El Cope National park

Great Birding Spots of Panama with photos and maps

The El Cope National Park or also known as the Omar Torrijos Herrera National Park is located in the province of Cocle. To drive to El Cope you turn off the Pan-American Highway about 20 miles after passing the town of Penonome coming from Panama City turning right. And from there uphill about half an hour or so. After the Village of El Cope (best ask locals for directions) you get to the Yayas Waterfalls well worth visiting also and from there its about 4Km or 45 minutes walk uphill to get to the entrance of the park where a few trails start.

The El Cope Park covers 25,275 hectares and among its inhabitants we count from the Jaguar to the strong-billed woodcreeper a wide variety of animals and the forest is also know for its rubber trees. Even do its a bit hard to get to its well worth checking it out. ANAM has an office in El Cope (see the attached photo of the Village of El Cope, the ANAM office is behind those pine trees) where you can get more information as well. Its a good idea to get a local guide that knows the area so you dont get lost. To the waterfalls its easy on your own but up the park is another story, as surely you dont want to become Jaguar food.

 
View down the valley from El Cope National Park

Yayas Waterfalls - El Cope