La Amistad International Park in Chiriqui – Panama is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose rich biodiversity not only makes it an important part of the country’s ecosystem but also provides everyone visiting the park an opportunity to marvel at some of the most magnificent natural wonders of the world.
Location
La Amistad International Park in Chiriqui – Panama is part of the Cordillera de Talamanca mountain range. The park actually sits between the provinces of Bocas Del Toro and Chiriqui.
It is approximately forty-five minutes off the city of David, Chiriqui’s capital city.
Getting There
To get to La Amistad International Park in Chiriqui – Panama directly from Panama City, you can take a domestic flight from Albrook Airport going to David.
This is about an hour’s flight. From David, you can take a bus that will drive you all the way to Cerro Punta. This ride is also about an hour’s drive. From Cerro Punta, you can either walk the five kilometers to reach the park’s Administration Center, or you can also take a taxi ride.
Alternatively, you can take a bus from Panama City from the Albrook Bus Terminal which will take you all the way to David. This ride will take about six to seven hours.
From David, you can follow the same directions as mentioned above.
What to See and Do
For the adventurous traveler, La Amistad International Park in Chiriqui – Panama is the perfect place to explore and discover the beautiful and diverse flora and fauna so rich in Panama.
Bird-watching is a top activity within the park’s perimeters where you can see rare birds such as Umbrella Bird; as well as many other colorful birds: Resplendent Quetzal, Three-Wattled Bellbird, eagle species like Crested and Harpy Eagles, and Silver-Throated Jay.
Cloud forests of towering trees and colorful flowers where you can see butterflies fritter about are also a sight to behold.
Brief History
Considered as the world’s 1st bi-national biosphere reserve, La Amistad International Park in Chiriqui – Panama is only one part of the park; the other part is within the jurisdiction of Costa Rica, Panama’s neighboring country.
This is the first ever reserve that is managed by two countries, hence; it was named La Amistad International Park; where “amistad” translates to “friendship” and inter-national because it is shared by two nations.
La Amistad International Park in Chiriqui – Panama was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1990, while the Costa Rican side was enlisted much earlier in the year 1983.
Cost
To gain entry into the park, visitors are required to pay an entry fee of $3.50. Accommodations within Chiriqui are provided by bed and breakfast inns as well as hotels.
Prices range from $42 up to $245 per room, per night. Costs vary depending on your specific accommodations as well as whether you will be traveling here during peak or off-peak season.
Other Information
The best time to travel to Panama and visit La Amistad International Park in Chiriqui – Panama is between the months of December all the way to March where humidity is low and there is a lower chance of rainfall.
