Las Golondrinas Hike - Santa Fe, Panama

by Rebecca Hollman
updated Dec 16, 2019

Las Golondrinas - Santa Fe, Panama

Santa Fe is a small, mountainous town in the middle of Panama. It is the closest town to Santa Fe National Park - Panama’s largest national park. This remote town is super small and quiet but offers access to nature like many waterfalls and stunning hikes. This is a great town that not many tourists make it to and so it feels like it’s its own jungle paradise.

The Golondrinas waterfalls are a series of three consecutive waterfalls just minutes from the town of Santa Fe. This hike is an easy (albeit muddy) way to see some gorgeous waterfalls in Santa Fe National Park.

Table of Contents

About the Trail:

Las Golondrinas is the coolest waterfall in Santa Fe. The neat part is that the waterfall is only a 20 minute hike in from the trailhead. The trail is very clear to follow and has handrails in some points. However, because of the conditions, it is very muddy and you will get wet and dirty on this trail. There are technically three waterfalls along the trail - the first is a small waterfall only a few steps from the road (pictured above). The second is a fatter, cascading waterfall (pictured below) and the third is a tall, skinny waterfall. The trail in total is 1 mile exactly and has 500 feet of elevation change. I would say the trail is rated as moderate just because of the mud, slippery sections, and river crossings.

Park Information:

ENTRANCE FEES: Access to the trail and parking lot is free, however it is first come first serve for parking. There is a small gravel turnout on the opposite side of the road as the trail entrance and parking here is free.

HOURS: There are no set hours and there are no park rangers or officials regulating entrance to the trail. Good practice says don’t be out before dawn or after dusk.

Trail Information:

The trail starts directly off the side of the road. On the right hand side is the trailhead and on the left hand side is a gravel parking lot. Only a few steps into the trail is the first waterfall. The trail continues and splits here to become a loop, although both sides are almost identical. Heading from the first waterfall to the next, the trail becomes narrow and slightly steep, stepping over many gnarled roots. The trail is also extremely muddy most times of the year. Once you reach the second waterfall, you will have to cross the river at this point. Be prepared to get your feet and legs wet. After just a bit more walking you will reach the third and final waterfall. The trail in total is 1 mile exactly and has 500 feet of elevation change.

Trail Map:

Getting There:

You can catch the Santa Fe – Guabal bus. This will take you straight past the waterfall and you can just ask the driver to drop you at Las Golondrinas. You can actually enter the trail from the right or left side of the river and both trails lead to the same waterfall. Many people choose to complete a circuit, although the trails are so close you can virtually see the other trail from across the river so don’t feel like you are missing out by choosing to go out and back. Las Golondrinas is only a 30-minute drive from Santa Fe town and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the area. If you have a car then you will take the road out of town that connects Santa Fe to the Caribbean coast. On this road, the trailhead is on the right side (visible just after a metal barrier) and on the left side is a gravel turn out for parking.