National park · Panama
Altos de Campana National ParkVườn quốc gia Altos de Campana
Enter Altos de Campana for a short hike: $5 entry (check), drive 1 h west of Panama City, visit Dec–Apr for dry weather; avoid weekend 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
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
approximate
Established
1966
Best months
Apr, Dec
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
- 20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
- The park covers about 1,950 ha (≈19.5 km²).
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Apr, Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Panama City
Altos de Campana, Panama’s oldest national park, lies just an hour west of Panama City. It offers easy access, several marked trails, and a rich birdwatching scene with 267 species, including the orange‑bellied trogon. The terrain ranges from 400 m to 1,180 m, featuring volcanic rocks, waterfalls and cloud‑forest streams.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1966.
Size and age
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²) · national park since 1966
The park covers about 1,950 ha (≈19.5 km²).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Panama City.
Why go
- Easy day‑trip from Panama City with several marked trails.
- Birdwatching hotspot with 267 species, including orange‑bellied trogon.
- Mountain scenery up to 1,180 m, volcanic rocks and waterfalls.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, warm.
- FebDry, warm.
- MarDry, warm.
- AprPeak dry season.
- MayIncreasing rain.
- JunRainy.
- JulRainy.
- AugRainy.
- SepRainy.
- OctTransition to dry.
- NovDryening.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange‑bellied trogon and other endemic birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coatis, opossums, tamarin monkeys, slothsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Golden frog (critical)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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
Drive west on CA‑1 70 km (43 mi), turn onto route 808 to Chica; park entrance 9 km (5.6 mi) from turn‑off.Drive west on CA‑1 43 mi (70 km), turn onto route 808 to Chica; park entrance 5.6 mi (9 km) from turn‑off.
≈1 h
Open the page →
From Panama City
Bus to Capira, then mini‑bus (combi) to Chica; walk to park entrance.
≈2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger station (headquarters) | Ticket office, maps, information desk. | Open to visitors. |
| Podocarpus trail area | Designated campsites, birdwatching spots. | Camping allowed in marked sites. |
| Cerro Pajita summit | Viewpoint over the park and Pacific horizon. | Hike from trailhead; no guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 are approximate centre of the park.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$5 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry registration permit or guide
Park rules
- Trash
- All waste must be carried out.
- Plant removal
- Strictly prohibited.
- Campfires
- Not allowed outside designated sites.
- Registration
- Must register at MiAMBIENTE before entering.
- Smoking
- Prohibited inside the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Cabins on route 808
Basic cabins for rent near the park entrance.
In the park
Camping
Designated campsites on the Podocarpus trail.
Near the park
Chica village lodgings
Guesthouses and small hotels a few km from the park.
Safety
Insects low
Heat and humidity medium
Rainfall sudden showers 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
- Roads to the park are paved; vehicle access is easy.
- Trails are uneven and steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails and use designated campsites.
- Hire local guides to support community income.
- Carry out all waste; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Altos de Campana National Park?
Entry is about $5 per person (2026 estimate, check).
What are the best hikes in Altos de Campana National Park?
Cerro Pajita summit for views and the Podocarpus trail for birdwatching and waterfalls.
When is the best time to visit Altos de Campana National Park?
Dry season from mid‑December through April offers the most reliable weather.
Can I camp in the park?
Yes, but only in designated campsites on the Podocarpus trail.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is not required for short hikes, but recommended for safety and wildlife spotting.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Altos de Campana National Park
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