La Amistad International Park is a natural area that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site created jointly by Panama and Costa Rica with the aim of protecting several endangered species in the region located along the Talamanca Mountain range. The Park is popularly known as PILA by its initials and has an area of 401,000 hectares, 207,000 of which are on the Panama side.
In Panama, most of the park is located on the Bocas del Toro side, but since it is extremely difficult to access from this sector, it is always visited in Chiriqui province.
Natural Reserve that Protects Endangered Species
The Park encompasses a beautiful area of remote wilderness, home to most of Panama’s endangered animals, including jaguars and tapirs, more than 400 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles and 32 species of amphibians.
Paradise for Nature Trail Lovers
La Amistad Park is very popular for offering both easy and challenging hiking trails. The most popular trails for Visitors are the following:
Panama Verde Trail, also known as El Puma: It is an easy 15-minute foray into the forest.
El Retoño Trail (1.3 miles / 2.1 kilometers): It is mostly level terrain with great scenery that includes a bamboo tunnel, excellent bird watching opportunities, and relatively easy jungle streams.
Sendero La Cascada (3.4 kilometers): It is a relatively demanding climb, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, even the Caribbean on a clear day and of course, a wonderful waterfall. This trail is one of the most popular in the park because of how well maintained it is.
Trails for the Most Extreme Adventurers
Visitors who have an adventurous spirit and seek extreme experiences La Amistad Park also has trails ideal for these types of experiences.
The Cerro Picacho Trail: A 3 1/2 hour hike over challenging terrain at an elevation of 2,937 meters for a magnificent view that encompasses both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
Vereda La Montaña: A 4 kilometers walk ascending through the jungle towards a mountain.
For the most adventurous, it is possible to take an eight-hour unmarked walk through the dense jungle to reach hot springs that are worth enjoying.
It is possible to camp in the park if you wish to hike trails for several days. However, it is important to seek the guidance of a ranger who knows the way in Parque La Amistad.