The highlands along the border with Costa Rica between the two coasts are the Chiriquí Highlands.  This part of Panama is a bit cooler than the rest of the country.  This is a great area to explore on your way into Panama from Costa Rica or in combination with a trip to the nearby Bocas del Toro islands.

Panama’s highest peak, Volcán Barú (3,475 m – 11,400 ft) is here inside the Parque Nacional Volcán Barú and borders the La Amistad International Park which overflows into Costa Rica.  There is great hiking here with excellent views of the Boquete valley and the Río Caldera, a river running through a steep gorge.  It takes four to six hours to hike to the top from the entrance to the park and about three hours to hike down.  There are a couple of hotels on the slopes of the volcano which can help with tour arrangements.