Cajones de Chame

The Chame river has cut a narrow slot into the rock inland from the coast highway, and for a stretch of a couple of hundred metres the walls close in with deep pools between them, cold and dark green, which is why people come out from the capital at weekends to swim and jump. The rock is smooth and the current runs strongly through the narrows. It is around an hour from Panama City, which is most of its appeal.

What you actually see

• The slot - a couple of hundred metres of river between close rock walls.
• The pools - deep cold water in the narrows.
• The jumping rocks - the ledges above the deeper sections.
• The proximity - around an hour from the capital.

When to go

December to April has lower water and safer swimming. Rain upstream raises the river quickly and dangerously. Weekends are crowded with day trippers from the city.

Honest expectations

The river rises fast after upstream rain and people have drowned here. Weekends are very crowded and litter is a serious problem. The access track is rough.

Nearby

Punta Chame is south on the coast, and Panama City is east.