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Hike to the summit of the Barú Volcano

View the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from the top...

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Barú Volcano Camping Trip and Guided Hike to the Top

At 3,475 meters (11,400 feet), "el Volcán Barú" is the highest point of Panama. To get the most out of this hike, we invest two days to complete the 27 km to the top of the Barú Volcano and back to Boquete. In this way we are able to have an incredible camping experience, have a rest after the first 13.5 km up and then reach the Volcano's peak just in time to admire how a spectacular sky full of stars (and sometimes a full moon) gives away to a magical sunrise and if we are lucky enough, to the most incredible view of Panama's both coastlines.

We meet at Habla Ya Language Center to check that all the necessary gear and camping equipment is in place and start getting acquainted with the rest of our fellow hikers who will accompany us for the following 30 hours. Everybody is expected to have already had breakfast. A short security briefing is given by tour guide and then we commence our journey.

Previously arranged transportation takes us on a 20 minute drive to where the real adventure begins. We start in the morning of the first day at the ranger station (where we also register by names and passports) at the entrance of "El Parque Nacional Volcán Barú" dressed comfortably to begin the hike with our backpacks full of food, water, extra clothing and with our bodies full of energy. If the group is of less than 6 hikers, then we also need to carry our tents, sleeping bags and stoves. If a large group of Spanish students are going to do the hike we normally hire a driver and rent an ATV (Four Wheel All Terrain Vehicle) with a trailer attached to it to lighten our weight a bit. The ATV will transport all the camping gear (tents, sleeping bags and stoves) and extra water.

The scenery during the hike changes from rolling grass-covered hills to dense jungle to exposed rocky cliffs. At the 9km mark, there is a view of one of the craters, which is quite impressive. Extinct for nearly 500 years, the crater is completely covered with growth, as are the crater's walls. Some trails exist on the top, leading to either side of the crater. Other trails to smaller craters also exist, however, we are headed to conquer the Volcano's peak.

Timing depends on the amount of hikers and their physical condition. Expect from 4 to 7 hours until we get to the camping site known as "Los Fogones" at kilometer 12. Once we are there, we set up our tents, cook dinner and, make a nice camp fire. Some wine is poured around and we make a toast for a clear day and safe return. On full moon nights it is incredible. At just half an hour from the top, after the moon has set, on a clear night, you will be able to see more stars than you ever have seen before.

Next day, normally an hour before the sun rises, we hike the last kilometer and a half to the top. The morning sights are amazing. When the sun starts to rise, beautiful colors of purple, orange, pink and red appear. The sky slowly changes from black to blue while the clouds dissipated and re-form due to the temperature changes caused by the rising sun. This is the best moment to see the oceans. It is hard to put into words how amazing it is to watch this new day begin. You may have seen sunrises before, but surely few compare to one witnessed at the top of Barú.

On a clear day we can easily see the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. Panama is the only country in the world in which you can do this. After delighting ourselves with the views, the cold normally makes us choose to descend.

After lifting up the camping site, we head back to Boquete. It normally takes 1 hour less to make our way down. Knees usually have a rougher time and legs can sometimes turn into jelly.

Once we are back in town, we exchange emails to make sure we get everybody's photos and head to one of the local restaurants in Boquete to have a big and warm meal, share a couple of beers, comment on the day's achievements and cheer to a life full of adventure. After that our bodies demand at least 12 hours of sleep, so everybody heads back to their hotel or host family.

What do you need to take?

Volcán Barú Camping Tour Itinerary

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, group size, hikers physical condition and other factors.

 
Student Price
Non Student Price
1 or 2 persons $125 in total $150 in total
3 to 5 persons $75 per person $85 per person
6 to 10 persons $65 per person $75 per person
11 persons or more $55 per person $65 per person

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to Barú Volcano National Park entrance and back to Boquete at the end of the hike, entrance fee at ranger station, extra water, sleeping bag, tent, head lamp, pair of gloves, warm hat, sweater, gas canister and portable stove. Does not include any food.

Volcán Barú Hike: A Guided Tour to Panama's highest point

At 3,475meters (11,400 feet), the Barú Volcano is Panama's highest point. The trek to the top of this volcano, without camping halfway through, is an adventure for the fit and reckless only, as the road to the top is anything but a road; it is steep, muddy and relentless. The hike is strenuous but not technically difficult. The portion of the road that departs Boquete is paved, or mostly so, and then changes to a dirt, rocky road at the entrance to the park. Temperatures at the top are very cool, particularly during the dry season months when the cool temperatures are accompanied by high winds.

If your days in Boquete are a bit limited or if you just prefer to not do the camping trip, then we can also arrange a 1 day guided hike to reach the top of Barú Volcano. Climbing to the Volcano's peak and then coming back without camping and having a night of proper sleep half way through the trip is only for those who are in really good shape. Expect to be extremely tired at the end of this one day 27 km hike, as you will be ascending from 1800 meters to 3,475 meters in only 13.5 km and then coming back without recharging your energy.

We organize tours with two different departure times and each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages. In the first option, transportation is arranged to the entrance of the Volcán Barú's National Park departing at 11 p.m. from a pre-selected place in downtown Boquete. This will allow us to begin the hike by 11:30 p.m. and reach the top before sunrise, assuming that all the hikers are in good shape because you really do not want to hike the Volcano in this way if you are not in good physical condition. This has the advantage of being able to contemplate the beautiful sunrise and gives us a better possibility of arriving at the top when everything is clear and therefore a better chance of seeing both oceans. But on the other hand, the hike will be done in total darkness and you will not be able to appreciate the scenery, wildlife and vegetation as much as you would during daytime. To this you also have to add that you will be hiking when your body will be expecting to be in bed so obviously at 6:30 a.m. it is not a surprise to feel pretty shattered.

The other option is certainly kinder to your body but the risks of not seeing both oceans are higher compared to leaving just before midnight. It is more probable to find a cloudy peak after the first hours of the morning have gone pass. We arrange this excursion to start at 5 a.m.

Some people do not enjoy completing the hike in this way because they arrive at the top totally exhausted and then realize that they have to make the journey all the way back without having a proper rest. Even if there was time to rest, you would not want to because of the cold and lack of equipment (tents and sleeping bags offered in the camping trip). On the other hand you are not necessarily in the best mood to appreciate nature's beauty when fatigue has hit you. This is why we recommend the camping trip above the two options of just hiking the Volcán Barú.

This is a hike to be done on the weekends so you can get your energy back in time for Spanish lessons on Monday.

Once at the top, good photographic opportunities exist, particularly during the dry season (from end of November to end of April beginning of May). You can see both oceans from the top on clear days. During the wet season you should usually expect heavy cloud cover, drizzle, or rain.

What do you need to take?

Volcán Barú Hiking Tour Itinerary

Note: schedule is subject to change. Times are approximate and depend on weather, group size, hikers physical condition and other factors.

 
Student Price
Non Student Price
1 or 2 persons $95 in total $120 in total
3 to 5 persons $45 per person $55 per person
6 to 10 persons $40 per person $50 per person
11 persons or more $35 per person $45 per person

Prices includes: bilingual certified guide, transportation from downtown Boquete to Barú Volcano National Park entrance and back to Boquete at the end of the hike, entrance fee at ranger station, head lamp, pair of gloves, warm hat and sweater. Does not include any food or water.

Information about the Volcán Barú, Panama's highest peak

This dormant volcano is just south of the Continental Divide in the western province of Chiriquí. The towns of Volcán, Cerro Punta and Guadalupe can be found on its western side, while Boquete is on the eastern flank. The fertile volcanic soil and climate of the area make it one of Panama's most productive agriculture regions as it is also drained by the Chiriquí and Caldera Rivers.

The Volcán Barú is roughly equidistant from Panama's northern and southern coastlines, and only about 25 kilometers east of the border with Costa Rica. Due to its height and Panama's relatively short width it is possible to see both the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean (the Caribbean Sea to be more precise) from the Volcán Barú's peak on a clear day.

Large trees dominate the Barú Volcano's lower slopes, giving way on the upper slopes to smaller plants, bushes, scrub and alpine wildflowers. To learn more about the wildlife that you could encounter read about the Barú Volcano National Park, on the right side of this page.

Just before you reach the peak you will also be able to see how several TV, telephone, internet and radio towers have been setup on its top.

The occasional fall of snow has been reported on the summit, where the minimal temperature can be below 0ºC (32ºF). The formation of frost is frequent during the dry season (December to April). People have died as recently as 1995, due to the fact that they were unprepared once they reached the top. It is better to be safe then sorry, so be sure to take proper equipment and gear, that will allow you to really enjoy this excursion.

Recomendations and Tips about Hiking the Barú Volcano

The Volcano can be hiked all year long but the best time to make the hike is during the dry season from December to April. Before making the hike, observe its peak from the town of Boquete. If it is not cloudy and there are no signs of rain in the area you have a good chance of making it up to the top totally dry and more importantly you will also be able to have the best view from its summit. But as you will be ascending from 1,600 meters up to 3,475 meters many things could change.

It could rain at some point during the ascension so it is very important to take a good rain jacket, cover all your belongings with a plastic bag inside of your backpack and take at least 2 extra sets of clothing. Even if you do not get wet, you will definitively want to change your clothing once you are at the camping site or when you have reached the top because you will have built a decent sweat after several hours of intense hiking. Sweaters, jackets, gloves and long pants are highly suggested, if not mandatory. If you plan to spend the night you would be foolish not to bring cold weather gear, a good tent and a below 0ºC (32ºF) sleeping bag. You do not necessarily have to bring this gear to Panama: in our tours all the gear is supplied or you can also rent it if there is no excursion planned during your stay in Boquete.

If you are in very good shape and you are going up with a small group, you could make the hike in 4 or 5 hours. If you are climbing up with a larger group or if you are in a moderate physical condition, allow up to 6 or 8 hours to complete the hike. Allow 1 hour less for your journey back down. If you are in poor physical condition do not even try to make the hike. You may consider hiring one of the 4WD trucks that goes up each day to give you a ride but you will certainly not enjoy the drive up as you will end up paying $150 for a soar bottom and aching back. The road is nothing but a road: it is steep, bumpy, rocky and many 4WD's do not even make it up. They have to have huge tires, special bumpers and other special modifications. Another option is to rent an ATV vehicle for also $150, but then you would be missing the sense of achievement and to tell the truth if you are into 4 wheeling there are many other places better than the Volcán Barú to enjoy some good 4 wheeling adventures.

Take plenty of drinking water (at least 4 liters per person), energy bars, chocolates and sufficient food for each meal that you plan to have during the hike. A complete first aid kit should also be taken in case it is needed for any emergency. Also carry your own garbage bags to bring your own litter back. Although you will find trash cans on your way up they are normally full and the garbage may not be picked up in several weeks.

Do not take more than you will be able to carry for 27 km. Leave any unnecessary weight. When we take groups larger than 6 persons, we hire an ATV vehicle to carry all the camping gear.

To make the most out of this 27 km excursion (13.5 km up, 13.5 km down) we recommend camping near the top of the Volcano and then hiking the last kilometer just before sunrise. In this way the journey's effort will be divided and you will also experience a beautiful camping sight.

If you prefer to hike up and down in just one go, it is also possible and we would suggest that you start to ascend at an appropriate time that will allow you to reach its summit just before dawn. Leaving around or just before midnight should give you enough time, but you will not be able to enjoy the hike as much as you would during day time, and normal humans end up totally shattered if they make the hike without having some hours of sleep at the middle of the excursion.

Arriving to the top before the sun comes out gives you an amazing opportunity to see how the stars and moon hide just before you witness one of the most spectacular sunrises of your life. On a clear day you will also be able to see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from the top.

Temperatures at the top are very cool, particularly during the dry season months (December to May) when the cool temperatures are accompanied by high winds. Sweaters, jackets, gloves and long pants are highly suggested, if not mandatory. If you plan to spend the night you would be foolish not to bring cold weather gear, a good tent and below 0ºC (32ºF) sleeping bags. In our hiking tours you will receive all the equipment and gear that you will need. In this way you do not have worry about carrying it through all your travels around Latin American. Before packing, remember to ask yourself, how many times will I use a tent and my sleeping bag? If you plan to use it each week, then its worth taking it through your entire journey, but if you are only going to be using it each month or so, then we would suggest leaving your camping equipment at home. In many places around Latin America you will be able to rent all the camping gear you could need.

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