The Quetzales Trail

The Sendero Los Quetzales runs about eight kilometres between the Boquete and Cerro Punta sides of Volcán Barú, through cloud forest at between two thousand and two and a half thousand metres, and it is named for the resplendent quetzal, which breeds here in numbers between roughly February and June and is genuinely findable rather than a distant hope. The forest is dripping, hung with bromeliads and moss, and the river runs beside the path for much of the way. Walking it downhill from Cerro Punta to Boquete is considerably easier than the reverse, and transport has to be arranged at both ends.

The landscape

• Resplendent quetzals - breeding here from around February to June.
• The cloud forest - moss, bromeliads and tree ferns at 2,000 metres.
• The river - running beside the trail for much of the route.
• The crossing - between two very different sides of the same volcano.

When to go

December to April is the drier season and best for walking; quetzals are most visible and vocal from February to June during breeding. Walk from Cerro Punta down to Boquete rather than the other way. Start early, since the crossing takes most of a day.

What to expect

The trail is muddy year-round and has been damaged by landslides more than once, with sections closed for repair; check it is open. Transport at both ends must be arranged in advance and is expensive. Weather turns fast at altitude and people have been caught out. Quetzals are seasonal and not guaranteed.

Nearby

Boquete is at the eastern end; Cerro Punta and Volcán at the western.