Major city · Panama
Cerro Punta
Half a day to one night: see the orchid garden Finca Drácula, then hike in La Amistad International Park. Not a base — stay in Boquete or David for longer trips.
Cerro Punta is a highland village (about 1,800 m) in western Panama, near the Costa Rican border. It is a quiet stop for Finca Drácula's orchid collection and the Panamanian side of La Amistad International Park. Most travellers pass through on the way between David and Boquete or as a short detour from Volcán.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PAB
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, trails muddy)
- Airport
- DAV
- Nights
- 1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cerro Punta104 ▾
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 Cerro Punta, 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
- SafetySafe village; watch for muddy roads and unmarked trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire · 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 1.5 h by bus or car; frequent buses from David to Cerro Punta.).
- Getting aroundWalking covers the village and Finca Drácula.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$1–2
- Street or quick mealLocal meal (set lunch)$5–8
- Metro or bus rideBus David–Cerro Puntacheck$4.30
- Museum or sight ticketFinca Drácula entry$20
- Budget bedHostel or basic lodge bed, a night, per personPAB 15
- Mid-range bedDouble room (B&B or hotel), a night, per roomPAB 70
- High-end bedDouble room (B&B or hotel), a night, per roomPAB 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PAB 30 · Mid PAB 55 · High PAB 100
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 1.5 h by bus or car; frequent buses from David to Cerro Punta.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Sep (19 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cerro Punta: 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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
16 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
18 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
17 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
18 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
19 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
19 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 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
Walking covers the village and Finca Drácula. For La Amistad park, you need a 4x4 taxi from Cerro Punta or Volcán; shared 4x4 taxis run to the ranger station (about $5 per person, 30 min).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Boquete
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h by car; 5–6 h by hike
4x4 taxi to the ranger station, then 8 km (5 mi) hike (5 h) or drive via Volcán (about 1 h by car)4x4 taxi to the ranger station, then 5 mi (8 km) hike (5 h) or drive via Volcán (about 1 h by car)
Dry season only for the hike; otherwise drive via Volcán.
Volcán
goDoor to door: 20 min
Bus or taxi, about 15 min
Small town with basic services and a market.
David
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus from Cerro Punta, about 1.5 h
Regional hub for buses and flights.
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.
Cerro Punta village centre
Basic lodges and B&Bs; closest to Finca Drácula and park access.
Bambito area
Between Volcán and Cerro Punta; Hotel Bambito and a few upscale options.
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
- $25–40 excl. bed
- Mid
- $40–70 excl. bed
- High
- $70+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (B&B or hotel)1 × 1 night × PAB 70 | PAB 70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PAB 55 | PAB 110 |
| Bus David–Cerro Punta, one way2 × PAB 4 · check | PAB 9 |
| Shared 4x4 to La Amistad ranger station2 × PAB 5 · check | PAB 10 |
| Finca Drácula entry2 × PAB 20 | PAB 40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PAB 24 |
| Trip total≈ PAB 132 per person per day, bed included | PAB 263 |
2026 estimate in US dollars (Panama uses USD as currency).
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $1–2 |
| Local meal (set lunch) | $5–8 |
| Bus David–Cerro Puntacheck | $4.30 |
| Finca Drácula entry | $20 |
| La Amistad park entry (foreigner) | $5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- La Amistad park trails are not marked in detail; hire a guide or go with a local driver.
- Rainy season (May–Nov) makes the 8 km (5 mi) trail to Boquete dangerous: do not attempt it.Rainy season (May–Nov) makes the 5 mi (8 km) trail to Boquete dangerous: do not attempt it.
- Finca Drácula requires advance booking; capacity is limited.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire
- 103
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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Cerro PuntaCerro Punta
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire103
- General emergency911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus David → Cerro Punta: about $4.30, 1.5 h (check)
- Shared 4x4 to La Amistad ranger station: about $5 per person, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? — Where is the bus stop? (don-deh es-tah la pah-rah-dah day ow-toh-boos)
- Quisiera una habitación — I would like a room (kee-syeh-rah oo-nah ah-bee-tah-see-ohn)
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 Cerro Punta. 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: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, trails muddy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas 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
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Cerro Punta
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