What to do in Altos de Campana: a complete guide

Altos de Campana is the first national park declared in Panama, created in 1966, and it is still one of the easiest places to escape the city without losing half a day on the road. It sits in Panama Oeste province, about 60 kilometers from the capital, reached by climbing through Chica.

The weather: why people drive up

The main reason anyone drives here is simple: the thermometer. At 692 meters above sea level the temperature stays between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, noticeably cooler than the city. Nights actually get chilly, enough for a light sweater, which surprises first-time visitors.

Trails and lookouts

The park has easy and moderate routes that take one to three hours. Lookouts face the Pacific and the Gulf of Chame, and on clear days you can see a long stretch of coast. Go early: cloud tends to roll up in the afternoon.

Waterfalls and rappelling

There are pools and falls around the area that make a good half day. For something stronger, guided rock-face rappelling runs with certified gear, no experience required, though basic fitness helps.

The coast, half an hour away

An underused advantage of the area is that driving down puts you at the Gulf of Chame. Between July and October it is humpback whale season in the Panamanian Pacific. There are also beginner surf lessons, fishing trips out to Otoque and Bona islands, and mangrove runs toward Taborcillo Island.

Getting there

Take the Pan-American Highway west, pass Capira and climb the Chica-Campana road. It is paved and no 4x4 is needed, though the climb winds and rises, so a first visit is better done in daylight.

Where to stay

Villa 692 sits right in the area, with four cabins, a restaurant, a pool, a firepit and on-site activities like the free-fall tower and the rope course. It makes a solid base for all of the above without driving back to the city every night.