Sendero Los Quetzales

Sendero los Quetzales. Photo by Will Gray.

It is best to start this walk with an early (8am) bus from David to Cerro Punta as there is little to do in the town at the trailhead. The bus takes around two-and-a-half hours and if you are lucky a 4WD cab will take you to the ranger station for $15 to avoid a grueling two hour uphill climb. From there it is mostly downhill through forest, with a nice viewpoint halfway through and if you are very lucky you may spot the rare Quetzales birds. There are some nice rainforest waterfalls and a couple of dodgy river crossings before a fish farm at the end of the trail leads to a road to the second ranger station. Cabs can occasionally be caught from there to Boquete in time to find a hostel or catch the last bus back to David at 7pm. The trail can also be trekked in the opposite direction, but it is much tougher.

Cost

$3 entrance plus cabs.

Hiking, Trekking