This conservation corridor linking the La Fortuna Forest Reserve and Parque Internacional La Amistad was established in 1983. This cloud forest provides haven for a great variety of essential flora and fauna. The reserve is a part of the protected areas in the highlands of Panama. It shares its features with La Amistad International Park, Fortuna Forest Reserve, and Barú Volcano National Park.
Site Details
This 1,675 square Km of forest protection resides on the Talamanca Range and extends to the Caribbean slope in Bocas del Toro. Its edges spread from the headwaters of the Yorkin River east to the headwaters of the Guaviviara River, blanketing the mid courses of the Changuinola and Teribe rivers, along with the headwaters of the Róbalo, Riaco, Guarumo, and Uyama.
This protected ecological region comprises six different forest types; its lowest point is in the valley of the Changuinola River and its peak point is at Cerro Azul. Most of the forest shares a boundary with the Parque Internacional La Amistad, in addition to touching the Fortuna Forest Reserve on the eastern end.
Communities and Crafts
The mountainous and rugged terrain has suffered from slash and burn agriculture as well as unlawful logging. However, conservation efforts in the form of the Corredor Biologico Mesoamericano del Atlantico Panameno and the Modelo de Comunidad Ecologica Los Valles projects have been working together with the Ngobe communities to create a sustainable ecological model. A women’s cooperative, promoting ecotourism, has also been established here. Souvenirs such as woven handbags are available in the Nance de Risco community in Almirante, where you can also find guides to take you on the trails.
The Magnificent Biodiversity
The best way to explore the mystical ambiance of the forest is through the conservation corridor. The variety of flora is stunning, as it includes laurel, Creole, Jira, almond tree, white may, cedar, jirote, batting, and stick of buba, among others. You can also see gorgeous lianas, heliconias, and orchids.
This protected land shares its fauna with the La Amistad International Park and the Fortuna Forest Reserve. Though not exclusive, it offers you many marvelous sights of mammals such as opossums, small eared shrews, bats, Central American spider monkeys, Mexican porcupines, ocelots, Baird’s tapirs, pumas, margays, jaguars, American Mazamas, etc. There are also many, many types of reptiles and amphibians, including a variety of frogs, toads, lizards, and snakes.
The Riveting and Relaxing Activities
Hiking
To get as close as possible to all of this wonderful wildlife, you must go on a hike. The reserve offers three major trails, each around forty-five minutes long.
You can also ask for guidance through the trails at the Ministerio de Ambiente station, located at the entrance of the reserve. Ministerio de Ambiente also provides visitors with sleeping facilities. Though visitors have to carry their own bedding and food, the facilities offer two-story sleeping accommodations, along with kitchens and bathrooms.
Birdwatching
Palo Seco is an ideal destination for birdwatching. It is home to 83% of the species found in the Central American Caribbean slope, and it is also home to 59% of the species found in Costa Rica and the Panama highlands. Rare and endangered species found here include the bare necked umbrella bird and the three wattled bellbird. Other types of birds shared with La Amistad are as follows: Great Curassow, Blue-and-gold Tanager, Black Guan, Resplendent Quetzal, Great Green Macaw, Harpy, and Crested Eagle.
To reach the reserve, turn to the south of Chiriqui Grande on Highway 4 (Fortuna road), and travel through for 40 km. After you reach David, take a bus to Changuinola and remember to get off before Altos del Valle and disembark right by the Ministerio de Ambiente station.
The elaborate cloud forest of Palo Seco offers you countless opportunities to explore nature and this house of monkeys, sloths, armadillos, butterflies, tarantulas and eyelash vipers. These portraits of nature are simply amazing.
What’s Nearby?
