Volcán
Understand
Volcán is a town of about 10,000 people close to the Volcan Barú National Park. There are several hobby farms around town and many hostels, perhaps more aimed at Panamanian holidaymakers than foreigners.
Get in
Located about 50 km north of David. You can take a minibus from the terminal. You will need the bus to Cerro Punta, just say you want to get off at Volcán. Cost is about $3.
Get around
The town is fairly large for a Panamanian country town, but you can still walk to most of the restaurants and cafés if you're a bit of a hiker anyway. There are taxis in town too.
See
Do
There are some unmarked hiking trails around two lakes called Las Lagunas de Volcán on the south-west side of town. Some of the trails will require you to cross into farm land, remember to close the gates behind you.
You can also head up to the Volcán Barú National Park from here and explore trails in the prairies and foothills or climb the summit. If you are walking, you can turn right at the gas station to take a rough but scenic gravel road to the park instead of going all the way up to Paso Ancho proper and turning right on the sealed road.
Buy
Volcán has many farms nearby, and in town you can get lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes farmers drive past in pickup trucks selling their wares out the back.
Eat
- 1 Castrejon. Affordable fonda with typical Panamanian food
- 2 Cerro Brujo Gourmet, ☏ +507 6669-9196. Gourmet food prepared with herbs and vegetables grown in the same garden where you dine alfresco.
Drink
There are several coffee farms around town that grow the famous Geisha coffee. Several cafés in town have local coffee to try.
Sleep
- 1 Hostal Llano Lindo, ☏ +507 6514-0094. $15 private room and breakfast.
Connect
There is 4G connection in town, but the signal disappears when you get behind a hill. Going north to Paso Ancho and the entrance to Volcán Barú National Park you should still have some coverage.