The West Panama Province is full of beautiful places, whether with family, partner or friends. In the San Carlos District there is an impressive place, full of nature, mysteries and great potential to attract Visitors from all over the world who wish to have an eco-tourism and sustainable experience.
This natural Eden is located an hour and a half from Panama City, the Laguna (lagoon) de San Carlos is a tourist destination full of peace and relaxation where you can have adventures while camping.
Unique Nature in Panama
The lagoon is located 900 meters above sea level, between jungle and mystery, with a total area of 2 hectares. This lake is fed mainly by underground water sources and some water jets.
The beauty of the landscape, the delicious and fresh breeze, the great number of trees and the warm waters of the lagoon (which remain warm even at nightfall) make up the ideal place to spend a weekend of rest in contact with nature.
Magical Legends
Like many places surrounded by jungle and exotic landscapes, the lagoon has several magical legends that envelops people visiting.
According to historical accounts, it was the sacred place of the indigenous gods that inhabited its surroundings. On the shores of the lagoon, sacrifices were offered to make amends, but without crossing its banks since anyone who desecrated its waters ran the risk of becoming a frog or any kind of creeping animal.
Another legend tells that more than 30 years ago, some foreigners came to the lagoon to investigate its depth, its flora and fauna, but to their surprise, upon entering the lagoon the diver found a cave from which he took a plate and a glass of gold.
Mysteries That Attract Tourism
One of the attractions of the lagoon is that it has been under permanent study by scientists from Europe, the United States and Canada.
Divers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have explored the lagoon up to 18 meters deep, but have not been able to reach the bottom. Researchers have discovered that the lagoon presents a slight increase of 8 inches in the water level and attribute this phenomenon to high tides from the Pacific Ocean, located more than 60 kilometers away.
Other scientists from the University of Bogota have visited the lagoon to carry out experiments and determine its origin, however, so far no decisive conclusion has been reached.
French scientists took water samples from 14 meters deep and discovered that the lagoon has three gentle currents that circle the more than five hectares of the lagoon.
Activities to Enjoy
The waters of the lake are ideal for relaxing by boat or kayaking, you can also enjoy fishing. However, many choose to hike to Cerro Picacho. From up there all Visitors can appreciate, apart from the majesty of La Laguna, impressive views of nature, as well as the towns of Sora, San Carlos, Chame, Coronado, Nueva Gorgona and the Pacific Ocean.
Besides from being able to camp around the lake, it is also allowed to make bonfires, but only in authorized areas. At tourist service points they provide this information.
The entrance has a $1.00 fee per person and $5.00 if you take a tent to camp and $3.00 for using the parking lot.
Close to Panama City, is the Laguna de San Carlos, a place that has everything that a visitor with an adventurous heart wants to experience.
