National Parks

Bastimentos National Park Encompasses a large portion of Bastimentos Island, in addition to Zapatilla Cays, Crawl Cay, Red Frog Beach and the waters and mangroves that surround the island. Just off Isla Colon, and within view of Bocas town, this National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bocas del Toro province. There are great secluded beaches as well as fantastic snorkeling and diving spots. You can also see plenty of the small and illusive Poison Dart Frogs or visit an isolated indigenes Indian village.

Metropolitan Natural Park The Metropolitan Natural Park (MNP), situated just outside of downtown Panama City, serves as a wonderful retreat for those interested in escaping from the neighboring city; it is the only park in Tropical Latin America with a natural forest located within a metropolitan capital. Just a short 5-10 minute taxi ride away, this park has three trail and is sometimes visited by monkeys, iguanas and other animals.

La Amistad National Park La Amistad International Park was established in 1988 by the governments of Costa Rica and Panama in order to protect this incredibly diverse region. For many endangered species this is the last large and unbroken habitat in Central America. With seven different life zones and over 207,000 (511,000 acres) on the Panamanian side alone, it supports more large animals than any other park, including five of the six species of cats found in Central America.

Marino Golfo de Chiriquí National Park The Marino Golfo de Chirique park on the Pacific coast of Panama encompasses two dozen islands in over 14,740 hectares (36,420 acres) of ocean. It is a veritable outdoor and water playground, with great diving, snorkeling, surfing, fishing, bird watching, boating and hiking. On the islands there is incredible wildlife such as howler monkeys and tiger-herons as well as leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles.

Volcán Barú National Park Volcán Barú is near Boquete and is the highest mountain in all of Panama at 3,475 meters (11,400 ft.). In the national park there are plenty of hiking trails including one that goes all the way to the summit. From the top it is possible on a clear day to see both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The park is also one of the best places in the world to see the Resplendent Quetzal, the most beautiful bird in all of Central America.