Cope is the local village, 5 minutes further up the road and at the end of the asphalt road. After that there is a dirt road leading up to the National Park. In part because the road ends here there is not so much traffic in the entire area. This is a small town and has a local restaurant known as a Fonda serving basic and delicious local food (soups, stews, and typical breakfasts), as well as convenience stores selling most things you need including fresh meats and eggs. Just on the outskirts as you arrive is our favorite fruit stand (owned by Augustin) selling local produce. Just say you come from VistasCope and he will give you the local prices.
– La Pintada is 40 minutes away with a direct road through scenic route winding through the mountains. La Pintada is a pretty little village and has a few attractions – http://www.visitpanama.com/component/k2/item/1416-la-pintada.html?lang=es
http://www.thevisitorpanama.com/es/2012/01/lugares-del-interior-penonome-y-la-pintada/
– Penomome is the main local town, 30 minutes. It has a central market for fresh fruit, vegetables and meats, as well as supermarkets and restaurants.
– Las Yayas waterfalls. 15 minutes. There is a set of 3 waterfalls along with Rio Colorado river (same river that borders our property but further up in the mountains). They are community managed and have a short trail to get to them from the road. The community only charges a $1 to enter. The largest waterfall is magnificent and has a small pool for swimming. (owners note – I actually lost my wedding ring under one of the waterfalls from the power of the water so that visit ended up costing me more than $1). http://www.explorebarrigon.com/uploads/4/1/6/8/4168039/las_yayas_brochure.pdf
– Parque Omar Torrijos otherwise known as El Cope National Park. This 25,000 hectare park is one of the largest and most beautiful protected cloud forests in Panama. Located near the center of the isthmus, El Cope begins in the Montane forest on the Pacific side of the Continental Divide and continues to the Caribbean side, where the forest is more humid. Some attractions include foothill birds, herpetofauna, poison-arrow and golden frogs. The forests in this park also offer superb sights for birdwatchers such as the golden-olive woodpecker, red-fronted parrotlet, immaculate antbird, white-throated shrrike-tanager and redheaded barbet. The main entrance is 30 minutes drive along a dirt road once passed El Cope village. In the Park are several hikes which are marked. Local guides are also available and recommended. We can arrange guides to meet you at the Park entrance and show you around. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/panama/parque-nacional-omar-torrijos-el-cope-la-rica
http://www.caminandopanama.org/en/regiones/central-azuero/11-central-y-azuero/42-sendero-cerro-marta
Vistas Cope 