El Copé, Coclé: Lodging in the rainforest of central Panama (Part III)
(examiner.com) Okay, now you are set on visiting El Copé, Coclé in the Republic of Panama. Well, once you get there, why not spend the night? Several options are available, so read on to find which lodging option will be perfect for you. Please remember that prices are typically a little more expensive for international visitors (I list a range of prices) and are subject to change. Also, check out some of my additional tips at the end of the article!
Hotel – El Copé
A 5-room hotel is located near the center of El Copé. There is no sign, so follow the dirt road next to the Catholic Church (the flat road, not the one that heads straight up the hill!). After a short walk (about one block) you will arrive at a wall painted with “Casa de Hospedaje Varkiria”. The hotel office is to your right. Each room has a double bed and fan. A shared bathroom has a flush toilet and cold-water shower. Owner speaks only Spanish.
Price: $10-$15/night/room
What is provided: bedding
What to bring: toiletries, towel
My recommendation: This hotel is located close to local stores and restaurants. Guests have commented that local children will wake them up by peering into the windows early in the morning and may visit the room to ask for candy or money.
Chorro Las Yayas
Chorro Las Yayas, a community-run project, is located in the community of Barrigón. Follow the road to Parque Omar (a high clearance car with or without 4wd, local chiva bus, or private ride from La MICA Biological Station) past the blue and yellow school. This attraction features a waterfall, a nicely-maintained concrete trail, and two small cabins. Cabins include a loft sleeping area, small kitchen, and clean, latrine bathroom with cold-water shower. Cabins have electricity and sleep four people comfortably. Community members speak little or no English, but all signage is in English and Spanish.
Price: $10-$15/person/night (guests are not required to visit the waterfall, but I highly recommend doing so. Entrance is 50 cents for residents of Barrigón, $1.00 for Panamanians, $2.00 for international visitors)
What is provided: sheets, basic dishes
What to bring: food, toiletries (including toilet paper), towel, blanket (if chilled easily)
My recommendation: This cute cabin is perfect for a couple, may be small for a family.
*(June 2009) Please note that the community recently received a grant to improve the roofs and furnishings of the cabins. One cabin may be converted into an office for the waterfall and a small restaurant, serving traditional dishes. You can contact La MICA Biological Station (in English or Spanish), AGLAC Ecotours (Spanish only), or ask community members for up-to-date information on the status of the cabins.
Parque Nacional General de División Omar Torrijos Herrera
Parque Omar is located 7.5 kilometers (5 miles from El Copé) and is accessible only by a 4wd vehicle with high clearance. Contact La MICA Biological Station for a private ride. A relatively new and spacious cabin is located just inside of the south border of Parque Omar. The cabin has four beds, a living room, kitchen, and small bathroom with flush toilet and shower. A loft area allows space to sleep about 20 people, but no beds or bedding are available for this space. The cabin has solar power for the lights and standard (US-style) outlets, and the kitchen has a gas oven with four burners and a gas, full-sized refrigerator. The park also offers tent camping, but be warned of copious amounts of rain and chilly temperatures! One park ranger speaks a fair amount of English. Signage and brochures are primarily in Spanish.
Price: $10-$15/per person/night + entrance to park ($3.50/person/day for Panamanians and $5.00/person/day for international visitors)
What is provided: sheets, basic dishes
What to bring: food, toiletries (including toilet paper), towels, blanket (if chilled easily)
My recommendation: Parque Omar is amazing! The cabin is perfect for families or people wanting to be right in the park for early morning birding or exploring.
Alberques Navas
Alberques Navas is located in the center of Barrigón and is assessable by private vehicle, local bus, or private ride from La MICA Biological Station. Look closely for the sign on the house on the right side of the road (the front yard is filled with plants that sometimes cover the sign). Ask any local person and they will help you to find the house. The Navas Family offers an experience that is unique and has become popular after they were included in the Lonely Planet guide book for Panama. Santo and Anna welcome guests into their house, providing beds in 2 clean rooms and traditional meals, in addition to the opportunity to interact with the family. They also own property in the remote community of La Rica and offer tours, including a guide, to visit this peaceful area within Parque Omar. The family only speaks Spanish, but have a list of common questions translated to English to help guests.
Prices: ~$30/person/night (includes meals with the family)
What is provided: bedding and meals
What to bring: toiletries, towel
My Recommendation: This is a fantastic experience for someone who wants to be immersed in Panamanian rural culture. A visit to La Rica is an amazing experience and provides immersion in the cloud forest of Parque Omar.
La MICA Biological Station
La MICA Biological Station is currently being developed in El Copé. They will soon offer lodging in a Panamanian-style cabin and camping. Contact them to check on the progress of the construction of their cabin (expected to be completed by September 2009).
Other notes:
There is no bank or ATM (automatic money machine) in El Copé. None of the attractions included on this list have the capacity to accept credit cards. None of the local stores can accept credit cards. Also, small bills and exact change are greatly appreciated. Bills larger than $20 are difficult for any local attraction or store to handle. Traveler’s checks are infrequently encountered and best avoided, especially if you are not fluent in Spanish.
El Copé has laundry services that will wash, dry, and fold your clothes. Drop them off in a bag with your name and pick them up at the time you arrange.
Internet service currently is not available in El Copé.
Tipping is not standard in rural Panama, but certainly acceptable (10% - 15%) if you feel the service was deserving.
The water is safe to drink in El Copé and surrounding communities. However, no one wants to be sick on their vacation and bottled water can be purchased in the stores in El Copé.
Temperatures can be chilly in the evening or when it is raining because El Copé is located in the mountains.
In most times of the year mosquitoes are not bad (guests are always advised to check with the Center for Disease Control for current information on vaccinations, diseases, etc.).
Still have questions about your visit? E-mail me!
Julie Ray is an Examiner from Norfolk. You can see Julie's articles on Julie's Home Page.
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Original Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-12916-Norfolk-Panama-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d12-El-Cope-Cocle-Lodging-in-the-rainforest-of-central-Panama
Date Retrieved: June 12, 2009
