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Altos de Campana highlands
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Relief
Altos de Campana is a mountainous area and Panama's oldest national park, established in 1966. This area is located on the western edge of the Panama Canal watershed. Geologically, the park is the remnant of an eroded Miocene volcano. The landscape is characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys, and rocky peaks, such as Cerro Campana. The park is home to two main ecosystems: tropical dry forest on the Pacific-facing slopes and humid montane forest and cloud forest in the higher, inland areas. This diversity results in extremely rich biodiversity. Several viewpoints in the park offer sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean, the coastal plain, and the entrance to the Panama Canal. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the water supply for the canal.
- Location: Panama
- Top sights: Campana, Panama · Los Llanitos
- Nearby: Gorgona (4 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| Rain mm | 21 | 9 | 15 | 108 | 278 | 273 | 246 | 255 | 279 | 275 | 269 | 111 |
📋 Practical info
Getting there
The scenic highlands are relatively accessible via winding drives branching directly off from the main inter-American highway, leading significantly up into the cooler, densely forested elevations.
Best season
While strictly accessible year-round, the dry season months of January through April offer the most pleasant hiking conditions for deeply observing the rich flora without constant obscuring cloud cover.
Terrain & paths
Trails typically vary from well-maintained paths near administrative facilities to highly rugged, muddy tracks that carefully navigate the steep slippery slopes and dense foliage of the cloud forest.
What to bring
Visitors should always come prepared with reliable rain jackets, moisture-wicking clothing, and extremely sturdy hiking shoes capable of gripping notoriously slippery rocks and wet muddy inclines.
Parking
Dedicated parking spaces are typically provided at the main entrances of nature reserves or directly near prominent scenic viewpoints overlooking the vast regional hydropower catchments.
Safety
Dense mist can frequently roll in unexpectedly and obscure visibility completely; hikers are firmly advised to stay strictly on marked paths and inform someone trusted of their planned route beforehand.
Time needed
A comprehensive hike through the high-altitude forests and a relaxed visit to the prominent panoramic viewpoints can usually be very comfortably completed as a highly rewarding full-day trip.
Geography
Facts
- Panama's oldest national park (1966).
- The remnant of an eroded Miocene volcano.
- Part of the Panama Canal watershed.
- Both tropical dry and humid montane forests are found here.
- Its biodiversity is extremely rich.
- Offers views of the Pacific entrance to the canal.
- Plays an important role in bird conservation.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Altos de Campana highlands (2)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Is Altos de Campana a national park?
Yes, it was the country's first national park and has great hiking trails.
How long does it take from the capital?
By car, the drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Is there a visitor center there?
Yes, there is a small information center at the entrance.
Are the trails family-friendly?
Many trails are easy and suitable for children.
What is the highlight of the park?
The diverse flora and the viewpoints into the valleys.
Altos de Campana highlands: where is it located?
Altos de Campana highlands is located in Panama.
Altos de Campana highlands: what is there to see?
Highlights include Campana, Panama, Los Llanitos.
Altos de Campana highlands: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Mar.
Altos de Campana highlands: why is it worth visiting?
Altos de Campana is a mountainous area and Panama's oldest national park, established in 1966.
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More places
Cerro Campana
The mountain that gives its name to Panama's first national park, known for its cloud forests.
Cerro Trinidad Norte
The northern elevation of the Trinidad mountain massif.
Cerro Trinidad
A prominent peak in the Panama Oeste province, known for its steep slopes.
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Panama Gold Mining Site
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Cerro Ceniza
A smaller mountain near the capital, popular for hiking.
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