Things to see and do Provinces Of Herrera And Los Santos

The decision, in 1984, to convert this area into a national park, not only allowed a brake on the deforestation process that ravaged it, but also finally culminated in the concession of property titles for the 85 producers who worked on the flanks of Cerro Hoya. It is by walking in this park that we really assess the extent of ecological disaster with a landscape that has become almost apocalyptic in some places; a striking contrast with the lush tropical vegetation now preserved.

Cerro Hoya Park is located on horseback on the provinces of Veraguas and Los Santos. Its area is 32 557 ha (3 814 at sea). It is from Playa Cambutal and Cobachón that its access is the least complicated. Unfortunately, as always when it comes to finding an isolated and difficult site for access, the maritime crossing that leads to it is likely to cost you a lot of money and not to be completely compliant with safety standards. There is also no infrastructure in the park that can receive tourists.

The only way to explore this park safely is to contact ANAM staff at Las Tablas or Tonosí.

From September to November-December, you will have the chance to observe sea turtles, and between July and October-November, whales come to reproduce... Dolphins are also present all year round! Playa El Toro, 3 km east of Pedasi, is accessible by foot (30-40 minutes) or by cab. Say hello to Arturo Cabeza, known as "El Mentao" or "El Chaman" if he is still around. This local figure cleans and tries to preserve the beach to avoid the same fate as La Garita, next door, where a large complex with villas has been built. La Garita offers a nice walk all the same while going away towards the south, one can see turtles there in season.

El Bajadero is a little further north. For La Arenal, from where you can take a boat to Isla Iguana, take the road that passes in front of the tourist office (CEFATI) for 3 km. There is also a small beach restaurant. Surfing and kite surfing are practiced there.

You will certainly hear about this site, which unfortunately does not really deserve a detour. Nature has resumed its rights since the excavations were abandoned because of the lack of resources. The excavation project led by the Smithsonian and National Geographic is no longer on the agenda, although it would appear that laboratory studies continue…

You may be interested, at the height of Irún, by the sign indicating this other protected area. Its 776 hectares host many migratory birds, as well as several mangrove varieties and natural pools with alkaline water.

A laboratory that can be of interest to scientists. The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission aims to study, control and safeguard tropical tuna, as well as other tuna catches in this part of the Pacific Ocean.

At 2 h from Tonosí, you may be on your way to Chitré. There are two cheap pensions, some restaurants and a pizzeria. Every beginning of the year, around 6 January, the Fiesta of Los Reyes takes place on the scene of the birth of Christ and the arrival of the three kings.

The El Cowboy site is a nice walk for bird watching and lagartos (little crocodiles).

This family farm of about 40 hectares is mainly dedicated to the production of cow milk. It opens its doors to visitors to let them discover the rural way of life. The whole process of milk production is presented (the cows can even be milked or the calves given a bottle, an activity that children love) in a bucolic setting, where it is possible to ride horses. Cheese making and tasting and preparation of tortillas or carimañolas, typical of the traditional Panamanian breakfast.

You can contact this association to learn more about turtles life, the role of volunteers and environmental protection in Cambutal. 

La Marinera was declared a nature reserve in 2010 to protect the olive ridley turtles(Lepidochelys olivacea) that can be observed between July and December. They arrive alone or in groups, sometimes between 5,000 and 10,000 turtles over 2 to 3 days! They come to lay their eggs. The baby turtles appear about 45 days later. La Marinera can be reached at low tide in about an hour, following the beach and crossing rivers. A MiAmbiente post is held by guards who take turns, it was equipped in 2021 with solar panels.