Page 133 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

The Pacific beaches Central Panama 131
turn-off and worth a detour (see below). The trail eventually peters out; either return the
way you came, or turn right to descend a disintegrating asphalt road down to the main
road, where you can flag down a bus, or walk back down to the park entrance.
Sendero La Cruz
About 800m along the Sendero Panamá, the Sendero La Cruz climbs steeply to the
right, through trees dripping with epiphytes. Twenty minutes later the path forks:
to the left it climbs to the 1000m domed peak of Cerro Campana, the park’s highest
point, while to the right it descends and then climbs again for another forty minutes,
culminating in a giant boulder topped with an enormous cross. Unless you’re a
proficient rock-climber, follow the trail under the boulder for an easier clamber to the
other side. Although at 860m Cerro La Cruz is lower than Campana, it affords a slightly
better panorama, taking in the meandering Río Chame and the distant Pacific beach
resorts, with the rugged ridge of the Cordillera Central disappearing into the distance.

Sendero Podocarpus 3
The Sendero Podocarpus (600m), a loop trail off the Sendero Panamá, takes you
through some of Panama’s only native conifers of the same name, ending up in the
park’s campsite at Refugio Los Pinos. To return to the Sendero Panamá, turn left at the
T-junction below the campsite, then left again once you reach the main path to return
the way you came, or right at the second junction to reach the main road.
arrIVal anD DePartUre ParQUe naCIOnal altOS De CamPana
By bus Take any San Carlos, Capira or Chame bus from the 7am–8pm, returning on the hour; 40min).
Albrook bus terminal to the town of Capira, about 50km By car The park is signposted off the Interamericana to the
HIGHlIGHtS west of Panama City. Ask to be dropped off on the right 5km beyond Capira. You can leave the car at the park
Parque Nacional Altos de Campana Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos Interamericana a few hundred metres after the Shell entrance. Follow the path up beside the large house, where
garage at Restaurante Lily’s, where minibuses bound for the a sign marks the trailhead.
Punta Chame El Caño
El Valle Natá PANAMÁ mountain village of Chicá, via the park, depart (hourly
La Chorrera
InFOrmatIOn anD FeeS
COLÓN
Caimito Panama City (30km) MIA office The park office (daily 8am–4pm; T254 2848 in further up the mountainside to the park itself – on the right-
Panama City), where you should pay the $5 fee (and may get hand side, after a sign declaring “No Estoy”. You may be able to
Río Uracillo
San Miguel Cerro Trinidad
COCLÉ Centro (975m) Capira a map), is on the left-hand side of the road, 4km from the persuade the bus to wait while you sort out the formalities; if
PARQUE NACIONAL Interamericana turn-off. Unfortunately, it’s more than 3km not, you’ll have to wait for the next bus, or hike up to the park.
OMAR TORRIJOS EL COPÉ Cerro Marta San Pedro PARQUE NACIONAL Cerro Campana
(1046m) Chiguirí Arriba ALTOS DE CAMPANA (1207m) aCCOmmODatIOn anD eatInG
Cerro Peña Blanca Barrigón Chica
(1314m) Cerro Gaital ★ Quesos Chela Interamericana T223 7835, Refugio Los Pinos In the park (see above). A pleasant
Churuquita (1185m) Bejuco
El Copé Wfacebook.com/quesoschela. Stock up with supplies in camping spot surrounded by pine trees, about a 30min hike
La Grande El Valle Chame
Punta
Pintada Chame Capira at one of Panama’s gastronomic gems, which makes from the trailhead. Facilities are limited to toilets, water
Río Grande
Cerro Cenizo Penonomé Playa fresh yoghurt, croissants, empanadas and fancy breads, as and space to make a campfire. Make sure at the MIA office
Río Antón San Carlos Playa Coronado well as renowned cheeses. Daily 8am–8pm. (see above) that the ablutions block is unlocked. $6
(1626m) IN TERAMERI CA NA Gorgona
Scarlett Las Uvas Playa Río Mar
Playa El Palmar
Martínez
VERAGUAS el Caño Antón Río Hato Airport Santa Playa Corona N The Pacific beaches
International
Clara
Once the Interamericana hits the coastal plain at the western edge of Panama province,
Farallón
Playa Santa Clara
Natá
Playa
Blanca roads start to branch off the main artery like blood vessels, feeding the various beaches
along the Pacific coast. With locations to suit surfers, swimmers and sunbathers, and
Aguadulce Bahía de sand ranging from charcoal grey through tan to pale cream, these beaches have become
Parita
Ingenio INTERAMERICANA PACIFIC 0 20 increasingly built up over recent years. The developments – beyond the odd surf spot –
Santa OCEAN kilometres primarily cater to weekending capital-dwellers, a few expat communities and Latin
rosa Playa
Divisa HERRERA El Salado Central Panama Americans on package holidays. Travellers looking for less developed beaches will find
Santiago (35km) & David (210km) offerings in the Azuero, Chiriquí and Bocas with greater appeal.
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