go to the collectivo bus stop for "bajo mono" and ask the driver to take you past bajo mono up the hill a few K to Alto Chiquero Ranger Station!! It is well worth the extra dollar you pay to not have to walk 2 or 3 k straight uphill on a road. Also a great out and back from... More

Quetzals move around seasonally, up or down the slope and sometimes they leave the area altogether. Your chances are increased by going early and going further up the trail (or doing it all the way from the Cerro Punta end to the Boquete end) and learning the calls (see Xeno-canto.org). Not as spectacular but just as interesting are the rather... More

We started the hike from the upper end (Cerro Punta). It is a beautiful trail. But it is so dense, it is hard to view the birds. I felt that the book Lonely Planet, Panama gave poor advice on this. They said Quetzals were so common that they were even on the road. Other birders were equally disappointed and if... More

The trail is fairly clear to follow, with steps and signs in places. We were slightly worried as guide books say you need a guide, but if you an experienced trekker it is fine. It would be good to have a map, but we couldnt find anything. There is a campsite roughly in the middle, and it takes about 2... More

We heard from the official visitor center in Boquete that the trail was closed. But in further investigation we decided to go for it---and are we glad we did!! It seemed like a long drive up a one lane road, but if you just keep going, you'll find it! It's a beautiful hike, well worth the $5! We only hiked... More

Our party of 5 had a great time hiking from the ranger station, about an hour along a gravel road with some fairly strenuous hills and descents, to the trailhead and another hour into the forest, which was muddy, but breath-takingly beautiful. We saw many small birds, but the resplendent quetzal eluded us. There were two streams to ford. The... More

I am not really into hiking, but I really enjoyed this. We started on the Boquete side going about 2 hour in. It was definitely intense climbing. We saw and heard tons of birds, although we weren't officially birdwatching...which is something that I think should be pointed out: If you are going to birdwatch, I am sure one would hike... More

The trailhead is a challenging 20-minute drive from Boquete. Not much signage. You go past a waterfall en route, along with a few villages, goat farms, coffee plantations and really steep roads. Leave your vehicle at ranger station. $5 per person to enter, which you pay on the return. Consult the map on the wall of the ranger station and... More

I hiked the trail on Jan 2, 2013. The guidebooks are 1year behind in the info. The trail is open and it has been completely renovated. Bridges, stairs, handrails, etc... One shallow stream crossing has no bridge to add a bit of adventure.