National park · Panama
Barro Colorado Island
Book a full‑day STRI tour for $125 non‑Panamanian adults, start early to avoid heat, no overnight stay allowed.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
16 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (16 km²)
approximate
Established
1923
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
- Central Panama ↗Parts of the Canal watershed and the former Canal Zone are restricted or military land; stay on marked roads and trails.
- Central Panama ↗US dollars work everywhere; small vendors and rural buses want cash, and cards fail outside the city.
At a glance
- Country
- Panama
- Area
- 16 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (16 km²)
- Island area 15.6 km² (land only), as reported by STRI (check).
- Established
- 1923
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Barro Colorado Island is a 15.6 km² protected rainforest reserve in Lake Gatún, managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Access is by reservation only, with guided full‑day tours that include a hike, museum visit and lunch.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected natural reserve managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Size and age
16 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (16 km²) · national park since 1923
Island area 15.6 km² (land only), as reported by STRI (check).
Why go
- Walk a guided rainforest trail with a Smithsonian researcher.
- See over 400 bird species and 500 butterfly species in a pristine jungle.
- Visit the on‑site museum and enjoy a Panamanian lunch.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler mornings.
- FebDry, comfortable.
- MarDry, good visibility.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayRain increases, trails muddy.
- JunRainy, humid.
- JulRainy, hotter.
- AugRainy, possible storms.
- SepRainy, occasional heavy downpours.
- OctRain less frequent, still warm.
- NovTransition to dry.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (400+ species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Butterflies (500+ species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monkeys, anteaters, reptilesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Panama City
Bus or car to Gamboa (≈30 km (19 mi)), then a short boat ride from the Gamboa dock to the island.Bus or car to Gamboa (≈19 mi (30 km)), then a short boat ride from the Gamboa dock to the island.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Gamboa
Walk to the dock and board the STRI boat.
≈15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gamboa dock | Boat embarkation point, visitor check‑in. | Open with reservation. |
| STRI research station | Visitor centre, museum, cafeteria. | Open during tours. |
| Rainforest trails | Network of paths used for the guided hike. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on island centre and Gamboa dock.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full‑day STRI tour (non‑Panamanian adult) | US$125 | person | Includes guide, lunch, museum entry. |
| Panamanian adult tour | Free | person | Rate lower; check current price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Tour reservation permit or guide
Park rules
- Reservation
- Advance booking required; walk‑in not accepted.
- Overnight stay
- Not allowed for tourists; only researchers may stay.
- Fires
- No open fires; use provided cafeteria facilities.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins limited on the island.
Where to stay
Near the park
Gamboa hotels
Mid‑range to budget lodgings a short drive from the dock.
Near the park
Panama City
Wide range of hotels; 30 min drive to Gamboa.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Mosquito‑borne disease medium
Muddy trails low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main dock and visitor centre are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Guided trail includes uneven ground and occasional mud; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support research by taking the official STRI tour.
- Do not feed wildlife or collect specimens.
- Carry out all trash.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Barro Colorado Island?
A full‑day STRI tour costs US$125 for non‑Panamanian adults; lower rates exist for Panamanians, students and seniors (check current prices).
What are the best hikes in Barro Colorado Island?
The standard guided hike lasts about 3 hours, covering several rainforest trails with a researcher guide; it is included in the tour fee.
When is the best time to visit Barro Colorado Island?
The dry season (December – April) offers cooler weather and drier trails; the rainy season (May – November) can make paths muddy and hotter.
Can I stay overnight on Barro Colorado Island?
No. Overnight stays are limited to bona‑fide researchers; tourists must stay in Gamboa or Panama City.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. All visitor tours are led by Smithsonian researchers; independent hiking is not permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Barro Colorado Island
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