La Amistad International Park

Parque Internacional La Amistad

A vast UNESCO World Heritage transboundary park shared with Costa Rica, protecting some of Central America's most biodiverse cloud and rainforest. Accessible from the Las Nubes ranger station near Cerro Punta, it offers trails, waterfalls and exceptional birding.

Things to do

• Hike the Sendero El Retorno — Follow this well-marked loop trail from the Las Nubes ranger station through dense oak and cloud forest.
• Register at Las Nubes ranger station — Sign in with ANAM/MiAmbiente staff at the park entrance near Cerro Punta before entering the trails.
• Search for the Resplendent Quetzal — Look for this iconic long-tailed bird in the highland cloud forest, especially in the early morning.
• Visit the park's waterfalls — Trails lead to cascades tumbling through the misty forest, a refreshing reward mid-hike.
• Birdwatch for endemic highland species — Spot silvery-throated jays, black guans and volcano hummingbirds in one of Panama's richest birding zones.
• Explore the Cerro Punta agricultural valley — Wander the surrounding highland farmland known for vegetables, flowers and Panama's finest coffee.
• Hire a local guide for forest ecology — Community guides explain the park's mosses, epiphytes and medicinal plants along the trails.

Food to try

• Trucha (highland trout) — Freshwater trout farmed in the cold Chiriquí highland streams, often grilled or fried and served with patacones.
• Café de Cerro Punta — Sample the region's high-altitude arabica coffee, grown on the volcanic slopes around Volcán Barú.
• Sancocho de gallina — A hearty Panamanian chicken soup with yuca, ñame and culantro, perfect for the chilly mountain climate.
• Highland strawberries and vegetables — Roadside stands in Cerro Punta sell fresh strawberries, lettuce and other produce from the cool valley farms.
• Fresh fruit batidos — Try milk or water-based fruit shakes made with local strawberries or blackberries from the highlands.

Local customs & good to know

• Pay the park entrance fee and register — Foreign visitors pay a MiAmbiente fee at Las Nubes and must sign the logbook for safety.
• Dress for cold, wet weather — The cloud forest is chilly, misty and rainy even midday, so bring layers and a rainproof jacket.
• Respect the Naso and Ngäbe communities — The transboundary park borders indigenous territories, so seek permission and hire local guides when appropriate.
• Start early and check weather — Mornings offer the clearest views and best wildlife activity before afternoon clouds and rain roll in.

Nearby

• Cerro Punta — 9 km
• Volcán Barú National Park — 16 km
• Volcán — 17 km
• The Lost Waterfalls — 23 km