Major city · Panama
Volcán
Spend 2 days: one for town basics and a short hike, a second for a Volcán Barú summit trek (full day).
Volcán is a small hub for hikers heading to Volcán Barú and nearby natural sites. One night covers the town’s eateries and hostels; a second day allows a summit hike or canyon visit.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PAB
- Best months
- Jan–Apr
- avoid Sep–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- DAV
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Volcán104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Volcán, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; main risks are slippery trails and occasional road potholes.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire and ambulance · 911 General emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDAV Enrique Malek International Airport (David) (About 50 km (31 mi) south; minibus to Volcán takes ~1 h.).DAV Enrique Malek International Airport (David) (About 31 mi (50 km) south; minibus to Volcán takes ~1 h.).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; taxis available.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)$2–3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km))$5–8
- Budget bedHostal Llano Lindo private room, a night, per personPAB 15
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PAB 30 · Mid PAB 45 · High PAB 70
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DAV Enrique Malek International Airport (David) (About 50 km (31 mi) south; minibus to Volcán takes ~1 h.)DAV Enrique Malek International Airport (David) (About 31 mi (50 km) south; minibus to Volcán takes ~1 h.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jan–Apr. Avoid: Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Volcán: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; taxis available. Minibus from David terminal (≈$3) drops at Volcán. For park access, use a rough gravel road from the gas station or a taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Volcán Barú summit
goDoor to door: ≈5 h round‑trip (full hike) or 2 h by taxi to base then hike.
Taxi or hike from town via gas‑station turn; about 30 min to park entrance.
Start early; weather changes fast at summit.
Macho de Monte Canyon
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Minibus to Cuesta de Piedra junction ($2.45), then walk 3 km (1.9 mi) east.Minibus to Cuesta de Piedra junction ($2.45), then walk 1.9 mi (3 km) east.
Bring waterproof gear for the waterfall descent.
Cerro Punta
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h from David, then local walk.
Minibus from David terminal, same line as Volcán; get off at Cerro Punta.
Limited services; check bus schedule.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hostal Llano Lindo
$15 private room + breakfast; central location, walk to restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $20–30 excl. bed
- Mid
- $35–50 excl. bed
- High
- $60+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostal Llano Lindo private room1 × 2 nights × PAB 18 | PAB 36 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × PAB 45 | PAB 90 |
| Minibus David → Volcán (round‑trip)1 × PAB 6 · check | PAB 6 |
| Taxi to Barú park entrance1 × PAB 12 · check | PAB 12 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × PAB 10 · check | PAB 10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PAB 15 |
| Trip total≈ PAB 85 per person per day, bed included | PAB 169 |
Includes breakfast.
2026 estimate in USD; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | $2–3 |
| Meal at fonda (e.g., Castrejon) | $5–7 |
| Taxi within town (5 km) | $5–8 |
| Minibus ticket David → Volcáncheck | $3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Unmarked trails may cross private farms – close gates behind you.
- Road to Barú via Paso Ancho is gravel and can be rough after rain.
- Cell signal drops behind hills; keep offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 103
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
VolcánVolcán
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire and ambulance103
- General emergency911
Embassy
US consulate in Panama City; nearest Panamanian police station in David.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- David → Volcán minibus: about $3, 1 h (check)
- Taxi town → Barú entrance: about $12, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-kuhl-pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don-deh es-tah el ban-yo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Volcán. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Apr · avoid Sep–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a guided Barú summit trek for safety.
- Include a rainy‑season contingency plan.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Volcán
- secondaryWikivoyage: Volcan, revision 5241006 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Volcán
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