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Santa Marta is a mountain community in rural Coclé province in the Republic of Panama.
The nearest town is El Copé, a town that can be reached via bus transit from Panama City,
Aguadulce, and Penonomé. One can easily spend a long weekend here; there are beautiful
waterfalls, opportunities for quality hiking, and history buffs can take in the site of General
Omar Torrijos's downed plane. Torrijos was a military general in Panama and was
responsible for the Panamanian acquisition of Panama Canal via the 1976 treaty with the
US. The people of Santa Marta are extremely hospitable and welcoming, and are able and
willing to host travelers. While there aren't many lights to be found (there is no public
electricity), families are known to spend the nighttime hours conversing or playing card
games.
Activities
Take part in cultural activities such as cooking a meal, making a traditional Panamanian
sombrero, or relaxing to live presentations of traditional campesino music.
While there are currently three main hikes available, the most interesting is the hike up
Cerro Juan Julio, whose jungle foliage has engulfed remnants of the Torrijos's downed
plane. While all hikes are lengthy (in excess of 1-2 hours), the 4-hour climb to the crash and
peak of Juan Julio can be exhausting for less adept hikers. For this reason, the local
ecotourism organization, ACMA, has made single-day and overnight trips to Juan Julio
available. Guides are required for these hikes and horses are available.
Another popular activity is hiking to the gorgeous waterfall, Chorro Tigre, where you can
enjoy a refreshing swim.
Arrangements
There are currently no hotels in Santa Marta, but you have the option of camping or staying
with a family. Electricity comes from car batteries and the water comes from four
mountainside reservoirs, and the families are extremely welcoming and accommodating. The
experience also offers the opportunity for a great cultural experience and a chance to
practice Spanish. If you are not keen on the idea of a homestay, you also have the
opportunity to camp. Camping is available near some of the organic farms just outside of
town.
Whether you stay with a family or not you have the option of having someone in the
community cook an authentic meal for you. There are only two small stores with snacks and
bare necessities, so if you don’t want traditional Panamanian meals you’ll need to pack in
your own food.
How to Get There
Santa Marta’s remote location makes it only accessible by local trucks or other 4WD vehicle
from El Copé. A few public chivas run to Santa Marta each day or you can call ahead to
arrange for private transportation. El Copé can be reached by public transportation from the
Rio Grande entrada on the Interamericana, there are also buses that run from Panama to El
Copé, and it is about a three-hour bus ride.
Another option is to hike or take horses from El Copé. The hike is about two hours and a
guide can be arranged ahead of time.
How to Book a Tour
Contact us (see information below) to set up your personal tour!
The nearest town is El Copé, a town that can be reached via bus transit from Panama City,
Aguadulce, and Penonomé. One can easily spend a long weekend here; there are beautiful
waterfalls, opportunities for quality hiking, and history buffs can take in the site of General
Omar Torrijos's downed plane. Torrijos was a military general in Panama and was
responsible for the Panamanian acquisition of Panama Canal via the 1976 treaty with the
US. The people of Santa Marta are extremely hospitable and welcoming, and are able and
willing to host travelers. While there aren't many lights to be found (there is no public
electricity), families are known to spend the nighttime hours conversing or playing card
games.
Activities
Take part in cultural activities such as cooking a meal, making a traditional Panamanian
sombrero, or relaxing to live presentations of traditional campesino music.
While there are currently three main hikes available, the most interesting is the hike up
Cerro Juan Julio, whose jungle foliage has engulfed remnants of the Torrijos's downed
plane. While all hikes are lengthy (in excess of 1-2 hours), the 4-hour climb to the crash and
peak of Juan Julio can be exhausting for less adept hikers. For this reason, the local
ecotourism organization, ACMA, has made single-day and overnight trips to Juan Julio
available. Guides are required for these hikes and horses are available.
Another popular activity is hiking to the gorgeous waterfall, Chorro Tigre, where you can
enjoy a refreshing swim.
Arrangements
There are currently no hotels in Santa Marta, but you have the option of camping or staying
with a family. Electricity comes from car batteries and the water comes from four
mountainside reservoirs, and the families are extremely welcoming and accommodating. The
experience also offers the opportunity for a great cultural experience and a chance to
practice Spanish. If you are not keen on the idea of a homestay, you also have the
opportunity to camp. Camping is available near some of the organic farms just outside of
town.
Whether you stay with a family or not you have the option of having someone in the
community cook an authentic meal for you. There are only two small stores with snacks and
bare necessities, so if you don’t want traditional Panamanian meals you’ll need to pack in
your own food.
How to Get There
Santa Marta’s remote location makes it only accessible by local trucks or other 4WD vehicle
from El Copé. A few public chivas run to Santa Marta each day or you can call ahead to
arrange for private transportation. El Copé can be reached by public transportation from the
Rio Grande entrada on the Interamericana, there are also buses that run from Panama to El
Copé, and it is about a three-hour bus ride.
Another option is to hike or take horses from El Copé. The hike is about two hours and a
guide can be arranged ahead of time.
How to Book a Tour
Contact us (see information below) to set up your personal tour!
Information about Santa Marta:
In Short
Founded: 1880
Population: ~700
origin of the name Santa Marta: A girl,
named Marta, thought that there was
water in between two mountains (it
was the sky), people started calling
the mountain "Cerro de Marta"
Jobs: subsistence farming,
professional guides, nature experts
Agricultural crops: coffee, oranges,
corn, yucca
Other attributes: no electricity, there
is a school and a couple of small
stores
In Short
Founded: 1880
Population: ~700
origin of the name Santa Marta: A girl,
named Marta, thought that there was
water in between two mountains (it
was the sky), people started calling
the mountain "Cerro de Marta"
Jobs: subsistence farming,
professional guides, nature experts
Agricultural crops: coffee, oranges,
corn, yucca
Other attributes: no electricity, there
is a school and a couple of small
stores
Contact Information
Association for the Conservation of Nature
Adalberto Lorenzo, President
telephone: (011.507)6774.5061
Spanish only
La MICA Biological Station
Julie Ray, Director
telephone: (011.507)6707.8900
e-mail: la.mica@yahoo.com
English or Spanish
Association for the Conservation of Nature
Adalberto Lorenzo, President
telephone: (011.507)6774.5061
Spanish only
La MICA Biological Station
Julie Ray, Director
telephone: (011.507)6707.8900
e-mail: la.mica@yahoo.com
English or Spanish
Prices
All prices are subject to change. Please contact us to arrange your
visit.
Lodging: $8.00/ person / 24 hours
Camping: $5.00 / tent / 24 hours
Meals: $3.00
Guide: $10 / day/ group*
Private Transportation: $20 / group/ each way
Private Transportation: $30.00 / group/ round trip (if same day)
Horse**: $10.00 / day
Public Transportation: $1.50/ person / each way
*Large groups may be asked to hire more than 1 guide.
**Anyone renting a horse is required also to hire a guide.
All prices are subject to change. Please contact us to arrange your
visit.
Lodging: $8.00/ person / 24 hours
Camping: $5.00 / tent / 24 hours
Meals: $3.00
Guide: $10 / day/ group*
Private Transportation: $20 / group/ each way
Private Transportation: $30.00 / group/ round trip (if same day)
Horse**: $10.00 / day
Public Transportation: $1.50/ person / each way
*Large groups may be asked to hire more than 1 guide.
**Anyone renting a horse is required also to hire a guide.
| La MICA Biological Station El Copé-La Pintada ● Provincia de Coclé ● Republica de Panama US Mailing Address: Julie Ray ● 12458 132nd Street ● Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 www.lamica.org ● la.mica@yahoo.com ● t: (011.507)6707.8900 (Panama) |