Volcan Baru

Overview

This mountain is the only spot in the world where (early in the day) you can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans at the same time. The hike is steep but easy to follow climbing through the rain forest. Panama is home to at least 940 different species of birds, and holds various world records for many years in bird counts and observations. This area is noted for the famous, but elusive quetzal a large beautifully plumed bird with a distinct call (the quetzales eluded me on my visit). The hike is along an often steep and rutted fire road. Most vehicles even four wheel drives have trouble with this climb. There are a couple makes of autos that the Panamanians advise will actually make the treacherous road. The hike is approx. 14km each way.

Getting There

Get to Panama via Panama City, get to Chiriqui Province via an amazing six or seven hour drive up the Pan American Highway along the Pacific side of Panama. Turn inland (for approx. one hour) in the town of David to reach Boquete the small mountain village which lies at the base of the mountain (a one hour flight is also available from Panama City to David). Directions to the trail are best obtained directly from your hotel or hostel in Boquete, but originates at the entrance to the Volcan Baru National Park. For those not staying overnight in Boquete, there is a nice tourist information center upon entering Boquete on a bluff to the right of the road overlooking the mountain town. Or ask the locals they know.

Red Tape

None experienced.

When To Climb

During the dry season (December to April). To see both oceans you need to arrive early in the morning on a clear day. The earlier the better. I hiked this mountain in September in the heart of the wet season. I had a pancho and raced the clouds up the mountain alternating between periods of light rain, sunshine and mist. Creating a nice hiking environment for those prepared for dampness. I arrived early in the afternoon at the summit, about ten minutes before the mist and clouds obscured the Atlantic coast and the Archipelago islands scattered in the Carribbean.

Camping

There is camping allowed in and around the mountain, however, I would recommend researching tours and fees for usage of these sites. There are two spots to note along the hike: the halfway point called the Road to Heaven and Los Fogones designated campsite that (if I saw it) was simply a nice tree with a clear spot underneath and maybe a trash can. There is also camping available in Boquete.

Mountain Conditions

You are hiking through Panama's extensive rainforest. Be prepared for rain, mist and mystique. The general trend is that it is sunny in the mornings, humid all day, and as evaporation accumulates it climbs the mountain at approximately the speed of a fast hiker. Early in the afternoon expect the summit to become enveloped by clouds and cool dramatically. This mountain range known as Cordillera Central is unique to Panama in its cooler temperatures, particularly overnight.

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Viewing: 1-5 of 5

Scott - May 10, 2004 9:55 pm - Voted 3/10

Untitled Comment

This mountain is the only spot in the world where you can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans at the same time. You can also see both oceans from the Tierra del Fuego and from several peaks in Costa Rica (Cerro Ventisqueros, Cerro Chirripo, Cerro Terbi, Volcan Irazu, etc).

climbvr - Dec 16, 2018 5:09 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Untitled Comment

From Baru you can see the Caribbean and the Pacific at the same time. On that front, it's the only place.

ChristianRodriguez - Feb 8, 2009 10:39 pm - Hasn't voted

Recomended route

The best route is from Cerro Punta town, more beautiful and technical route that Boquete. Boquete is a wide big road, and Cerro Punta is a tiny trail cover with full vegetation into a nice rain forest. After the rain forest, is the beginning of the tiny trail on the ridge of couple of crests. Giants falls each side, scary sometimes. Vegetation disapears in some momment, at this place is needed to climb a elevation of 150 or 200 mts high. A cable is fixed to the top for helping with the climb. Finally get a big crater, take the left hand path to the top, another easy climb on rocks and you will reach the summit. Aprox. 6 hours in an amazing and natural route. Normally just residents from Cerro Punta uses this path.

Storm2 - Mar 25, 2017 9:32 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Recomended route

Yeah, but this trail (Paso Ancho) is nowhere near Cerro Punta, it's in the town of Bambito, halfway between Volcan and Cerro Punta. I lost two hours looking for your trail in Cerro Punta.

PanamaD - Jan 23, 2014 5:29 pm - Voted 5/10

Best Route

In agreement with the previous poster, the route starting at the town of VOLCAN is by far the best option if you would like to experience this climb to the fullest. Going up via the town of Boquete is essentially walking 12km uphill on a steep, run down, dirt road (closely resembling a dry riverbed) with very Little scenery or panoramic views. If you are in good physical shape and are up for a challenge, then definately take the VOLCAN town route. There are many guides that can take you up to the cráter where camping is allowed. You will go through various stages of fauna and flora and will certainly enjoy some of the best views in Panama. You may also camp up by the Summit, near the radio and tv antennae, however I recommend the cráter as it makes for a much more comfortable (and interesting) campsite. Also, you may want to spend some time exploring the cráter and its unique ecosystem. I´ll be glad to help anyone with any questions about this hike. You can also check our hiking community on Facebook: Trepadores de Montaña United, for more info and tons of pictures of different trails around the country.

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