SENDERO DE LOS QUETZALES

This trail, within the National Park Volcan Barú, is one of the most beautiful hikes of the region. It is 5.7 km long and has a difference in altitude of 686 m. It follows the northern flank of the volcano and connects Bajo Mono to the north of Boquete and Bajo Grande to the east of Cerro Punta. It can be done in both directions, downhill from Cerro Punta (4-5 hours walk), or uphill from Boquete (6-7 hours). The round trip takes 10 to 12 hours, it is advised to leave at daybreak, around 5-6 am. For practical reasons, many hikers only cover half of the trail (4-6 hours round trip). It is also possible to camp, with your own equipment, in the middle of the trail on a prepared area.

Cloud forests, bamboo, pastures, crystal clear rivers: the crossing is magnificent, but be aware that there is no guarantee to see quetzals! The services of a guide will help you find them and you will learn much more about the fauna and flora of the park. Good hikers on a tight budget can do without a guide, as the trail is marked.

Attention: always check the condition of the trail before any excursion. During the rainy season and especially from October to December, the trail is usually very muddy. It is frequent that rehabilitation works take place at different times of the year, depending on the weather conditions, forcing to close the trail temporarily.

Access from Boquete (uphill, from east to west). Take the road to Bajo Mono, by cab or bus (from the central park of Boquete). The national park station is in Alto Chiquero, but the trail starts 2.2 km from there, and is accessed by a gravel road. The trail climbs all the way to the El Respingo station. To reach Bajo Grande, take the trail that goes down for 3 km to the road-trail leading to Cerro Punta (walk or arrange to be picked up here with a cab).

Access from Cerro Punta (downhill, from west to east). Take the road-trail to Bajo Grande (past the B&B Las Orquídeas) until you see a sign describing the trail. You can get there by cab (6 US$ from Cerro Punta or Guadalupe). The rest of the way is on foot, in 45 min-1 hour (3 km), or by 4x4 cab (about 25 US$ from Cerro Punta). The beginning of the trail is in El Respingo. The first part to the mirador is the most interesting. It takes about 5 hours to reach the Alto Chiquero station. There are still 6 km to reach the center of Boquete (possibility of catching a bus or a cab on the road).