The Volcan Baru also known as Volcán de Chiriqui is the highest mountain peak and only active volcano in Panama at the altitude of 3, 474 meters. It is approximately 35 kilometers away from the border of Costa Rica. The park can be accessed from two main areas: firstly, from the area of Cerro Punta and secondly, from the region of Boquete.
The place was announced as Volcán Barú National Park in 1976, and covers an area of 14,325 hectares. The park features cloud forests, rainforests, volcanic cliffs, etc. The National Park is rich in its biodiversity. Flore is characterized by huge vegetation, numerous life zones, etc. On the other hand fauna include over 250 species of birds, mammals, lizards, etc.
The Volcan Baru National Park is popular amongst hikers and the well-known hiking trail is the Sendero Los Quetzales (Los Quetzales Trail), which connects Boquete with Cerro Punta. The trail is eight kilometers long and takes around more than six hours to hike. Other outdoor activities include mountain climbing, canoeing or kayaking, sightseeing, bird watching, etc.
The national park is best suited for nature lovers and offer different attractions to its visitors.