National park · Panama
Cerro Hoya National ParkParque Nacional Cerro Hoya
Visit Cerro Hoya National Park: pay the entry permit (check cost with MiAMBIENTE), hike the Cerro Hoya summit trail (check duration and conditions) or the Tres Cerros ridge trek (check if a guide is required) in the dry season (Dec–Apr); avoid the rainy months May–Nov.
- 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
326 km² (126 sq mi)126 sq mi (326 km²)
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
Dec–Apr
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
- 326 km² (126 sq mi)126 sq mi (326 km²)
- Area reported as 32,557 ha (≈ 325.57 km²); figures may vary by source.
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cambutal
Cerro Hoya National Park protects dense virgin forest on the extinct volcano’s slopes, offering cloud‑forest hikes, wildlife spotting and remote coastal scenery.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1984.
Size and age
326 km² (126 sq mi)126 sq mi (326 km²) · national park since 1984
Area reported as 32,557 ha (≈ 325.57 km²); figures may vary by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cambutal.
Why go
- Dense virgin forest on the slopes of an extinct volcano.
- Spot jaguars, ocelots, spider monkeys and up to 225 bird species.
- Climb Cerro Hoya (1,559 m) for cloud‑forest views.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool; ideal for hikes.
- FebDry, cool; low crowds.
- MarDry, pleasant temps.
- AprEnd of dry season, clear skies.
- MayStart of rains; trails get slippery.
- JunFrequent rain, high humidity.
- JulRainy, fog common.
- AugRainy, trail mud.
- SepRainy, occasional breaks.
- OctRainy season continues; trails muddy.
- NovRainy season; trails wet.
- DecDry, cooler; good for wildlife spotting.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammals: jaguar, ocelot, spider monkey, night monkey, howler monkeyAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds: crested eagle, great green macaw, great curassow, Azuero parakeetMar–Dec | no | no | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cambutal gateway | Visitor registration office, parking, basic services. | Open with permit. |
| Cerro Hoya summit area | Trailhead for the summit hike and ridge trek. | Guided or self‑guided with permit; check trail conditions with MiAMBIENTE. |
| Designated camp zones | Camping sites (number unknown). | Permit required; limited to designated areas. |
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 are approximate centre of the park and key points; use a map for precise navigation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry permit | Free | person | Fee unknown; check with MiAMBIENTE before visiting. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must register and obtain a permit before entering.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas with advance permission from MiAMBIENTE.
- Trash
- Pack out all waste; no littering.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited outside designated pits; check regulations.
- Flora/fauna
- Collecting plants, feeding or hunting animals is forbidden.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cambutal eco‑lodges
Simple cabins with shared bathrooms; basic meals.
In the park
Camping in park
Designated sites; bring your own gear and cooking equipment; permit required.
Safety
Insects low
Rain and fog medium
Getting lost on long trek high
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
- Trailheads reachable by car from Cambutal; short walks to parking.
- Summit and ridge treks are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Obtain permits and respect camping limits.
- Support local eco‑lodges and buy food from Cambutal vendors.
- Leave no trace; pack out all rubbish.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cerro Hoya National Park?
The entry fee is unknown; check with MiAMBIENTE before visiting.
What are the best hikes in Cerro Hoya National Park?
The Cerro Hoya summit hike and the Tres Cerros ridge trek are popular; check trail conditions and guide requirements with MiAMBIENTE.
When is the best time to visit Cerro Hoya National Park?
The dry season (December–April) offers clear trails and good wildlife viewing; the rainy season (May–November) can make trails muddy.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
A guide may be required for the Tres Cerros ridge trek and is recommended for backcountry routes; check with MiAMBIENTE.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
Yes, but only in designated areas with advance permission from MiAMBIENTE.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cerro Hoya National Park
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