Swaddled in montane cloud forest on its upper slopes, this rugged park teems with wildlife and, tough facilities are meagre, hikers and birders are amply rewarded with the chance of rare species sightings. A spiderweb of trails is well maintained by the US Peace Corps.

This 25,275-hectare national park straddles the continental divide. The park protects the watersheds of the Bermejo and Marta Rives on the Pacific slopes and those of the Blacon, Guabal, and Lajas Rivers on the Caribbean, which are deluged in rains. Mists that rise from the Caribbean Sea swirl ethereally through the forests that envelop the cool highland slopes. Panama’s endangered golden frog hops around the forest floor.

An easily hiked interpretative trail begins at the visitor centre and takes about one hour round-trip; another short trail leads to a mountaintop mirador with magnificent vistas. More rugged trails lead to the remote hamlet of La Rica, the Chorros de Tife cascades, and the summits of Cerro Marta.