The Lost Paradise of Panamá

A good cup of coffee in Panamá can easily be taken for granted because it’s so prevalent. Whether it’s Cafe Tule in Santa Fé, or one of the numerous selections such as Cafe Ruiz available in the Volcán Barú region–you can’t go wrong. You don’t have to visit the Western Highlands to enjoy a good cup since many brands are readily available throughout the country. And if you really want to splurge, there are some brands that will cost what a night in a good hotel would. From the time the ripe cherries are picked, up until the coffee is ready for sale, extreme care and precision is taken at every step. The final product is a very fine, rich, dark powder. I’ve always been a little partial to Cafe Duran, in part because when I first lived in Panamá, it was next to a Cafe Duran warehouse. I could smell the sweet aroma every morning.