Omar Torrijos National Park | National Parks Association

Omar Torrijos Overview

Omar Torrijos National Park, known locally as Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos, is a protected natural area in central Panama, covering approximately 25 square miles (65 square kilometers).

Located in the Coclé Province, the park lies within the Cordillera Central mountain range, providing visitors with a diverse landscape of cloud forests, rugged hills, and deep valleys. Named after former Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos, the park is known for its role in conservation and ecological preservation, offering an essential refuge for wildlife and a serene destination for nature enthusiasts.

The park’s terrain is a mixture of steep ridges, rolling hills, and dense cloud forests, often draped in mist, creating a mystical atmosphere. The elevation varies, with the highest peaks offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Among the park’s most prominent features is Cerro Marta, a peak that stands out as a favorite hiking destination for visitors seeking panoramic views of the forest canopy. The region’s fertile volcanic soil supports lush vegetation, including towering trees, moss-covered trunks, and a rich understory of ferns and orchids. Streams and small waterfalls cascade through the park, nourishing the vibrant ecosystem that flourishes under its dense canopy.

Wildlife enthusiasts visiting Omar Torrijos National Park can expect to see a remarkable diversity of species, with both endemic and migratory animals inhabiting the area. Mammals such as Baird’s tapir, ocelots, and howler monkeys thrive in the dense forests, while white-faced capuchin monkeys can often be spotted swinging through the trees. Birdwatchers will be particularly drawn to the park’s avian diversity, with over 300 bird species recorded.

The resplendent quetzal, a striking and elusive bird, is one of the park’s highlights, along with toucans, trogons, and various species of hummingbirds. Reptiles and amphibians, including colorful poison dart frogs and iguanas, can also be found throughout the park, adding to the region’s biodiversity.

Visitors are drawn to Omar Torrijos National Park for its peaceful, unspoiled beauty and the opportunities for adventure within its natural surroundings. Hiking is one of the most popular activities, with trails winding through dense forest, leading to scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and wildlife observation points.

The trails vary in difficulty, from gentle paths suitable for casual walks to more challenging routes leading up the mountains. Camping is permitted in designated areas, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the tranquility of the park.

Guided tours offer a deeper understanding of the park’s ecology and history, while birdwatching excursions cater to those hoping to spot rare and exotic species. Photographers and nature lovers will find endless inspiration in the ever-changing light and mist of the cloud forest.

Despite its beauty and ecological significance, Omar Torrijos National Park faces conservation challenges, including deforestation pressures from surrounding areas and the effects of climate change on its delicate cloud forest environment.

However, the park’s management, in collaboration with conservation organizations, has made significant efforts to protect its biodiversity. Sustainable tourism initiatives and local community involvement have helped ensure the park remains a sanctuary for wildlife while providing educational and economic benefits to nearby communities.

Continued conservation efforts are crucial in maintaining the park’s ecological balance and protecting its unique flora and fauna for future generations.

Park Map

Omar Torrijos National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Omar Torrijos National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, boasting an impressive array of avian species. The park’s mix of cloud forests and tropical landscapes provides an ideal habitat for many striking and rare birds.

Resplendent Quetzal
One of the most spectacular birds in the park, the resplendent quetzal is famous for its iridescent green plumage and long, flowing tail feathers. A sacred bird in Mayan culture, it is often seen feeding on wild avocados and other fruits in the canopy.

Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle
This majestic raptor soars high above the forest in search of prey, which includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is distinguished by its striking black-and-white plumage and sharp eyesight.

Tody Motmot
A small, elusive bird with a distinctive short tail, the tody motmot is known for its bright green and rusty orange coloration. It prefers dense, shaded areas and often remains motionless to avoid detection.

Collared Aracari
A close relative of the toucan, the collared aracari has a vividly colored beak and striking yellow, red, and black plumage. It feeds primarily on fruit but occasionally consumes insects and small vertebrates.

Purple-throated Mountain Gem
This dazzling hummingbird is named for the brilliant purple patch on its throat, which is most prominent in males. It flits among the flowers, feeding on nectar and playing a vital role in pollination.

Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo
A secretive bird that is rarely seen, this species follows army ant swarms to catch insects and small creatures fleeing from the ants. It is known for its long legs and agile movements through the undergrowth.

Keel-billed Toucan
With its oversized, multicolored bill, the keel-billed toucan is one of the most recognizable birds in the park. It is highly social and often moves in small flocks, feeding on fruit and occasionally small animals.

Slaty-tailed Trogon
This trogon species is known for its dark green upperparts, bright red belly, and slate-gray tail. It perches quietly in the mid-canopy, feeding on fruit and insects.

White-tipped Sicklebill
A unique hummingbird with a dramatically curved bill, the white-tipped sicklebill specializes in feeding on the nectar of curved flowers. It prefers dense forest understory habitats.

Barred Forest-Falcon
A stealthy and skilled predator, the barred forest-falcon hunts small birds and mammals within the thick forest. It is known for its distinctive barred pattern and piercing call that echoes through the jungle.

Popular

Omar Torrijos National Park, located in the central highlands of Panama, is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including fascinating mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. The park’s cloud forests and tropical ecosystems provide an ideal habitat for many rare and iconic species.

Baird’s Tapir
The largest land mammal in Central America, Baird’s tapir is a nocturnal herbivore that thrives in the dense forests of the park. With its distinctive elongated snout, it forages for leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal.

Geoffroy’s Tamarin
This small primate, also known as the Panamanian tamarin, is easily recognized by its black-and-white facial markings and reddish-brown back. Agile and social, it moves through the treetops in small groups, communicating with high-pitched calls.

Mantled Howler Monkey
Named for its thick, black fur and distinctive golden-brown mantle, the howler monkey is famous for its deep, echoing roar. These monkeys live in family groups and primarily feed on leaves, making them important for maintaining the park’s canopy ecology.

Collared Peccary
A pig-like mammal that roams the park’s forests, the collared peccary is known for its coarse fur and a strong scent gland used for communication. These social animals travel in groups and are often seen foraging for roots, fruits, and small invertebrates.

Jaguarundi
A small, elusive wild cat with a sleek body and a long tail, the jaguarundi can be found in various colors, ranging from reddish-brown to black. Unlike other wild cats, it is active during the day and is an excellent climber and swimmer.

Eyelash Palm Pit Viper
A strikingly beautiful yet venomous snake, this species is recognized by its bright yellow, green, or reddish coloration and the “eyelash” scales above its eyes. It is an ambush predator that waits patiently for frogs, lizards, and small mammals.

Fer-de-Lance
One of the most feared snakes in Central America, the fer-de-lance is a highly venomous pit viper known for its aggressive behavior and potent venom. It blends well into the leaf litter and plays an essential role in controlling rodent populations.

Green-and-Black Poison Dart Frog
This small but striking amphibian is covered in bright green and black patterns, a warning of its toxic skin secretions. It inhabits moist forest floors and is known for its role in indigenous cultures, which have used its toxins for hunting.

Nine-Banded Armadillo
Recognized by its armor-like shell and burrowing habits, the nine-banded armadillo is a nocturnal forager that digs for insects and small invertebrates. It is a solitary species that thrives in a variety of environments, including the park’s forests.

Ocelot
A medium-sized wild cat with beautiful spotted fur, the ocelot is a stealthy nocturnal hunter. It preys on rodents, birds, and reptiles, using its keen eyesight and agility to navigate the dense undergrowth of the park.

Birds

Omar Torrijos National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, boasting an impressive array of avian species. The park’s mix of cloud forests and tropical landscapes provides an ideal habitat for many striking and rare birds.

Resplendent Quetzal
One of the most spectacular birds in the park, the resplendent quetzal is famous for its iridescent green plumage and long, flowing tail feathers. A sacred bird in Mayan culture, it is often seen feeding on wild avocados and other fruits in the canopy.

Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle
This majestic raptor soars high above the forest in search of prey, which includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is distinguished by its striking black-and-white plumage and sharp eyesight.

Tody Motmot
A small, elusive bird with a distinctive short tail, the tody motmot is known for its bright green and rusty orange coloration. It prefers dense, shaded areas and often remains motionless to avoid detection.

Collared Aracari
A close relative of the toucan, the collared aracari has a vividly colored beak and striking yellow, red, and black plumage. It feeds primarily on fruit but occasionally consumes insects and small vertebrates.

Purple-throated Mountain Gem
This dazzling hummingbird is named for the brilliant purple patch on its throat, which is most prominent in males. It flits among the flowers, feeding on nectar and playing a vital role in pollination.

Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo
A secretive bird that is rarely seen, this species follows army ant swarms to catch insects and small creatures fleeing from the ants. It is known for its long legs and agile movements through the undergrowth.

Keel-billed Toucan
With its oversized, multicolored bill, the keel-billed toucan is one of the most recognizable birds in the park. It is highly social and often moves in small flocks, feeding on fruit and occasionally small animals.

Slaty-tailed Trogon
This trogon species is known for its dark green upperparts, bright red belly, and slate-gray tail. It perches quietly in the mid-canopy, feeding on fruit and insects.

White-tipped Sicklebill
A unique hummingbird with a dramatically curved bill, the white-tipped sicklebill specializes in feeding on the nectar of curved flowers. It prefers dense forest understory habitats.

Barred Forest-Falcon
A stealthy and skilled predator, the barred forest-falcon hunts small birds and mammals within the thick forest. It is known for its distinctive barred pattern and piercing call that echoes through the jungle.

Popular

Omar Torrijos National Park, located in the central highlands of Panama, is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including fascinating mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. The park’s cloud forests and tropical ecosystems provide an ideal habitat for many rare and iconic species.

Baird’s Tapir
The largest land mammal in Central America, Baird’s tapir is a nocturnal herbivore that thrives in the dense forests of the park. With its distinctive elongated snout, it forages for leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal.

Geoffroy’s Tamarin
This small primate, also known as the Panamanian tamarin, is easily recognized by its black-and-white facial markings and reddish-brown back. Agile and social, it moves through the treetops in small groups, communicating with high-pitched calls.

Mantled Howler Monkey
Named for its thick, black fur and distinctive golden-brown mantle, the howler monkey is famous for its deep, echoing roar. These monkeys live in family groups and primarily feed on leaves, making them important for maintaining the park’s canopy ecology.

Collared Peccary
A pig-like mammal that roams the park’s forests, the collared peccary is known for its coarse fur and a strong scent gland used for communication. These social animals travel in groups and are often seen foraging for roots, fruits, and small invertebrates.

Jaguarundi
A small, elusive wild cat with a sleek body and a long tail, the jaguarundi can be found in various colors, ranging from reddish-brown to black. Unlike other wild cats, it is active during the day and is an excellent climber and swimmer.

Eyelash Palm Pit Viper
A strikingly beautiful yet venomous snake, this species is recognized by its bright yellow, green, or reddish coloration and the “eyelash” scales above its eyes. It is an ambush predator that waits patiently for frogs, lizards, and small mammals.

Fer-de-Lance
One of the most feared snakes in Central America, the fer-de-lance is a highly venomous pit viper known for its aggressive behavior and potent venom. It blends well into the leaf litter and plays an essential role in controlling rodent populations.

Green-and-Black Poison Dart Frog
This small but striking amphibian is covered in bright green and black patterns, a warning of its toxic skin secretions. It inhabits moist forest floors and is known for its role in indigenous cultures, which have used its toxins for hunting.

Nine-Banded Armadillo
Recognized by its armor-like shell and burrowing habits, the nine-banded armadillo is a nocturnal forager that digs for insects and small invertebrates. It is a solitary species that thrives in a variety of environments, including the park’s forests.

Ocelot
A medium-sized wild cat with beautiful spotted fur, the ocelot is a stealthy nocturnal hunter. It preys on rodents, birds, and reptiles, using its keen eyesight and agility to navigate the dense undergrowth of the park.

Birds

Omar Torrijos National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, boasting an impressive array of avian species. The park’s mix of cloud forests and tropical landscapes provides an ideal habitat for many striking and rare birds.

Resplendent Quetzal
One of the most spectacular birds in the park, the resplendent quetzal is famous for its iridescent green plumage and long, flowing tail feathers. A sacred bird in Mayan culture, it is often seen feeding on wild avocados and other fruits in the canopy.

Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle
This majestic raptor soars high above the forest in search of prey, which includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is distinguished by its striking black-and-white plumage and sharp eyesight.

Tody Motmot
A small, elusive bird with a distinctive short tail, the tody motmot is known for its bright green and rusty orange coloration. It prefers dense, shaded areas and often remains motionless to avoid detection.

Collared Aracari
A close relative of the toucan, the collared aracari has a vividly colored beak and striking yellow, red, and black plumage. It feeds primarily on fruit but occasionally consumes insects and small vertebrates.

Purple-throated Mountain Gem
This dazzling hummingbird is named for the brilliant purple patch on its throat, which is most prominent in males. It flits among the flowers, feeding on nectar and playing a vital role in pollination.

Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo
A secretive bird that is rarely seen, this species follows army ant swarms to catch insects and small creatures fleeing from the ants. It is known for its long legs and agile movements through the undergrowth.

Keel-billed Toucan
With its oversized, multicolored bill, the keel-billed toucan is one of the most recognizable birds in the park. It is highly social and often moves in small flocks, feeding on fruit and occasionally small animals.

Slaty-tailed Trogon
This trogon species is known for its dark green upperparts, bright red belly, and slate-gray tail. It perches quietly in the mid-canopy, feeding on fruit and insects.

White-tipped Sicklebill
A unique hummingbird with a dramatically curved bill, the white-tipped sicklebill specializes in feeding on the nectar of curved flowers. It prefers dense forest understory habitats.

Barred Forest-Falcon
A stealthy and skilled predator, the barred forest-falcon hunts small birds and mammals within the thick forest. It is known for its distinctive barred pattern and piercing call that echoes through the jungle.

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