The wonders of Sitio Barriles

Visitors hear about the spectacular
Traveler’s Palm.

El Sitio Barriles in Volcan, in the Chiriqui highlands, has been much publicized for its rock carvings, bearing witness to the ancient tribes which inhabited the area, but the site also offers a fascinating horticultural tour.

Edna Houx, takes visitors round the property that her grandfather settled when he emigrated to Panama from Caleta, California in 1924. She shows many wonders, like red bananas, giant heliconias, bamboos which grow 3" per day and explains about the Traveler’s Palm whose phalanx of huge leaves always grow north to south.

There are other wonders at Sitio Barriles like the magnetic rock which makes a compass go wild and the small tremors which occur every day from the depths of the earth below the dormant (we hope) Volcano Barú which towers over the site.

There is even, says Edna, a stream which flows uphill. No, she is serious and claims this has been verified by scientists. She shows you the stream which apparently, some kilometers away, flows into a river ten meters higher.

The tour includes an interesting little museum showing artifacts indicating that the site was inhabited by different cultures, including the Mayan who came in warlike mode destroying much of what was there before. This is the only place in Panama showing evidence of Mayan culture.

And of course, the petroglyphs –the carvings into mighty rocks which have been interpreted by experts –are the highlight of the tour.

Contact Edna Houx at 65751828 or José Landau 6607-5438.

Las Olas Resort, Chiriquí

Down from the cool mountains to a sun-drenched Pacific beach

By David Dell

Living in the cool, fresh air of Panama’s Chiriqui mountains doesn’t mean you have to forgo the joys of spending a day on a beautiful sun-drenched Pacific beach. Las Olas beach resort and hotel is within an hour’s drive from both Volcan and Boquete.

My wife, Lydia, and I quite often take the drive to the coast and spend either a day or a few nights at the Las Olas Resort hotel. The hotel offers an all inclusive package for less than $60 per day, per person.

Las Olas is Panama’s most laid-back all–inclusive. At this Pacific beachfront resort you will not be assailed by hordes of other holidaymakers. If you take you mini-vacation early in the week, you can enjoy the fresh sea breezes and watch the pounding surf in relative peace and tranquility–just as nature ordered.

La Abigail restaurant.
The culinary high point of Las Olas is the La Abigail restaurant. Here you can enjoy true haute-cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With the recent addition of chef Luis Rivas from El Salvador, the first -quality presentations, particularly for dinner, have got even better. Once in a while, my wife and I enjoy splurging on good food in great surroundings. Don’t get me wrong, we have nice restaurants in Volcan, but nothing comes close to the Abigail. The waitress will generously keep topping off your wine glass so that by evening’s end, with good food and a sinful desert inside, you are ready for a good-night stroll on the beach. If you can time your getaway for the night of a full moon, then your time at Las Olas will be a memory you will cherish for a lifetime.

Pounding surf and pounded surfers.
Throughout the year Las Olas is the venue for several large and small surf competitions. Recently I watched the Reef, Latin Crown competition. To be honest La Barqueta beach is not Panama’s answer to surf city. I spoke to one of the competitors, 22-year-old Gustavo Ho from Panama City. He said Santa Catalina was Panama’s best as it had perfect right-curling waves. At Barqueta the waves are big enough –12 to 15 feet on average, and they do curl from the right. The problem is that they simultaneously also curl from the left. Our surfers have about 4 or 5 seconds before the two curls collide and pound last night’s Margaritas from the unfortunate swimmer.

Las Olas has two great swimming and soaking pools so guests don’t have to risk life and limb in the ocean. Also, you can order snacks and drinks throughout the day; that is the beauty of all-inclusive. Just order, eat and drink all you want and it’s just one reasonable price.

“As close to heaven as I want to get”.

Las Olas is 20 minutes south of David or about an hour’s drive from both Boquete and Volcan. Life in the mountains is wonderful, but occasionally you have to indulge yourself in Panama’s Pacific pleasure. Sitting on the covered patio of the Abigail restaurant, sea breeze blowing in my hair, a cup of excellent breakfast coffee in my hand, this is a close to heaven as I want get at the moment.

Kayaking and horse riding.
If you are a bit more adventurous, you can go either horseback riding or try my preferred escape –kayaking. Las Olas has a river that curves right around the back of the hotel, and is part of a large nature reserve. Here you can gently paddle amongst the mangroves and palm trees and watch pristine, white herons as they swoop and dive for fish. Las Olas also offers fully professional, deep sea sport fishing. The islands off the coast are perfect for marlin, sailfish, wahoo and tuna. If time permits you can end your day with a swim in the sheltered bays of the Paredes islands. These beautiful bleak and wind-swept desert islands are a tonic for the soul.

Las Olas on Youtube.
For a brief look at Panama’s little Hawaii, go to
– www.yourpanama.com/beachfront-resort-living.html – and click on the link for a short video presentation.