National park · Panama
Sarigua National ParkParque Nacional Sarigua
Enter Sarigua National Park for $7 USD (B/. 7) foreign adult fee, hike the Observation Tower trail early (under 9 am) in the dry season (Jan–Apr) to avoid heat and crowds.
- 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
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1985
Best months
Jan–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, 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.
- Pacific West ↗Balboa (PAB) is 1:1 with the US dollar; US notes circulate, change comes in Panamanian coins.
- Pacific West ↗Drive on the right. Rental cars cannot be taken across the Costa Rican border.
- Pacific West ↗La Amistad International Park charges foreign visitors about $5 and closes at 16:00; verify current hours at the ranger station.
At a glance
- Country
- Panama
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Exact size not published; estimate based on park boundaries (check).
- Established
- 1985
- Best months
- Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Sarigua National Park preserves a stark coastal desert landscape with mangroves, archaeological sites and an Observation Tower, offering a glimpse into Panama's fragile dry‑zone ecosystems.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1985.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1985
Exact size not published; estimate based on park boundaries (check).
Why go
- Explore a stark desert‑like coastal landscape with mangroves and archaeological sites.
- Climb the Observation Tower for panoramic views of the dry lakebed and Parita Bay.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler evenings.
- FebDry, heat manageable early.
- MarDry, before peak heat.
- AprStart of wet season, occasional rain.
- MayRain increases, trails muddy.
- JunWet season, higher humidity.
- JulWet, possible flooding.
- AugWet, heat remains high.
- SepWet, occasional storms.
- OctTransition to dry, less heat.
- NovDry, milder temperatures.
- DecDry, cooler mornings.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various shore birdsAll year · Check with guide for seasonal sightings. | 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 from Albrook terminal to Chitré (3‑4 h), then bus to Parita, then 5.5 km (3.4 mi) road to park entrance (8 min by car).Bus from Albrook terminal to Chitré (3‑4 h), then bus to Parita, then 3.4 mi (5.5 km) road to park entrance (8 min by car).
5–6 h total
Open the page →
From Panama City
Drive Pan‑American Highway 240 km (149 mi) to Parita, then turn to Puerto Limón; final km unpaved.Drive Pan‑American Highway 149 mi (240 km) to Parita, then turn to Puerto Limón; final km unpaved.
≈4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center | Ticket office, information desk, start of guided hikes. | Open daily 8:00–16:00 with reservation.Open daily 8:00 AM–4:00 PM with reservation. |
| Observation Tower area | Short trail to a tower offering park overview. | Open with entry ticket. |
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.
Approximate positions based on Parita area; exact park coordinates not published.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign adult entry | US$7 | person | — |
| Foreign child (under 12) entry | Free | person | Free |
| Panamanian national/resident entry | US$4 | person | — |
| Retiree/pensioner entry | US$2 | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry reservation permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$7
- US$4
- US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Not allowed in the park.
- Fires
- Only in designated areas; otherwise prohibited.
- Litter
- Carry out all trash or use bins provided.
- Reservation
- Entry requires reservation 72 h in advance.
Where to stay
Near the park
Parita town
Basic hotels and guesthouses, ~10 km (6.2 mi) from park gate.Basic hotels and guesthouses, ~6.2 mi (10 km) from park gate.
Near the park
Aguadulce
More accommodation options, 30 km (19 mi) north.More accommodation options, 19 mi (30 km) north.
Safety
Heat medium
Dehydration medium
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
- Visitor Center reachable by car; short trails are flat but lack wheelchair ramps.
Visiting lightly
- Bring reusable water bottles; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile soil.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sarigua National Park?
Foreign adults pay B/. 7 (≈ $7 USD); children under 12 enter free. Residents pay B/. 4, retirees B/. 2. Reservations are required.
What are the best hikes in Sarigua National Park?
The short walk to the Observation Tower is easy and offers the best view. The guided La Mula archaeological trail is a moderate option.
When is the best time to visit Sarigua National Park?
Visit in the dry season, especially January to March, to avoid heat and rain; start early to beat the midday temperature.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
Guides are required for the La Mula archaeological site and any off‑site hikes; the Observation Tower trail is self‑guided.
Can I bring food and drinks into the park?
You may bring water and snacks, but no alcoholic beverages; pack out all waste.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sarigua National Park
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