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In a country
where the sun rises over the Pacific and sets in the Caribbean you should
have unusual expectations: well, you are unlikely to be disappointed:
Panama has some of the most accessible rainforests and high altitude
cloud forest on earth. In Panama, even the most experienced travelers
can discover wonders of creation that open eyes and minds to a deeper
understanding of our planet's incredible richness and infinite variety.
You will find a wide range of tropical landscapes that are turning Panama
into a major destination for eco-adventure with a variety of attractions
available to rediscover the breath-taking harmony of nature: innocent,
pure, inviting. In Panama will find more than 10.000 varieties of plants
and more than 933 species of birds - more than can be found in all of
North America and Europe combined - including, some of the rarest on
Earth. Panama is taking strong measures to protect and promote one of
its best kept secrets: a national park and wildlife refuge system that
is equal to or more extensive than any other in Central America. Currently
29 percent of Panama's total area is protected. There are 15 parks,
reserves and refuges, including five national parks within hours of
Panama City. Let Explore Panama guide you through the myriad of possibilities.
Pick
a region from the Panama Regions Map
Pick a location from the Panama Protected Areas
Map
The following reserve
and park numbers are the ones used in the beautiful "Parques Nacionales
PANAMA National Parks" book, by Juan Carlos Navarro Q.
Azuero
Peninsula (Herrera Province, Los Santos Province)
(13)
Cerro Hoya National Park: This Park protect the headwaters of 3
rivers, and many endemic plant and animal species. Within the confine
of the park is some of the last remaining forest on the peninsula.
(14) Sarigua National Park: this Park stands
as a sharp contrast to the nearby rain forests and mountains. Sarigua
is a highly arid region with its own unique life forms, as well as archaeological
sites dating back to before the arrival of the conquistadores in Central
America.
(15) Parque Nacional General de Division Omar Torrijos
Herrera: 25,275 hectares of primary forest in Panama's Central Cordillera.
This park contains an important diversity of environments and communities
(16) Reserva Forestal la Laguna de la Yeguada:
7,090 hectares of native forested and reforested with pines to help
recover degraded soils. From the Pacific-facing slopes, the reserve
offers panoramic views of the region.
(17) Natural Monument of Los Pozos de Calobre:
Typical examples of plants and animal life in natural volcanic canyons.
Highlights include thermal water and riverine habitat
(18) Area Natural Recreativa Salto de las Palmas:
This small 1 hectare area include a waterfall and natural spa.
(19) Reserva Forestal la Montuoso: 10,375 hectare
reserve created to stabilize an area of mostly disturbed forests.
(20) Reserva Forestal la Tronosa: 20,579 hectares
that conserve examples of native flora and fauna, as well as some disturbed
wild areas.
(21) Cenegon del Mangle Wildlife Refuge: 1,000
hectares of coastal lagoons, wetlands and coastal marine environment
in Parita Bay.
(22) El Penon del Cedro de los Pozos Wildlife Refuge:
30 hectares.
(23) Penon de la Honda Wildlife Refuge: 3,900
hectares of mangroves, beaches, dunes and thermal waters. This is one
of the most important nesting site for shore and sea birds in the Azuero
region.
(24) Pablo Arturo Barios Wildlife Refuge: This
refuge of mangrove, beaches, dunes coasts and river delta protects the
marine coastal at the eastern end of the Azuero Peninsula. It is an
important nesting site for sea turtles.
(25) Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge: a 53-hectare
refuge is a nesting ground for sea turtles.
(28) Isla de Canas Wildlife Refuge: 25,433 protecting
one of Panama's most important sea-turtle nesting site.
(32) Humedal el Golfo de Montijo: 89,452 hectares
of mangroves, wetlands and marine coast. This wetland has been recognized
of international importance when it was included on the Ramsar Convention's
list of Wetlands Areas.
Bocas
Del Toro
(34) La Amistad International Park: One of Panama's
largest parks. La Amistad includes the oldest and largest tract of primary
forest in the country, much of it untouched since Man first arrived
more than 20,000 years ago. With ten ecosystems ranging from tropical
subalpine, the park has hundreds of species of plants and animals that
are found nowhere else and a total bird population of more than 600
varieties.
(36) Palo Seco Buffer Forest: 244,000 hectares
of primary forests in one of Panama's most extensive and diverse areas.
(39) Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park:
On Panama's northwestern Caribbean coast, is the country's first marine
park. Located on several points of the Archipelago de Bocas del Toro,
it is not only home to a large variety of sea turtles, who come to the
beaches to lay eggs, but also a refuge for abundant sea life, birds,
reptiles and other animals. Coral reefs offer excellent scuba diving
and snorkeling opportunities.
(42) Humedal de San San-Pond Sak: 16,125 hectares
of protected mangroves, channels, wetlands, lagoons, beaches and marine
coastal environments.
(43) Solarte Ecological Reserve: Located on
the island of Solarte, a 15-minute boat ride from Bocas town, this small
private reserve offers volunteer opportunities to those wishing to combine
a vacation with worthwhile endeavors. Contact the Sustainable Land Stewardship
Institute at slsi@cwnet.com for
more information on volunteer opportunities.
Chiriqui
Highlands and Chiriqui
(35) Volcan Baru National Park: About a seven
hour drive from the capital or a one hour flight, this 14,000-hectare
park situated on the imposing 3,475-meter Volcan Baru, is one of Panama's
most scenic regions, often called the Switzerland of Central America.
On a clear day, both the Pacific and the Caribbean may be seen from
the top of the volcano.
(37) Reserva Forestal Fortuna: 19,500 hectares
of highlands with more than 1,136 plants identified so far and some
of the best bird-watching opportunities.
(38) Humedal Lagunas de Volcan: 142 hectares
1,200 meters above sea-level, is the highest marsh ecosystem in Panama.
Darien
Jungle
(1) Darién National Park: This is one of the
great wilderness areas of the Americas. This 579,000-hectare park is
the largest in Panama, with large areas still unexplored, has more than
300 species of birds, including the world's most powerful eagle, the
Harpie. With ist network of beaches, rocky coasts, mangroves, freshwater
marshes, palm forest swamps, mountain ranges, dense tropical jungles
and wild streams and rivers, it covers the most diverse territory of
any national park in tropical America. Without roads, access to the
park is by river or air. Darién and La Amistad are among the most remote
national parks in the western hemisphere. Because of its isolation and
inherent dangers, this Park is best explored with a guide by the well-prepared
nature enthusiast rather than the casual visitor. UNESCO listed this
area as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
(2) Natural Reserve Punta Patino: 30,000 hectares
of coast, mangroves, forests and mountain, with biodiversity that surpasses
that of the Darien National Park.
(3) Serrania de Bagre Biological Corridor: 30,000
hectares.
(4) Canglon Forest Reserve: 31,650 hectares of
somewhat deforested lowland forests. (5) Serrania Filo del Tallo
Hydrological Reserve: 24,722 hectares preserving important remnant
moist tropical forests
Pacific
Lost Coast
(Los Santos Province, Veraguas Province, Chiriqui Lowlands)
(26) Isla de Coiba National Park: This remote
park protects marine and coastal ecosystems in an almost virgin setting.
It is the last refuge in panama for the scarlet macaw, and the waters
around the island are breeding grounds for several species of whale.
(27) Parque Nacional Marino Golfo de Chiriqui: 14,740-hectare
island and marine park that protects several area islands. Park beaches
are used as nesting and laying site by sea turtles.
(30) Playa de la Barqueta Agricola Wildlife Refuge:
5,935 hectares of mangroves, beaches and wetlands. An important nesting
site for sea and shore birds and sea turtles, as well as an important
roosting and feeding site for migrating birds.
(31) Playa Boca Vieja Wildlife Reserve: 3,740
hectares of beaches, mangroves and coast. A nesting site for sea turtles.
Panama
Central Zone
(Panama Province, Canal Zone, Cocle Province, Colon Province) (6) Chagres
National Park: A 30 minute drive from Panama City, is a 129,000
hectares mountainous region of dense forest containing a large selection
of bird and animal life. Its rivers provide much of the water for the
city and the Panama Canal.
(7) Soberania National Park: 20,000 hectares
approximately a 20 minute ride from Panama City or 30 minute from Colón
along the Panama Canal, is one of the most visited rain forests in Central
America. it was in Soberania that the Audubon Society established a
world-record bird count of over 400 different species.
(8) Barro Colorado Island: Located in Gatun Lake
along the Panama Canal, is a research station operated by the Smithsonian
institute and used by scientist from around the world to study tropical
flora and fauna. Barro Colorado is open to a few visitors at a time
on certain days. A visit, including the boat trip to the Island, is
a full day excursion from Panama City.
(9) Altos de Campana National Park and Biological
Reserve: Only a 45 minute drive from Panama City. This park is a
prime example of a Central American cloud forest environment because
of its geography and weather patterns. Nearby is El Valle de Anton where
you will find the rare golden frog.
(10) Camino de Cruces National Park: This park
forms an ecological corridor connecting Soberania National Park and
the Metropolitano Natural Park. There are waterfalls and a great variety
of flora and fauna, including marmosets, armadillos, green iguanas and
three-toed sloths.
(11) Metropolitan Natural Park: A tropical forest
within the boundaries of Panama City where the Smithsonian Institution
does research on the ecology of rain forest canopies; Metropolitan is
home to some 200 kinds of birds, monkeys, deer, reptiles, and other
animals.
(12) Lake Gatun Recreation Area: 348 hectares
of moist tropical forests on the shores of Lake Gatun
(29) Reserva Natural Isla San Telmo: This 240-hectare
private reserve in the Las Perlas Archipelago protects endangered moist
premontane forests that used to be typical of the islands in the Gulf
of Panama.
(33) Taboga Y Uraba Wildlife Refuge: 257 hectares
protecting parts of Taboga and Uraba islands.
(40) Portobelo National Park: This World Heritage
Site protects 70 km of coastal areas with rich coral reefs, and the
ruins of the historic spanish forts and settlements at Portobelo. El
Cope National Park: This park includes cloud forest and rubber trees.
Good hiking opportunities near the summit. National Park Interoceanico
de las Americas: Panama's newest park protects the watershed of the
Panama Canal.
San
Blas Archipelago
(41) Area Silvestre de Nargana: Nearly 99,000
hectares home of sevral unusual birds, and the many plants used in traditional
Kuna medicine.
PANAMA REGIONS MAP
PANAMA
PROTECTED AREAS MAP
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