Altos de Campana National Park

National Park Panama national park protecting cloud forest and peaks

West of Panama City, Altos de Campana National Park protects montane forest and hiking routes to viewpoints over the Pacific entrance; hikers come for trails and cooler mountain scenery.

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Altos de Campana National Park is a protected area in Panamá Oeste Province that preserves montane forest and highland habitats on the Pacific slope of Panama. It is a noted local center for upland forest, endemic plants and birdlife.

Trails lead through forested slopes to viewpoints on the park’s ridges where visitors can see fragmented mountain forest, valleys and, on clear days, distant coastal plains. The park is used for day hiking, birdwatching and low-impact nature visits rather than intensive recreation infrastructure.

The park was established to conserve the highland ecosystems and watersheds of the area and to provide public access to mountain scenery and forested trails. Management has focused on protecting native flora and fauna and maintaining trail access for visitors.

Altos de Campana sits in the western highlands of Panama, within Panamá Oeste Province, occupying upland terrain that forms a transition between coastal lowlands and inland mountain zones. The park is inland from the Pacific coast and northwest of Panama City.

  • Conservation value: The park protects cloud-forest remnants and upland watersheds that are important for regional biodiversity and local water supply.

What to See #

  • Cerro Campana: The park is dominated by a ridgeline and high-elevation forest that visitors access via several trails; one prominent high point is Cerro Campana, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding lowlands.
Altos de Campana National Park
Altos de Campana National Park, Panamá Oeste Province, Panama
8.7137, -79.9528
Daylight hours
Park entrance free; some trails and guided tours may have fees

How to Get to Altos de Campana National Park #

Altos de Campana National Park is roughly an hour’s drive from Panama City, heading west on the Pan-American Highway (Interamericana) and turning toward the interior at the town of La Chorrera or La Arena depending on route. Access is by car; local tour operators in Panama City and nearby towns offer guided day trips.

Tips for Visiting Altos de Campana National Park #

  • Start early for the Sendero trails to avoid heat and to catch valley views before haze builds.
  • Pack insect repellent and sturdy footwear - trails can be rooty and muddy after rain.
  • Visit the Mirador de la India for sunrise views over the Pacific lowlands; it's steep but worth the vantage.

Best Time to Visit Altos de Campana National Park #

Best visited during the dry season (December-April) for reliable trail conditions and clearer views from the high points.

Dry season (Dec-Apr)
December-April · 22-30°C (72-86°F)
Easier hiking with lower chance of rain and clearer summit views; the most comfortable season for trails.
Wet season (May-Nov)
May-November · 22-28°C (72-82°F)
Lush trails and dramatic waterfalls, but trails become slippery and access may be constrained by heavy rains.

Weather & Climate near Altos de Campana National Park #

Climate

Altos de Campana National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 29°C. Heavy rainfall (2689 mm/year), wettest in October with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 56 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
MarchFebruaryJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
21°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Regular rainfall (89 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 27°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.6h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and clear sunny skies.

89 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
11.7h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 28°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

April

April is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 29°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

May

May is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (317 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
21° 28°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

317 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

June

June is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (271 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 27°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

271 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.5h daylight

July

July is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (236 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 27°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

236 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.4h daylight

August

August is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (214 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 27°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

214 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.3h daylight

September

September is mild with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (362 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 27°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

362 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.1h daylight

October

October is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (480 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 27°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

480 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.8h daylight

November

November is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (345 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 27°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

345 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

December

December is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (169 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 27°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

169 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

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