Pozo Azul Waterfalls: a True Hidden Gem of Panama
Ever heard of Pozo Azul waterfalls in Panama? Chances are you haven’t, but you should definitely come check them out! There are certain things and places in this world that are worth adding to your bucket list. Many of them (actually, 7 to be precise) were voted a few years ago as 7 natural wonders.
But there are hundreds of thousands more around the globe; some of them still undiscovered. Hidden Gems are hard to come by nowadays, but the Pozo Azul waterfalls are one of them.
There are still some spots out there that aren’t full of tourists and that’s the beauty of traveling the world: to be able to enjoy (and why not to discover) all of the natural wonders that are out there! Here’s a beautiful corner of Panama we’re going to share with you, along with everything you need to know for visiting the Pozo Azul waterfalls yourself.
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Pozo Azul Waterfalls: Basic Info for Visiting This Hidden Gem
Before going into the details of how to get there and what the costs are, we’re going to go into a few of the basics for visiting Pozo Azul Waterfalls in Panama.
💧 What is Pozo Azul in Panama?
Also known as “Los Chorros de Pozo Azul”, there are a group of small waterfalls that are seriously prettier than any word or picture that we can show you.
Each waterfall becomes a natural crystal-clear pool, and each pool becomes a new waterfall. All of this beauty is covered in lush vegetation, making you feel like you’re inside of a fairytale.
❣️ Where is Pozo Azul, Panama?
Los Chorros de Pozo Azul are located in a small town in Panama, appropriately called Pozo Azul Waterfalls, which is in the central area of the country, just a few hours from the capital. The closest big city is the city of Penonome.
Pozo Azul is located in a small town in the middle of Panama.
How to Get To Pozo Azul Waterfalls in Panama
Now that you know where Pozo Azul Waterfalls are, let’s get you there!
To get the the falls, depending on where you are coming from, you will have to go first to Penonomé. We came from Santiago, which is the largest hub that can easily connect to this area.
✈️ Where to Fly to Visit Pozo Azul Waterfalls
The most accessible airport to fly into is Panama City, which is the capital of Panama. The closest airport to Pozo Azul Waterfalls though, is Santiago (which is also where we visited Pozo Azul from).
✈️ Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can put from “your city” to “Panama”. This way you can see which is the cheapest airport in the area to fly to. Also, you can check the calendar to see which dates are the cheapest for your destination!
🚌 Options for Visiting Pozo Azul Waterfalls
There are three different ways you can reach Pozo Azul Waterfalls in Panama:
🚗 Visiting Pozo Azul Waterfalls by Car
The easiest way to get to Pozo Azul Waterfalls is by renting a car in either Panama City or Santiago. Santiago is the closest city, but Panama City has the most options. We’d recommend renting in advance for the best availability.
🚌 Visiting Pozo Azul by Public Transport + Hike
If you’re looking to visit Pozo Azul Waterfalls by public transportation, then you first need to travel to Penonome. To get there, you can find buses from Santiago.
Once you’re in Penonome you will need to get a 45 minute mini bus from the station towards Loma Grande, that will drop you in front of the path to the Pozo Azul Waterfalls.
You’ll be dropped off at a small corner where there is a school, and seems to be in the middle of nowhere. Just make sure to let the driver know where you are going exactly so that s/he can let you know exactly when to get off. (If you plan on doing this option you can skip to the hiking section for all the details).
🚐 Visiting Pozo Azul Waterfalls by Tour
If you don’t have a car, and don’t want the hassle of taking several buses or hiking extra, then taking a tour to Pozo Azul Waterfalls is a great option. You’ll have the opportunity to be led by a local guide leaving from either Anton de Valle or Cocle. It’s also more fun and a great option if you want to hang out with other like-minded travelers.
The Hike to Pozo Azul Waterfalls, Panama
Once you get dropped off by the bus, you’ll start your short hike to Pozo Azul Waterfalls. You will have to walk for 45 minutes to 1 hour on a very hilly road. It is extremely hot, so we suggest bringing plenty of water. The road doesn’t have much more than a few homes, and one small shop in the beginning of the hike.
We suggest that if you don’t already have some, grab a drink and some snacks, because you won’t find any after this.
Make sure you have cash, because this tiny town does not accept cards. We suggest getting the ices there, as they are tasty and only about 50 cents a piece! Also, make sure to keep your camera handy. You’ll be greeted with some stunning views of the lush greenery and mountains surrounding.
Once you arrive you’ll find a small gate, and potentially someone asking for payment.
Price to Enter Pozo Azul, Panama
Although time consuming, Los Chorros de Pozo Azul, Panama are extremely affordable to get to! The bus rides are no more than a dollar or two each to get there. When we arrived there was no one there at all so we actually went in for free.
When we left there was a child there asking $1 for the entrance. From what we gathered this is not an official price, but if you would like to contribute it doesn’t hurt.
Do keep in mind that our visit to Pozo Azul Waterfalls was back in 2019, so there is a good chance that this may have changed. We’d recommend bringing a bit of cash, but small bills just in case.
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The Waterfalls of Pozo Azul, Panama
You’ll be greeted with a few different set of falls going one into the other. At the bottom you’ll find a large natural pool with turquoise waters, and large rocks that you can climb up.
There is plenty of space to lie out in the sun, as well as trees for shade. Climb up on top to get a great view of the place, or take a jump inside for some extra fun!
Pozo Azul, Panama has boulders you can climb up for a great view of the pools below, or to jump from.
Final Tips for Visiting Pozo Azul Waterfalls & What’s Next
Now you know pretty much everything you need to experience the beauty of the Pozo Azul waterfalls in Panama. But before you go, here are a few other things to keep in mind.
🎒 Preparing For a Visit to Pozo Azul Waterfalls in Panama
Being that Pozo Azul Waterrfalls is out in nature, there aren’t any amenities there. Here are some of the things we suggest bringing with you:
- Bathing Suit
- Towel
- Sneakers (for the hiking portion)
- Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Water Shoes
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it’s small & waterproof)
- Waterproof Phone Pouch (we use this super affordable phone pouch from Casemate)
- Drone (You can get really cool shots from above! We use the Mavic Mini 4 Pro because it’s super light and doesn’t sacrifice quality)
Pozo Azul is a serious hidden gem, and there’s a great chance you’ll have it to yourself!
Finally, make sure to have some cash to pay in case someone is guarding the gate, or if you want to grab a snack at the kiosk on the side of the road.
We have had the privilege of visiting many places in the world so far, and believe us when we tell you that Pozo Azul waterfalls will leave you speechless. We tried to take as many pictures and videos as possible, but we think there was no way of transmitting what we felt when we first saw it.
And the best part? Due to the fact that not many people know about it, you have very high chances of find the place completely empty. What else could you ask for?! So pack your travel essentials (if you don’t know what they are, take a look at our list of 10 travel essentials).
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👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know all about visiting Pozo Azul Waterfalls in Panama, let’s help you explore more of the country!
Here are the other articles about Panama you can check out:
❣️ Top 10 places to visit in Panama
🏝 Bocas del Toro Travel Guide
⭐️ 18 Must-visit places in Central America
One of our favorite things is to seek hidden gems. We have tons of other great ones that we found through the world. Some of the best ones we’ve found you can check out in our guides throughout the country of Mexico.
Not only that, but we also found quite a few right nearby in Central America! Traveling through Central America and want to see some other hidden gems? Check out our article “18 Must Visit Place in Central America”!
Ready to book that next trip? Let us do the work! We’re dedicated to finding you the best deals, while exploring more. Want to know how it works? Take a look at our travel planning packages.
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