Guide the Park

GUIDE TO DIVISIÓN GENERAL OMAR TORRIJOS HERRERA NATIONAL PARK EL COPE

“THE HARTLAND OF PANAMA”

Treat yourself to the of visiting and exploring this National Park of volcanic origin, which offers and amazing biodiverdity, pleasant weather and a great chance to relax while coexisting with hunderds of plant and animal species, some of which are unique to Panama.

How to get there

The national Park El Copé is located approximately 200 kilometers from Panama City and the travel time by road is about 3 hours. It is accessed by the road that detours from the Inter-American Highway (at kilometer 167), at the entrance to the town of La Candelaria (18 kilometers west of Penonomé) and leads to the town of El Copé. The travel distance is 28 km. The main entrance to the park is located 5 km north of the town of El Copé.

If you plan to hike this last stretch of the way, it is recommended to have a raincoat handy; hiking time will depend on your physical fitness. Traveling by four-wheel drive vehicle, this last portion can take from 15 to 20 minutes. There are public transportation routes, which opérate daily from Panama City to the city of Penonomé, and from there to the town of El Copé and back. Roundtrip fare from Panama to Penonomé is U$$ 9.00, and from Penonomé to El Copé the roundtrip fare is U$$4.00. from Pananma to Copé, roundtrip fare is U$$ 14.00.

Feartures

The park is located in the highland bridging the pacific and the atlantic watersheds.

The montains and dense vegetation draw the abundant water trapped in the regular cloud cover of the area, thus producing intense and constant rainfall throughout the year.

The climate in El Copé is very pleasant, with daytime temperaturas varying between 18°C and 29° C (64°F and 84°F).

Headwater:

Important river headwaters spring from the mountains in El Cope and drain into the country’s two watersheds. The rivers Grande, Cocle del sur, Nombre de Dios and Marta flow onto the pacific slope, while the rivers Belén, San Juan, Concepcion, Tife, Blnco del Norte, Guabal, Lajas, and Platanal flow towards the Atlantic.

At present, the rivers in the Pacific watershed provide irrigation to some of the country’s central areas communities. This ensures their agro-industrial and cattle-raising activities that boost socio Economic Development.

The color of the wáter in some of the rivers and creeks flowing through the park is brownish due to the diluted content of plant produced tannins. This is the case of Colorado river that cuts through the Barrigón community, south of the park.

Volcanic origin

Since it is part the countrys central montain range, the park regional originated from the alternate  volcanic and sedimentary activity that characterized the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. The mountains, valleys, soils, and river basins they now from El Cope were shaped by erosion and marine sedimentation.

Incredible Biodiversity

The altitude and precipitation in El Cope Foster the Development of a variety of ecosystems, with a wealth of flora and fauna species adapted to these hábitats. Because of the large endemism, it is very likely that Development of new species is underway in the area.

In the province of Cocle, 2.604 plant and 552 vertebrate species are presently know, which represent 27 and 35 percent respectively, of the total species recorded throughtout the country. Since the park covers 50 percent of Cocles forest area, most likely the majority of jthe species found therein can be equally within the protected area. 

Facilities for visitors

Entrance to the park: U$$1.00 students University, U$$3.00 national and residents and U$$5.00 foreign national.

Lodge: Accommodates up to 15 persons (advance reservation are recommended, bring sleeping bags). A contribution of U$$10.00 for national and residents, and U$$15 for foreing national, is required to stay in the cabin.

Visitor’s Center: It has a meeting area and an exhibit on the natural wealth of the park. Has a barbecue and lookout point. The Lodge and the visitor’s center have wáter and electricity generated by non-polluting solar cell panels.

Parking: For 13 vehicles (U$$1.00 daily per vehicles).

Standard regulations

You are visiting a natural protected area; therefore, in order for you and others to enjoy the visit to El Copé the following standard regulations must be observed, as well as any other instructions given by the forest rangers.

·         Garbage is to be disposed of in the containers provided at the center and at the visitor’s Lodge. ·         Please, do not step on the grass. There are steps located in the area around the visitor’s center for you convenience. ·         Any activities detrimental to the area and its components are prohibited Likewise, any actions that disturb the peacefulness of the environment such as excessive loundness or noise, or the use of sound systems are not permitted. Taking animal sor plants from the area is prohibited. ·         Remember that you are in natural protected area, therefore you are likely to encounter wildlife and though they may seem passive, they are not domesticated and must be treated with caution. Do not feed or disturb them. ·         Pets are not allowed. ·         Bonfire are prohibited and smoking is not allowed along the trails and public infrastrucuture. ·         Alcohol consumption in the park is prohibited.