Volcan National Park is not the best-known location in Panama. In fact, many people miss their chance to visit despite finding themselves in the country. And this needs to stop! The sheer beauty this national park offers its visitors makes it a crime to miss out on such a unique experience. So, we would like to tell you a bit more about what hiking through Volcan National Park is like and offer some advice on how best to enjoy it. We hope it tempts you into making a stop here!
Witness the sunrise from the summit of Volcan Baru
One of the best perks of hiking through Volcan National Park that we recommend not missing out on is seeing the sunrise from the summit of Volcan Baru. The view can only be described as stunning. Seeing the first rays of light painting the horizon, the sea of clouds, and the water, will stick with you for the rest of your days. Even if you decide to live in a house in Panama all your life or travel the world, you will not come across many memories this precious.
Stunning ocean view
Hiking through the beautiful Volcan National Park, you will enjoy some of Panama’s most stunning ocean views. Even scenic seaside locations, such as the Old Town of Portobelo, do not offer the same experience, especially if you view it from an elevated position. Suppose you are hiking up the Baru volcano. In that case, you will even have the rare privilege of gazing at both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean at the same time, which is not exactly something many can brag about doing from land.
Guided tour vs free hiking
Now, you will have to choose between hiking through Volcan National Park on your own or joining a guided tour. To be perfectly honest, unless you would like to have lots of company to share this experience with, there is not much benefit to choosing to tag along with a tour. Even if you’ve decided to hike up the volcano, there is a marked-out route to the top. The wider area is not that difficult to navigate, either. And going hiking on your own, you will benefit from being able to do things at your own pace. Take a break. Admire the view. Enjoy everything this incredible national park has to offer. Rather than just hurrying along with the crowds and trying to glimpse the natural beauty surrounding you through a pack of bodies.
Weather concerns
Panama might be the top-rated retirement destination in 2022, and part of that has to do with its weather. But if you are expecting to go on a hike through Volcan National Park wearing nothing but light clothing with your excitement keeping you warm, then we beg you to reconsider. The temperatures can get pretty low in the area, especially when higher up. A light jacket is a must. And if you are sensitive to cold, you will probably want to bundle up a bit more than that. At the same time, depending on when you are visiting, you may be greeted by surprisingly warm weather as well. This means that if you are planning to spend a longer time in the national park and perhaps even try your hand at camping, you will want to pack a backpack with a few different clothing options.
Things to watch out for
While a hike through Volcan National Park is a must for anyone who visits Panama, the experience is not without pitfalls. Literally. The ground is somewhat uneven, slippery, and generally tricky for a beginner hiker. This is not to say hiking here is not recommended for beginners. But more caution is recommended, especially when hiking up Baru. Keep in mind that many people assume they will make the trip down from the summit easily. Much faster than they got up there. For most climbs, this is true. However, the tricky footing changes things. It means you will take about the same amount of time to descend as you would going up. If you are afraid of hiking at night, you will want to set off in the morning rather than noon. After all, it takes an experienced hiker about four hours to make the ascent.
Try camping
We definitely recommend camping out in Volcan National Park. There is just as much beauty to be found here during the night as there is during the day, especially if the moon is out in its full glory. We understand that some people shy away from camping because it entails bringing quite a lot of equipment. But there are always good solutions for every problem. If you take the time to check out some budget-friendly packing hacks, you can get ready with minimal costs and truly make the experience of visiting the national park almost entirely free and effortless. That should only serve as additional motivation to opt for a tent rather than looking for accommodations. That’s the only way to experience all the beautiful vistas of this area.
Accommodations in the area
Speaking of accommodations, there are actually plenty of options in the areas surrounding the national park. You will typically be able to easily find a place to stay, no matter your budget. Do note that most hotels and hostels require that you pay for the night. So, if you plan to use the night hours to ascend to the summit and greet the sunrise there, camping is your best option.
Final word
Now that you know a bit more about hiking through Volcan National Park, there is only one thing left to do: Plan your trip here! This does not even have to be the primary reason you choose to visit Panama. This is a country with plenty to offer – plenty of beautiful places to visit, friendly people to meet, and precious memories to make. By the time you are done enjoying its bounty, you may even decide to make it your home!