Parque Internacional la Amistad

Introducing Parque Internacional la Amistad

The 407, 000-hectare Parque Internacional La Amistad was established jointly in 1988 by Panama and Costa Rica – hence its name, La Amistad (Friendship). In 1990 La Amistad was declared a Unesco World Heritage site and later became part of the greater Mesoamerican Biological corridor. In Panama, the park covers portions of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro Provinces, contains seven of the 12 classified life zones, and serves as a refuge for a great number of endangered flora and fauna.

La Amistad is also home to members of three indigenous groups: the Naso (Teribe), the Bribri and the Ngöbe-Buglé. Although these groups are still clinging to their traditional ways of life, their numbers are dwindling fast, especially as outside influences continue to invade their culture. However, in an effort to preserve their identify while simultaneously providing a means of income, the Naso have created an ecological center at Wekso, the former site of the infamous US-run Pana-Jungla survival school. Today, this ecotourism project is thriving as more and more travelers discover the beauty of both the rugged wilderness of La Amistad and the ancestral culture of the Naso.

Last updated: Jul 22, 2009