Pedasi: Conservation Hike at Refugio Pablo Barrios｜Panama

The conservation hike at Refugio Pablo Barrios is guided by an expert in the region. This sightseeing tour in Pedasí starts very early, as you need to arrive at Playa Arenal at 5 or 6 AM. Playa Arenal is the departure point for the boats to Isla Iguana. You will have the opportunity to witness the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean while walking about 5 kilometers along the soft sandy beach, accompanied by your tour guide.

The Pablo Barrios Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary declared a protected area by the National Environmental Authority of Panama in 2009. This area is located opposite the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge, which was founded in 1981. Its name pays tribute to Pablo Arturo Barrios, a passionate environmentalist from Pedasí who dedicated his life to the preservation of the natural biodiversity of Los Santos.

This refuge covers 15,026 hectares that are home to diverse marine and coastal ecosystems. During the conservation walk at the Pablo Barrios Refuge, you'll be able to admire dunes, albinas, estuaries, and mangroves. The tour guides who will accompany you have been trained by Pro Eco Azuero, a local conservation group. The goal is to raise awareness about the refuge while generating sustainable income.

The Pablo Barrios Refuge is home to the Azuero spider monkey, which is critically endangered. In addition, turtles nest in this area and are monitored by Tortugas Pedasí, and the wetlands are Ramsar-certified as they are home to numerous species of waterfowl.