Where are Panama's national parks & reserves?
Panama’s national parks, nature reserves and reserves are scattered across the country. Some are very easy to get to, while others are more of a trek. For example, Soberanía National Park, one of the country’s best birding sites, is a quick 50-minute drive from Panama City, and Altos de Campana National Park is right off the Inter-American Highway in central Panama. However, parks in more remote areas like the Darién can be difficult to reach. Road conditions can be poor and access to the park can be limited.
Related Questions
- Are national parks and reserves safe in Panama?
- Are Panama's parks and reserves well developed?
- I want a nature vacation. Where should I go in Panama?
- Can I expect to see wildlife in Panama?
- How much does it cost to visit a national park or reserve in Panama?
- What should I wear or bring to a national park in Panama?
Panama Bird Watching Tours
Panama is internationally known for its spectacular diversity of bird species. There are colorful local and migrant species, including various types of toucans, macaws, and eagles. Bird watching tours bring travelers to some of Panama’s best birding sites. Accompanied by a naturalist guide and equipped with a pair of binoculars, you’ll search forests, rivers, and estuaries for these incredible creatures.
Central Panama
All visitors heading from Panama City to the Chiriquí highlands, Azuero Peninsula or Bocas del Toro will first go through central Panama. Occasionally overlooked by travelers, central Panama holds an abundance of natural beauty and charm. Its Pacific coast beaches are some of the best in Panama and its mountainous highlands are lush, temperate and not too touristy.
Darien
There are few places on Earth like the Darién. Since its introduction to the outside world, the Darién has peaked the interest of biologists, anthropologists, drug-runners, business owners, and even foreign nations. It is a place with immense beauty and incredible bounty, where the natural world is raw and the indigenous people real. It is Panama’s – and by some measure, the world’s – last frontier.
Panama City
Panama City is a hub in every sense of the word. Located in the Gulf of Panama along the Pacific Coast, Panama City sits in the heart of the country and serves as the main artery through which the rest of Panama receives its visitors, commerce, and culture.
Altos de Campana National Park
Altos de Campana is Panama’s oldest national park. Established in 1966, this 4,817-acre (1,950-ha) park is a good place to spot orange-bellied trogons and other avian species. It’s a short drive from Panama City and an easy stop-off point along the Interamerican Highway.
Fortuna Forest Reserve
The 58,185-acre (19,500-hectare) Fortuna Forest Reserve is one of the most extensive mid-elevation cloud forests in Central America. Set within Panama’s western highlands, the reserve protects over 1,000 plant species and has some of the best bird watching in the country.
Gobernadora Island
Gobernadora Island is a small island set in the Gulf of Montijo on Panama’s Pacific coast. The island is often skipped over by travelers, but it’s a pretty little place that offers secluded white-sand beaches and a densely forested mainland.
Sarigua National Park
The Sarigua National Park is a sad example of deforestation in the tropics. This 20,000-acre (8,000-ha) national park is set 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Chitré. It was once the site of an ancient civilization, but these days is little more than a desert wasteland.
