Chiriqui, Panama's Northwestern province hosts Panama's growing sport of whitewater rafting. Due to its mountainous topography and abundance of rainfall, Chiriqui's rivers offer class III and IV commercial whitewater runs.
A limited number of companies provide a variety of excursions modeled to fit the seasons and level of adventurous spirit. All trips depart from the town of Boquete, and depending on which river is in season and where you are lodging your rafting company will coordinate meeting places and provide transportation to the river put-ins and back.
The following is a list and brief explanation of some day trips.
CHIRIQUI RIVER
Bajo Mendez Section (3.5 hours) - Class III & III+; Considered to be the
forgiving river to its counterpart, the Palon,
this section involves big water with plenty
of room for maneuvering. Long wave trains
and wild scenery make this river a perfect
starting point for the first-time rafter.
Barrigona Section (2.5 hours) - Class III; Perfect for beginners and families,
this section offers a glimpse of what whitewater
can look and feel like. The Barrigona features
a few exciting class III rapids while the
rest of the stretch is filled with continuously
moving water that will keep you on your toes.
A shorter trip, the Barrigona gives the rafter
2.5 hours of milder rafting and vistas of
Chiriqui's pretty stretches of plains and
gentle rolling hills.
CHIRIQUI VIEJO RIVER
Palon Section (4 hours) - Class IV; Perhaps some of the most beautiful
and classic rapids in all of Central America,
this section is only run during the low water
months of December through April. Intrepid
first-timers and seasoned rafters will undoubtedly
hail this river as a world class run with
it's non stop rapids, technical maneuvers,
deep canyon gorges and it's spectacular tropical
jungle scenery.
Sabo Section (2.5 hours) - Class III; Lush and verdant forest borders
along this lower section of the Chiriqui Viejo
River. Big rapids dominate the first half
of the Sabo section while the second half
levels out to allow participants a chance
to enjoy the surrounding wildlife and scenery.
Feast your eyesCormorants, Kingfishers and
Iguanas abound!