Las Mendozas-Coclé:

Even before Spanish conquest, The "Las Mendozas Swimming Hole" has been an important site for residents who lived in what is now the area around Penonomé. Its strategic location on the Zaratí River and its position between the coast and the mountains and made this place an important trade spot.  But, over the years, as new means of communication were developed, the importance of the Las Mendozas River as a place for local trade began to decrease; however, at the same time it started to get importance as a bathing spot, ecological and tourist site that regains its attractiveness during national holidays like the carnivals. The way to reach the streams also has its charm. The visitor can enjoy leisure and recreation, walks along the river banks and sense the nature, discovering a variety of rock formations, birds, wild animals, small waterfalls and rapids.

Location:

It is not far from Juan D. Arosemena Avenue, the main street in Penonomé.

How to arrive?  By Car: This place is one km from the city of Penonomé.

National Parks:

Photos:   Darien National Park

More than one third of Panama is protected. There are about 60 natural protected sites, biosphere reserves and mankind heritage that represent two million and a half hectares. Panama has one of the richest fauna and flora of the world. Its forests shelter more than 10000 plant species and 1000 species of birds. The most famous parks are Darien National Park(576,000 hectares)UNESCO World Heritage site; La amistad International Park (407,000 hectares)World heritage site; Coiba Island National Park(270,125 hectares of wich 216,125 hectares of which 216,542 are marine) where the whale watching is particulary good; Baru Volcano National Park(14,300 hectares) and its extint volcan, the highest point in Panama(3475m).

Coiba National Park:

Located in the Southeastern part of the Republic of Panama, encompasses over 2,700 square kilometers of islands, beaches, forests, mangroves and coral reefs. 

More than 100.000 dollars have been spent in building new tourist lodging, solar panels and marine transportation.  The ecological reserve is equipped to accommodate all of its visitor’s needs.   The protected areas are natural havens, where visitors have the opportunity to relax. It’s also a great place for to those who wish to find themselves.  There are sunny, sandy beaches with mangroves, mudflats, rivers with vegetation, nature trails, forests and mountains of medium altitude.

This area offers several formations like canals, coral structures and reef walls, which offer the swimmer an amazing sight.

Also a group of more than thirty islands, islets, lakes, other marine formations to observe, tour, navigate.  But also below the sea’s surface there is marvelous scenery worthy of visiting through to diving.

The Coiba National Park, has initiated a building construction program that provides tourist access as well as safety, changing the existing electrical system for the installation of solar panels to reduce energy consumption.  Also several cabins to be used as tourist lodging were updated.

Coiba National Park is the largest protected area in the country and maybe the most complete due to its terrain’s diversity and ecosystems which enable the national population and tourists, to be in touch with nature and its biodiversity.