Volcán Barú National Park

Volcán Barú National Park is a protected area in Chiriquí Province, Panama, centered on Volcán Barú, the highest mountain in the country at 3,474 metres. The park conserves montane forests and high-elevation habitats on and around the volcano.

The park protects the volcanic massif of Barú, a prominent stratovolcano in western Panama whose slopes have shaped local land use and settlement patterns. The protected area maintains forest cover and habitat connectivity at high elevations in Chiriquí Province.

The park sits in western Panama’s Chiriquí Province, immediately above the highland towns of Boquete and Cerro Punta, and is a short drive from the provincial capital, David. The landscape is steep and montane, rising from agricultural highlands to the volcano’s summit.

• Elevation: Sits at the highest point in Panama, with a summit elevation of 3,474 metres above sea level.
• Panoramic views: Summit views can include both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on clear days, making the hike popular with hikers and photographers.
• Habitats: The park protects a range of montane ecosystems from lower montane forest up to paramo-like highland vegetation, important for birdwatching and endemic species.

What to See #

• Summit (Volcán Barú): Summit - The summit reaches 3,474 metres above sea level and provides panoramic views on clear days, including views toward both the Pacific and the Caribbean side of the isthmus.
• Trailheads and access: Boquete trailheads - Trails and access routes begin from the highland towns of Boquete and Cerro Punta, which serve as the usual starting points for day hikes and multi-day treks into montane forest.