Boquete’s cool mountain air, scenic views and active expat community make it an appealing place to keep playing tennis after a move. The local tennis scene is small compared with big cities, but there are reliable courts, resorts that welcome visitors, and local clubs where you can take lessons, join round-robins or meet other players. Below is an up-to-date, practical guide to where to play in and around Boquete, what to expect, and how to find coaching and hitting partners.
Quick snapshot
- Best known courts: Lucero Tennis Club (clay courts) and
a court at Valle Escondido Resort(court has now been removed due to the construction of the hotel’s event center). - Other options: a private/local court listed at Santa Lucia, hotel courts (several local hotels have tennis facilities), and residential/club courts in new developments around Boquete.
- Surface variety: clay at Lucero; hotel/resort/municipal courts are usually hard court or “tournament” style — always call to confirm surface and lighting.
- Tip for newcomers: call ahead for court availability, bring your own balls and shoes (highland clay can be softer than lowland courts), and ask about coaching or group clinics.
Where to play — primary facilities (with contacts and links)
Lucero Tennis Club
- Best option for organized tennis and clay-court play
- What: Three outdoor classic clay courts, lessons, clinics and regular events (round-robins, “Meet the Pro,” kids’ days).
- Why: Clay courts are rare in the region; clay play offers slower courts, great for practice and fitness, and the facility runs organized programs.
- Contact / more info: Lucero’s tennis page — Lucero Tennis Club. For more information: +507 730-8101 and email info@lucero.com.pa
Club Santa Lucia
- Private/local court listing — small private court in town area
- What: A private single court listed in Boquete on the Global Tennis Network (players have historically used it for local matches/hitting). Private courts commonly allow pay-as-you-play or invite-based sessions; availability can vary.
- Contact / more info: +507 6165-2768 or Instagram
Hotel and Resort Courts
- Visitor-friendly options
- Several local hotels and resorts in the Boquete area advertise tennis courts for guests and sometimes visitors. Examples include Hotel Panamonte and Hacienda Los Molinos; nearby highland resorts such as Bambito (Volcán/Cerro Punta area) also list tennis among amenities. If you’re visiting, ask the hotel concierge about court access, fees and whether ball/loaner racquets and lighting are available.
Residential Developments and Country Clubs
- Some residential developments and country-club communities in Boquete include tennis courts among their amenities. When buying or renting property, check whether a community offers court access or partnerships with nearby clubs.
Lessons, clinics and finding hitting partners
- Lessons and clinics: Lucero advertises pros and clinics directly on-site; Valle Escondido’s country-club often runs wellness and sports programs that include tennis. For private lessons, call the facility first to confirm coach availability and language (many coaches in the region speak Spanish; some also offer English).
- Finding players: The Global Tennis Network (GTN) has a Boquete area listing where local players have posted courts and events — useful to find ladders, casual matches and local contacts: GTN — Boquete tennis overview.
- Local expat groups & social media: Boquete’s active expat community posts playtimes and invites on community Facebook pages and local WhatsApp groups. When you arrive, ask at coffee shops, the town’s expat bulletin boards, and local gyms for current player meetups.
Practical tips for players moving to Boquete
- Climate and scheduling: Boquete’s highland climate is cooler and often misty. Mornings and late afternoons are ideal for hitting; the wet season (roughly May–November) can bring afternoon showers, so morning slots are safer during those months. Always call or reserve to avoid weather conflict.
- Court surface and shoes: Clay (Lucero) requires shoes suitable for clay; hotels/resort courts may be hard court. If you prefer clay, Lucero is the main guaranteed clay option in the immediate Boquete area.
- Balls and equipment: Bring a supply of tennis balls when you move or visit; availability of specific ball brands and stringing services is more limited locally than in big cities. For specialized services (stringing, premium racquets) you may need to travel to David (the nearest larger city) or Panama City.
- Fees & membership: Expect a mix of membership-based access (country clubs/residential communities) and pay-as-you-play options at hotels or private courts. Ask about guest fees, lighting fees for night play, and any required reservations.
Final thoughts — is Boquete right for your tennis game?
If you’re an active player who relies on a big club with many courts, leagues and daily drilling, Boquete’s small but friendly tennis scene may feel limited at first. But if you enjoy a quieter, community-driven pace, clay-court practice and the chance to combine tennis with hiking, coffee tours and a relaxed mountain lifestyle, Boquete is a delightful place to keep playing. Lucero and Valle Escondido offer the most organized options locally, while private courts and hotel facilities fill in the rest.
