Santa Fe National Park

In the province of Veraguas, in the majestic central region of Panamá, you’ll find Santa Fe National Park. Known for its abundance of waterfalls and 700 square kilometers of rainforest, the park is also home to hundreds of species of birds, butterflies and orchids. Santa Fe National Park surrounds the historic and picturesque town of Santa Fe, which is also worth a visit. Founded by Captain Francisco Vasquez in 1557, Santa Fe is the oldest community in Panamá, and a trip to the area ranks as a top “off the beaten track” destination by Lonely Planet. While you’re here, you can learn about life in the Panamá countryside by visiting local villages by foot or on horseback. 

Inside the park, you’ll have the chance to hike to many of the park’s 50 waterfalls, with trails ranging from quick and easy, to day-long adventures. A popular route is the hike to Alto de Piedra. The trail is just 1 kilometer in length, and ranks as an easy to moderate hike. Expect to hike for 20 minutes to the first falls, and then another 1.5 hours to see all three, which can range from 10 to 15 meters high. For bigger falls, you’ll want to hike to Bermejo Falls. These powerful waterfalls are on the border of Santa Fe National Park, and reach a towering 35 meters high. This 2.5 kilometer hike is also ranked easy to moderate, and will take you about 1.5 hours round trip. 

No matter which trail you take, you can expect awe-inspiring views and beautiful, serene scenery. Just keep in mind, these treks are for the truly adventurous, as Santa Fe National Park has no developed facilities. 

Getting There

You can reach Santa Fe National Park from Panama City in 3 hours by car