We Started our trip and left from the city at 8:00 a.m. (on Friday), with the idea to camping (first) at La Yeguada Forest Reserve and then, on Saturday, we thought to go to the Castle Hill, even though, we did many thinks so we stayed two days at the Reserve.
During the way was raining and it was cloudy, I was praying that It did not have raining in our destination and Thanks God, there was not rain there.
We arrived and saw the place next to the lake, there were not campers, that made me happy, because I wanted to be tranquility and I had fear that people were making a lot of noise.
We went to the second point of Mi Ambiente, where we reported, it is an important point, they gave us some indications and advises of the reserve.
El Desvío Waterfall
Then, we hiked to see the El Desvío Waterfall, there are to take a litter trail to arrive there (it is near to the second spot of Mi Ambiente) which has several tails to the river.
To see the waterfall, you have to go over a bridge, it seems like a lying ladder, it is to not wet the feed, because that part is not deep.
Waterfall viewpoint
If to continue through the trail you will arrive to the Waterfall viewpoint.
To this part, I had been in other moment, but in that occasion, I stayed taking some photos and Friends were already returning to the car.
The waterfall is very nice, it has one place where you can take a shower. There we stayed for a while, just for admiring it and of course, taking some photos.
Lagoon spot
We went to the Lagoon spot, for setting up the camping (video) and enjoy the place.
We set the chairs up, the barbecue, the hammock and we sat to talk, enjoy the place and we stared to cook (some delicious chops with tortilla), also, we carried a cooler and we buy a block of ice (1/4 ice), that permit us to have the things very cold for two nights.
I am glad of this camping, in other occasion it would have been bread with tuna or peanut butter or some cold corn buns, I enjoy the place in front the lake, around the mountains and with a nice weather.
Advise for barbecue/roast
we carried normal charcoal and quick ignition charcoal, we mixed it and it was very useful to ignite the barbecue.
The place is surrounded by pine trees, they were planted by a big reforestation many years ago (more o les in 60`s).
The lagoon is beautiful and the volcano crater, it gives us great views with some nice reflections.
If it is a clear night, you can see the stars.
Important information
La Yeguada below to Chitra – Calobre Volcanic Complex, from Veraguas Province, the last eruption was in 1620 and it is not yet considered extinct.
The Yeguada Forest Reserve offer areas to camp, to make campfire and a tail to go to El Desvio Waterfall.
If you do not like the idea to camp, you can also go, have a barbecue and put some hammock or chairs and spend the day.
Camping
We have some torches, I told them the we are going to do a tribal challenge hahaha, they were very useful, we only had 2, however, they gave us enough light to find the things and not to be dark at night, because we cook with the embers and it does not help to light.
Definitely, we will carry on the next camping.
The bad thing was some college students, they made a lot of noise at the night and the early morning. They left all their trash, that was scattered by the dogs and then at early morning arrived another person, put his camping with the car light turn on, and all of us woke up.
We left to know La Silampa Waterfall, then we came back quite exhausted, to put the camping again (it is not recommended to leave it alone) and with good luck! because the area that we used it, it was free, so we camping in the same place, we put everything again and pray to have a better night, and we had it.
I like that area, because it is next to the pine trees and it has the sky clear of branches, it allows to see the stars.
I had a lot of thirst, maybe because of the long hiking, I was drinking all the water, and how there were some beers I decided to drink one (those who know me know it is strange that I drink alcohol, never on hikes and never beer), a policeman arrived and was talking with us.
And then he asked me ¿do you know it is prohibit to drink (liquor) here? Now, you can imagine my face, I was in chock, well I did not that, apparently, it is a new law or regulation. He left us (without a penalty fee), I think because we were quiet and without noise.
The sunset provided even more beautiful colors than the night before. This time we dinner tortillas (Panamanian tortilla), sausages and chicken.
By that time, there was no a lot of rain and the water of the lagoon is quite down, that allowed me to hike through areas that in other months it is covered with water, and I can take different photos.
The fishes caught my attention, they were jumping, it is very difficult to see them, you have to see just at a point and wait for they jump, because you only see the waves in the water.
My Impressions
I can say this is one of the best camp that I have done, because: there is latrine, web bring barbacue, the torches gave it a special touch and despite not having built campfire, we didn´t need it (if you build a campfire, be careful, you cannot get too big because it can start a fire.
I am very happy, this is something I wanted to do a while ago, and I hope to return.
Then we went to know some Hot Springs and El Encanto of Calobre.
Note: there are no phone signal, it is only available Tigo phone signal.
Facilities
Lagoon Area
- Barbacue blocks, but if there are many people they may run out,
- Latrine.
Area near to the waterfall
- Shower (semi outdoor),
- Toilet,
- huts.
Advices
- Bring Barbacue equipment,
- Bring water, think about all that you need (drink, wash your hands, faces… ),
- Plastic tarp, they help a lot in the rain (you can accommodate it with pine trees and make a roof or cover your tent),
- Hammock, if you have one, bring it,
- Folding chairs,
- Trash bags, remember not to leave anything (neither the bag),
- A coat,
- Lantern,
- Bring everything need, there are grocery stores near the places, but there are very small and you probably won´t find what you need,
- If you play music, which it at low volume, your neighbors probably want to heart the Little birds there,
- Have enough gas to go back, at least to the Panamericana highway.
Hours
- Monday to Sunday,
- From 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Price
- Entrance fee.
Note
Although they are not charging yet, it is necessary to register at the entrance, Mi Ambiente facilities.
At the moment, only hiking is allowed.
You can only go with a reservation: write to reservalayeguada@miambiente.gob.pa
Information to give to make the booking
- Do it with a minimum of 72 hours in advance,
- You must put in the subject: Reserva área protegida,
- Date of the visit,
- Number of people visiting (in case of groups, only up to 8 people are allowed),
- Name and telephone number of the person who is booking,
- Names, surnames, ages, nationalities and identity card or passport number of the visitors.
Maximum capacity
- 25 people per day at the lagoon area.
- 30 people per day at the administrative headquarters (near to the waterfall).
Regulations of the National Parks
- No pets,
- Forbidden to feed the fauna,
- Do not swim on the lagoon.
- Do not bring alcoholic drinks,
- No Smoking,
- Do not carry or take out, species of fauna and flora or parts and sub-parts of these.
La Yeguada Reserve rules
- Do not make noise
- Don´t leave trashes
- Do not drink liquor
- Do not swim in the lagoon.
How to get there to La Yeguada?
By car: take the Panamericana Highway, if you go from the east (Cocle, Panama city …) enter through El jaguito, and if you go from Veraguas or Chiriqui), enter through Santiago, stay on the road until to reach to San Francisco, from there follow the signal to get to Calobre, and then the signals to get to La Yeguada.
In both cases you will pass through Calobre and you can guide with Google Maps, the main streets do not have deviation, when you get to La Yeguada, you will know it, because you will see the Mi Ambiente station.
The street is paved and there are in which it is better than others, but general it is quite good, you will possibly lose the phone signal before arriving.
By bus: The direct route to La Yeguada is scarce. It can get from Calobre, Santiago and Aguadulce.
You can also get to Calobre from Santiango, Aguadulce and Panama, then take a bus to La Yeguada.
If you are in David, you should take a bus to Santiago and then one of the above options.
Updated: 2021.
Other Places you may like
- Knowing the Fascinating El Encanto of Calobre
- Las Damas Waterfall of La Yeguada
- Trip to La Silampa Waterfall
- Las Celestes Waterfall and its Natural Pool
- Amazing Hot Springs Waterholes in Chitra
