Lagunas de Volcán

These picturesque lakes are part of a protected area comprising Panama [1]’s highest wetlands (the elevation is 1,200 meters). They’re famous for good bird-watching. On the lakes there’s a chance of seeing masked ducks and northern jacanas. Look for pale-billed woodpeckers, flycatchers, antbirds, and the rare rose-throated becard in the woods.

Getting to Lagunas de Volcán

To get to the lagunas, turn left off the main road toward Río Sereno [2] at the sign for the Oasis Place Hotel. Pass the hotel and go straight for 0.9 kilometers. Turn right at Mini Super Casa Elsa and continue straight for 1.7 kilometers on the severely potholed road until you get to the old airstrip.

Here you have two choices. You can cross the airstrip and continue straight, but the road is awful. You’ll need a powerful four-wheel drive with high clearance. A better option is to head over to La Torcaza Estate [3] and ask to use the shortcut on a better road that runs behind the facility. Ask nicely, because someone has to unlock a gate for you. It might help your cause if you buy some coffee and take their coffee tour.

The lagunas are a 15-minute drive from “downtown” Volcán [4], more if the road’s in bad shape (which it usually is), and you need a four-wheel drive in the rainy season. Note: Vehicles have been broken into here. If you drive, keep an eye on the car. Admission is free and there are no facilities.