The San Lorenzo National Park (Parque Nacional San Lorenzo in Spanish) is located on the occidental bank of the Panama Canal, and has an extension of 12 thousand 253 hectare, where you can find forests, swamps and a coastal ecosystem. The numerous tourists and nationals that visit this park enjoy its flora and fauna while getting to know the history of this tropical country.

Near San Lorenzo National Park you can observe the San Lorenzo Fort and bunkers from the First World War, the Chagres River, and the Gatun Lake Dam which are embellished by abundant nature and the chirping of the birds. Its rich colonial history, crystalline beaches, lush vegetation and fauna are all part of the attractions that San Lorenzo National Park offers and that are looking towards being oriented to ecotourism.

It is expected that the Tortuguillas beach and the Diablo beach will be equipped with interpretative paths and lunchrooms that the tourists can go to, of course respecting the parameters of the biodiversity of the zone. Also conservationist and tourist groups such as the Rapaces of the community of Achiote have also been incorporated in order to join these efforts of eco-tourism.

At the San Lorenzo National Park you can observe more than 270 species of birds, among which we can point out: Cattle Egret, Ruddy Ground-dove, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Blue-headed Parrot, rainbow-billed toucan, Blue-gray tanager among others. While the jaguars, ocelot, boas, crocodiles, boars, iguanas among others are animals that inhabitate through the paths of the forest.

Rich vegetation in San Lorenzo Park

In San Lorenzo National Park there are diverse ecosystems among them we have:

• Bosque Húmedo Tropical de Hoja Ancha: trees of smooth columnar trunks and wide leaves. You can find true lianas or vines, which need pollinate species of the fauna and abundant biodiversity. Within this ecosystem we can find different vegetable associations and three zones of wildlife. In addition, the San Lorenzo National Park, the coral reefs are knows as reef strips. They group in five sites and present high biological diversity.

• Bosque Estacional Siempreverde: typical coverage of the Caribbean slope. Other than always being green, it is considered seasonal because the production of flowers and fruits are concentrated in the summer between January and April.

Remember to bring your camera, binoculars, cap or hat, sunglasses, sun block and water. On your next visit to Panama.