Los Cangilones de Gualaca (446 km)

Los Cangilones de Gualaca is one of the best natural swimming bath in the province of Chiriquí and major tourist attraction Gualaca district. It is a pretty swimming bath visited by both Panamanians and foreigners due to its easy access, for its beautiful scenery and of course for its refreshing waters. Los Cangilones de Gualaca is a natural swimming pool, a rock formation that was created by the river Estí in the form of a narrow channel and a large natural pool.

On a sunny hot day there is nothing better than jumping from the rock into the river and drift along the rocky canyon to the pool at the end. And if you are cold after swimming you can lie down on the hot rock and receive its heat.

There are no tourist facilities in this place, only bathrooms. But the village is quite close and here you can find everything you need. There are several places where you can get some food BBB (bueno – good, bonito – pretty, barato – cheap) or you can bring drinks and snacks with you if you are incidentally lazy to walk to town.

Its name was due to the rock formations in the form of a vessel or pot created for thousands of years by the Esti river which you can find in this place. (Spanish language dictionary: cangilón = bucket – a deep, cylindrical vessel, usually of metal, plastic, or wood, with a flat bottom and a semicircular bail, for collecting, carrying, or holding water, sand, fruit, etc.)

Como Llegar

To visit Gualaca from Panama City take American Highway until you reach Chiriquí (426 km). Here turn to the right to follow the road to Bocas. Once on the road Chiriquí - Bocas go straight as far as you rich Gualaca (426 km) and drive throw the village. Here just after Brancy Randolph stadium turn left and continue about one kilometer more along the small paved road till you rich the small parking place. There you leave the car. Here just step down short stairs and you can see the clear waters of the Estí river. If you want go by bus the best way is go first to the David. There are frequent buses to Gualaca from David. Ask the bus driver about the Cangilones and he can let you out at the right intersection. From there, it's about a kilometer walk to the Cangilones. The way is easy just follow the kids with towels. The drop off point is only 2 or 3 blocks from the main square in Gualaca, so you could get off there and ask around.