Location: 31 mi (50 km) Northwest of Penonome
5 mi (8 km) Northwest of El Cope
Tel. 997-9089, 997- 7538
Omar Torrijos National Park is a nature reserve situated 31 mi (50 km) Northwest of Penonome, 5 mi (8 km) Northwest of El Cope in Panama. Omar Torrijos National Park is named after former Panama leader Omar Torrijos who died in this area in 1981 when his de Havilland Canada DHC- 6 Twin Otter plunged to Earth as a result of apparent malfunction. This natural reserve covers an area of 61,775 acres or 25,000 hectares of highland rainforest. In addition to hundreds of species of amphibians, reptiles, birds and animals Omar Torrijos National Park have several species of poisonous snakes as well as big cats including jaguar, ocelot, puma, jaguarundi and margay. There are not exactly house pets so stay away even from young animals. They can be quiet aggressive and dangerous to humans.
Omar Torrijos National Park is located 31 miles (50 km) Northwest of Penonome. The trip can take you about an hour to get here. The road is rough and at various times of the season rains can make it hard to pass altogether. There is a small ranger station at the entrance of Omar Torrijos National Park with several trails that lead to corners of the preserve. You can take one of these hiking trails to the highest mountain (Cerro Pena Blanca- 1,314 meters above sea level) in the park. Here you can see both Pacific and Atlantic Oceans on each side of Panama.
Another popular destination in the Omar Torrijos National park is El Tiffe Waterfall. It takes about 4- 6 hours to get here.