How to Visit Volcan Baru in Panama

Imagine standing at the highest point in Panama, looking out over both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. That’s the breathtaking experience you can have when visiting Volcán Barú.

And hiking to the top isn’t the only way up. You can opt for the easier adventure version by taking a jeep tour. Seeing an endless landscape of mountains and oceans without hiking 14km was well worth the bumpy ride to the top for me.

Let’s get right into everything you need to know about exploring Volcan Baru, from the best time to visit to visiting tips.

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Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Beyond Adventure Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

About Volcan Baru

Towering at 3,474 meters (11,398 feet), Volcan Baru is not just the highest point in Panama but its the only volcano in the country.

Located within Boquete’s Volcán Barú National Park, this area is great for wildlife lovers. The park is home to more than 240 species of birds, including the Quetzal, as well as 86 types of mammals, 25 species of bats, and 7 varieties of jungle cats, adding more excitement for those who visit.

But what makes Volcan Baru special is the panoramic view from its summit. On a clear day, it’s the only place in the world where you can see both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean at the same time. Sunrise here was a bucket list moment for me!

Best Time to Visit Volcan Baru

The best time to visit Volcan Baru is from December to April, during Panama’s dry season. This period offers clearer skies, making it ideal for hiking.

You can still visit in the rainy season, but it’s hit or miss for ideal views, as rain clouds can block the view of the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. I visited in October and had good weather luck. I saw them both!

Best Time of Day to Visit

The best time of day to visit Volcan Baru is before dawn. Watching the sunrise at Volcan Baru is something you need on your itinerary. Just prepare for chilly morning air as the climate at the summit is cooler than the base.

Visting for sunrise is especially true in the rainy season. The earlier you visit, the higher your chance of a good view. After the clouds come in, you won’t be able to see the two bodies of water.

Volcan Baru National Park Entrance Cost

Entrance to Volcan Baru National Park costs 5 USD. You pay at the ranger hut at the base. If you are hiking overnight, there is no one to collect it during the nighttime, so you’ll pay on your way out.

If you are visiting with a tour, this cost is included.

How to Get to The Summit

There are two ways to travel to the top of Baru Volcano: hike or take a jeep tour.

You cannot drive your own vehicle up the volcano. The road is extremely rough and even a regular 4×4 is not enough to conquer it. It takes really good tires and skilled driving to reach the top.

Hiking Volcan Baru

The most adventurous way to get to the top of Volcan Baru is to hike 14km. This 6-hour hike is challenging. Especially the last portion up to the summit, where you will rock climb.

The air is thinner at the summit, so prepare for heavier breathing the higher altitude you reach to get to the top.

During my jeep tour, we saw people who had hiked to the top, and they told us how they started their hike around 11pm to midnight to reach the top before sunrise.

While you can do the Volcan Baru hike without a guide, you should hire a guide if you aren’t in peak shape or prepared for the jungle at night. If you go with a guide, there are daytime and overnight hiking tours available. You hike along the “road”, so watch out for jeeps.

For a moment I thought about hiking it before I knew how long it was and how you had to hike all night to get to the top for sunrise, so I immediately opted for the 4×4 tour.

Volcan Baru Jeep Tour

If you want to experience a Volcan Baru sunrise, but don’t want to do the long hike, the 4×4 jeep tour is for you.

It takes about an hour of driving up the steep and winding 14km road and then another hour back down the volcano by jeep.

If you have severe back problems, it may not be best to take the jeep tour due to all of the bumping around in the jeep while it climbs over boulders and potholes. Be prepared for how bumpy it is (like super bumpy), and choose to go up Baru Volcano at your own discretion. 

You’ll still have to climb to the top, but it’s a short climb from where you exit the jeep. This was one of the most fun adventures I’ve ever done.

Volcan Baru Sunrise Jeep Tour – What It’s Like

Our morning began with an early start as we were to be ready for pickup outside our hotel at 3:45 am by Beyond Adventure Tours.

Hopping in the jeep, we headed off to pick up the rest of the group for today’s tour. There were six of us, including the driver, and we called each other by the countries we called home: Switzerland, Poland, USA, and us two Canadians. We were on our way to Volcan Baru National Park.

Once checked in with the park ranger, you will begin the super bumpy ride up the volcano. And I’m not exaggerating about how rough it is.

It may be only a 14 km ride, but your guide drives the steep incline, curving around and conquering large boulders and potholes along the road. It makes for quite the adventure! Luckily we had the slow driver, as he called himself. We were all thankful, as we couldn’t imagine driving up the volcano faster.

After an hour or so of driving slowly up the volcano, we stopped. We had reached a smooth platform where the jeeps would park, and we would continue by foot to hike to the summit.

At this point, my stomach was all out of wack from the bumpy ride, so I took a motion sickness pill to help me be able to climb. It was still dark out at this point. We slowly headed to the top, feeling the air a little thinner at this elevation.

We made it to the top! The view from the summit was incredible and breathtaking. Shortly after, the sun peeked above the clouds. Seeing the sunrise at Volcan Baru was all I had hoped for. One of my most memorable sunrise experiences, aside from Cape Spear in Newfoundland!

We could see the Caribbean Sea in the distance, but the Pacific Ocean hadn’t shown itself yet.

After waiting awhile and soaking in the views, the cloud forest started to roll in. In the distance, the Pacific Ocean made its appearance. Lucky us! Watching the sunrise over two major bodies of water from the summit of a volcano, we felt like we were on top of the world! 

After hiking back down to where the jeeps are waiting, it is time for breakfast. Breakfast included warm ham sandwiches and hot chocolate or coffee. It was the perfect way to warm up after the hike.

While eating breakfast, we had a surprise appearance from the local wildlife. The little animal was very friendly and would ask for scraps (but no, I didn’t feed it). Once finished breakfast, it is time to head back down the volcano. This time by daylight. 

It’s the same bumpy path back to the bottom, but in the daylight, you can see all the boulders and potholes. Safely at the volcano base, the tour concluded and we were each dropped back off at our hotels. What a great morning, and it was only 9:30 am at the finish!

What to Pack for Volcan Baru

• Warm clothing
• Hiking shoes or good running shoes
• Water
• Snacks
• Headlight or Flashlight

Where to Stay Near Volcan Baru

• Selina Boquete – a boutique accommodation, 8.7km away (I stayed here)
• Bambuda Castle – adults-only accommodation with an indoor pool, 11.3km away
• The Inn at Palo Alto – a 3-star hotel with a pool and hot tub, 11.6km away

6 Tips for Visiting Volcan Baru

1. Dress Warmly and In Layers

It’s cold at the volcanic peak, especially before sunrise. I wore a tank top, t-shirt, athletic sweater, and a light jacket, and I was still cold. Others wore jackets and hats, and some people even brought blankets.

Plan to wear an extra layer than you think you need, as you can always take it off if you get too warm.

2. Prepare For Motion Sickness

If motion sickness affects you, take medication before boarding the jeep or once you get out of the jeep at the top to climb to the peak. The ride was incredibly bumpy, and while I didn’t think I would be affected, I felt sick at the top and took a motion sickness pill before climbing, which helped.

3. Be Aware of Lower Oxygen at the Summit

The oxygen levels at the top of Baru are much lower than what you are used to experiencing. You’ll be experiencing a 1699 m (5594 ft) difference in altitude from the base to the top.

You might feel light-headed at the summit. Drink lots of water and take it slow to fight any altitude sickness or dehydration.

4. Know There are Limited Facilities

Facilities are very limited at Volcan Baru. There is a very basic washroom in the small building at the top before you climb to the summit. You have to walk through the building to the back where the washroom is.

5. Set Your Expectations

Setting your expectations is a must before visiting.

This is not a technical trail somewhere remote, it’s a bouldery road you hike and drive up along. There are broadcast towers near the top, and yes, the tower intenna gets in the way of the view. But it doesn’t take away how unique this spot is. Keep your eye out for the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean in the distance as you stand on a volcano at the highest point in the country.

6. Plan the Rest of Your Day Lightly

Get plenty of sleep before your sunrise jeep tour, and plan the rest of your day lightly after, as you will most likely want to nap when you return.

When my tour finished around 9:30 am, I was exhausted and napped for 2-3 hours before doing light activities for the rest of the day. Boquete is one of the best places to visit for adventure, but you’ll want to rest for a bit after this one.

Other Hikes in Boquete

• The Lost Waterfalls – a moderate 3.2km (2.1m) hike to see 3 waterfalls
• Pipeline Trail – an easy-moderate 3km (2m) hike through the jungle
• Jä Gwätä ñöi Waterfall – an easy 2km (1.2m) hike to a waterfall

Final Thoughts on Visiting Volcan Baru

Watching the sunrise at Volcan Baru was one of the best things I’ve done in Panama.

Visiting from December to April will give you the best shot of seeing both the Pacific and the Caribbean. But you can get lucky in the wet season like I did.

While it’s cheaper to hike, after watching what the hike up would be like, I was very happy I chose to drive up. Our tour group was a fun bunch, and we made unforgettable memories while being bumped around in the jeep from the rough path, laughing along the way. I had a positive experience and would recommend the Volcan Baru jeep tour with Beyond Adventure Tours. 

Whether you choose to hike or take the 4×4 jeep tour up Volcan Baru is up to you. There are so many adventurous activities to try in Panama!

Happy travelling!