Panama’s Secret Natural Attractions

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Although just 30,000+ square miles, roughly the size of South Carolina, Panama has plenty of unexplored spaces.  Approximately 35% of the country is sheltered by National Parks and protected areas.  Unlike more touristy eco-destinations, a traveler in Panama often finds himself among the few visitors to even the more popular sites.  If you are the type who enjoys being “ahead of the crowd” and enveloped by the silence of nature, Panama could be your ticket.

Here are a few of Panama’s undiscovered gems:

Ancon Hill in Panama City – This is one of the neatest and least-explored quiet spots inside Panama City’s metro area. Take a short hike up to the famous point where the U.S. flag flew for nearly a century.  There’s a surprising amount of foliage and wildlife so close to the city center.  From the top you’ll enjoy scenic views of the Canal and Panama’s ever-changing skyline.  If you go on a weekday, chances are you’ll see few other tourists, if any.

Darien National Park – At over 2,000 square miles it is larger than any other park in Central America. This giant eco-wonderland and is known among naturalists as one of the last great places to see a nearly undisturbed rainforest ecosystem.  A UNESCO world heritage site, the reserve boasts fantastic birding which includes the massive harpy eagle, as well as other rainforest creatures such as tapirs, jaguars, poison dart frogs, sloth and monkeys to name but a few.  Only one road enters this section of the country, East of Panama City and heading toward the border of Colombia.  The trip takes about 5 hours each way from the Capital, with the last hour on poor roads.  Travel during the rainy season isn’t advisable.  Tours should be conducted with a reliable tour guide only, since some parts of the dense forest are known stomping grounds for bandits, drug traffickers and guerillas.  This is for true adventurers only.  Much of the area is inhabited by native Embera tribes, so it’s a true immersed experience both in ecologically and culturally.

Omar Torrijos National Park – Perhaps one of Panama’s least-visited parks, this Cloud Forest has a series of trails maintained by the U.S. Peace Corps.  Located in the Central Province of Cocle, near the town of Penonome, the park is about 3 hours from Panama City off the Intercontinental Highway. Named after former President Omar Torrijos, the park sits on the Continental Divide and spans 62,000 acres.  The park has stunning waterfalls. Woodpeckers, jaguars, pumas and a wide variety of unique insects are some of the sites, along with ever present greenery. Camping is permitted and a simple dorm with kitchen is available.  The charming towns of Cope and Penonome are also worth a look.

Cerro Hoya National Park - In the SW corner of the Azuero Peninsula, this nearly 70,000+ hectare park protects wildlife and forest in one of the regions most devastated by cattle farming and deforestation.  Due it its remoteness and vast size, the park is virtually unexplored by tourists.  High volcanic peaks offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.  95 species of birds can be found here, including the endangered scarlet macaw. Among notable mammals, white tailed deer lived within the park, as well as jaguars and ocelots exist in this dense forest.  This is NOT a hike for beginners.  Enter with a seasoned guide only.

These are just a few of the untapped natural resources in Panama.  But hurry, secrets this good don’t last long in the world tourism community.