- 6:15 PM Concerts (both main and side stages) at La Feria de Boquete
- 8:30 PM-12:30 AM Saturday Jam Session at Hotel Ladera
Sunday 25th
- 9 AM Art for the School Kids with Olga Sinclair at La Feria de Boquete
- 11 AM- 6:15 PM Concerts (both main and side stages) at La Feria de Boquete
- 8:30 PM-12:30 AM Sunday Jam Session at Mike’s Global Grill
- After parties held nightly at the Boquete Brewing Company
Tickets
Wristbands may be purchased for a single day of concerts by world-class musicians or the four-day whole shebang event. A 3-Day General Admission costs $109.50, Preferred Shaded Seating $184.50, and Platinum covered and padded seating $375.00 per person. Daily tickets range from $49.50 to $149.00. The cream de la cream of tickets is a Fedora Club Membership for $500 per person with has a wide range of perks.(call or email the festival for details)
Food
Vendors will be available during the jazz fest on the fairgrounds, but if you are looking for good restaurants with fair prices in town, we recommend:
- Boquete Fish House
- Boquete Sandwich Shop
- Sugar and Spice
- Otto Gastronomia Restaurant
- Paladar at Hotel Valle Del Rio
- El Oasis
- Big Daddy’s
Lodging
Need a place to stay? Boquete Gardens is the premier luxury accommodations in Boquete.
Explore Beautiful Boquete
There is not a better time to visit Boquete than during the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival. Add the excellent dining and the beautiful weather, and it is a recipe for a spectacular weekend.
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Disclosure: My family is associated with Boquete Gardens rentals.
