Omar Torrijos National Park
This national park is located 30 minutes from Vistas Cope. Created in 1986 to protect the cloud forest and watershed between the Panamanian Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the park spans 25,000 hectares (nearly 62,000 acres) and is named after the former President of Panama, General Omar Torrijos. Higher areas of the park are low mountain forest, lower areas are premontane rainforest, and the lowest parts are very humid tropical rainforest along the more wet Caribbean slope. The park's highest point at 1,314 meters is Cerro Punta Blanca.
Among the endangered mammals found in Omar Torrijos are Panama's big cats include the jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay and jagarunde. There are also populations of Baird-s tapir, colored pecceary and white-tailed deer as well as a variety of birds including the rare orange-bellied trogan, the bare necked umbrella bird, the snowcap and the rare strong billed woodcreeper.
Omar Torrijos is easily accessible by road, which is rocky and therefore not advisable for smaller cars. The park has a visitor center and a hiking trails, and on a clear day you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts from a well-marked viewing point.
Waterfalls and Beaches
The beautiful waterfalls of Las Yayas are located close to Vistas Cope. Managed by the local community, the fee is only US$2 per person and payable at the roadside kiosk at the entrance to the waterfalls (where you can also park your car). The trail leads to three waterfalls, the last being the largest.
Vistas Cope is also not far from beautiful beaches. Playa Blanca and Farallon beaches are approximately one hour from the eco-villa by car, accessibly via day passes for Buenaventura or Playa Blanca hotels. Further away along the Azuero peninsula are the beaches of Pedasi and the Isla Iguana.
Whale watching season near Vistas Cope is August and September. There is also turtle hatching further down the Azuero peninsula in September and October.
Local Towns
El Cope is the local town closest to Vistas Cope. There you will find stores to purchase basic food, canned goods, fresh meat and vegetables. Vistas Cope also buys fresh vegetables and fruits from a local farmer, Agustin, who operates a small roadside stand just near the entrance to El Cope. For coffee and even local breakfast or lunch, we recommend a small restaurant called La Fonda in El Cope. La Fonda is located in the street close to the police. The entire area is very local, and fun for guests to explore!
Penonome is the main town and is approximately a 40 minutes drive from Vistas Cope. Penonome hosts large supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants and a large fresh fruit and vegetable market. The market is well worth a visit as many local farmers come to sell their local produce here. For dining in Penonome, we recommend Gastronomia Mar del Sur, Yukas Grill and Mexon de Santa Cruz (a converted church in the center of the town).
La Pintada, a quaint mountain village, is also 40 minutes from Vistas Cope via a beautiful winding mountain road. La Pintada is famous for its hats.
Finally, El Cano are the famous Indigenous tombs located 40 minutes from Vistas Cope.The following is placeholder text known as “lorem ipsum,” which is scrambled Latin used by designers to mimic real copy. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.