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Panama National Parks

Posted in Blog.

Panama is a country renowned for its incredible biodiversity and natural beauty, much of which is preserved within its numerous national parks. More than 33% of the Country is considered a National Park, a Natural Reserve or a Wildlife Refugee.

These parks protect vital ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests and cloud forests to marine reserves and volcanic landscapes. Here’s a comprehensive list of Panama’s national parks, each offering unique opportunities for adventure, wildlife observation, and eco-tourism.

1. Coiba National Park

  • Location: Veraguas Province
  • Highlights: A UNESCO World Heritage site, Coiba National Park is famous for its marine biodiversity. The park encompasses the largest island in Central America, Coiba Island, and is a prime destination for diving and snorkeling, with vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life, including sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles.
  • Transportation: Charter flights to Coiba Island or Lago Bay, boat from Lago Bay, Santa Catalina or Pixvae

2. Soberanía National Park

  • Location: Panama Province
  • Highlights: Located just outside Panama City, Soberanía National Park is a popular spot for birdwatching, with over 500 species recorded. The park also offers hiking trails through dense tropical forests, where visitors can see monkeys, sloths, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians.
  • Transportation: Ground transportation from Panama City

3. Volcán Barú National Park

  • Location: Chiriquí Province
  • Highlights: Home to Panama’s highest peak, Volcán Barú, this park offers stunning views where, on clear days, both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea can be seen from the summit. The park is also known for its unique highland ecosystems and opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the region’s volcanic landscapes.
  • Transportation: Charter flight to David, then ground transportation to Volcán.

4. Darién National Park

  • Location: Darién Province
  • Highlights: Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Darién National Park is one of the most remote and biologically diverse areas in Central America. The park is home to a vast array of wildlife, including jaguars, harpy eagles, and several indigenous communities. It offers a true wilderness experience for adventurous travelers.
  • Transportation: Charter flight to Bahía Piñas or Ground Transportation from Panama City to Darién.

5. Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park

  • Location: Bocas del Toro Province
  • Highlights: This marine park protects the coral reefs, mangroves, and rainforest of Isla Bastimentos and surrounding areas. It’s a paradise for snorkeling, diving, and wildlife observation, with opportunities to see manatees, sea turtles, and a variety of bird species.
  • Transportation: Charter flight to Bocas del Toro, Isla Colón, then boat transportation to Isla Bastimentos.

6. La Amistad International Park

7. Camino de Cruces National Park

  • Location: Panama Province
  • Highlights: This historic park follows the path of the old colonial road that connected Panama City with the Caribbean coast. The park’s dense forests are rich in history and biodiversity, providing a glimpse into Panama’s colonial past as well as opportunities for hiking and birdwatching.
  • Transportation: Ground transportation.

8. Portobelo National Park

  • Location: Colón Province
  • Highlights: Combining natural beauty with historical significance, Portobelo National Park protects both lush rainforests and the ruins of Spanish colonial fortifications. Visitors can explore the fortresses, enjoy panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea, and hike through the park’s tropical forests.
  • Transportation: Ground Transportation from Panama City to Portobelo

9. Altos de Campana National Park

  • Location: Panama Oeste Province
  • Highlights: As Panama’s first national park, Altos de Campana offers breathtaking views of the Pacific coast and surrounding mountains. The park is known for its unique montane forest ecosystem and is a popular spot for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying cooler mountain air.
  • Transportation: Ground transportation.

10. Chagres National Park

  • Location: Panama and Colón Provinces
  • Highlights: Chagres National Park is crucial for protecting the watershed that supplies the Panama Canal. The park features dense rainforests, rivers, and lakes, offering opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and exploring the natural landscapes that play a vital role in Panama’s water resources.
  • Transportation: Ground transportation.
  • Featured tour: Emeberá Community Cultural Exchange.

11. Omar Torrijos Herrera National Park

  • Location: Coclé Province
  • Highlights: Named after the former Panamanian leader, this park is located in the central mountain range of Panama. It’s known for its cloud forests, waterfalls, and the opportunity to see a wide variety of bird species, including the Resplendent Quetzal.
  • Transportation: Ground transportation.

12. Santa Fe National Park

  • Location: Veraguas Province
  • Highlights: This park protects the mountainous region of the Santa Fe District and is a haven for nature lovers. It’s home to rivers, waterfalls, and rich biodiversity, making it ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring Panama’s interior highlands.
  • Transportation: Charter flight to Santiago, Veraguas and/or ground transportation.

13. Barro Colorado Island

  • Location: Gatun Lake, Panama Canal
  • Highlights: Managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island is one of the most studied tropical ecosystems in the world. While access is limited to researchers, guided tours are available, offering a unique insight into Panama’s rainforest ecology and a chance to observe a variety of wildlife.
  • Transportation: ground transportation to dock, then boat.

14. Cerro Hoya National Park

  • Location: Veraguas and Los Santos Provinces
  • Highlights: Cerro Hoya National Park is a remote and rugged park known for its diverse ecosystems, ranging from coastal mangroves to highland cloud forests. The park is home to several endemic species, and its challenging terrain attracts adventurous hikers and nature enthusiasts.
  • Transportation: Charter flight to Lago bay and/or ground transportation.

15. Golfo de Chiriquí National Park

  • Location: Chiriquí Province
  • Highlights: This marine park encompasses a group of islands and surrounding waters off the Pacific coast of Panama. It’s a paradise for divers and snorkelers, with vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life, and opportunities to see dolphins, sea turtles, and humpback whales during their migration season.
  • Transportation: Charter flight from Panama City to David and/or ground transportation.

16. Metropolitan National Park

  • Location: Panama City
  • Highlights: As one of the few tropical forests within a capital city, Metropolitan National Park offers a unique urban escape. The park is known for its easy-to-access trails, rich birdlife, and stunning views of Panama City’s skyline and the Panama Canal.
  • Transportation: ground transportation or by foot from the National Bus Terminal/Albrook Mall .

17. Sarigua National Park

  • Location: Herrera Province
  • Highlights: Sarigua National Park is known for its unique desert-like landscape, which is a result of historical deforestation. The park offers a stark contrast to Panama’s lush rainforests and is home to archaeological sites that provide insight into the country’s pre-Columbian history.
  • Transportation: Charter Flight to Chitré and/or ground transportation.

Panama’s national parks are gateways to some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Central America. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a birdwatcher, or simply someone who enjoys being surrounded by nature, these parks offer something for everyone. Each park provides a unique glimpse into Panama’s incredible biodiversity and the country’s ongoing efforts to preserve its natural heritage for future generations.

Remember that even guides aren’t enforced to access the parks, it’s highly recommendable and also remember to pay you admission fees online, and follow the rules on Panama’s National Parks.

Map designed By Alexrk2 – Eigenes Werk (own work), SRTM30 V2, VMAP0, [1], [2], CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Bocas del Toro, Boquete, Chiriquí, Coclé, Darién, Herrera, Los Santos, National Park, Panama City, Santa Catalina, Veraguas