Cerro Azul, Panama Flora And Fauna Near The Heart Of The City
Altos de Cerro Azul is a quiet and exclusive gated mountain community in the corregimiento (district) of 24 de Diciembre, 40 kilometers north of downtown Panama City. The drive takes around 45 minutes.
Cerro Azul means “Blue Mountain,” and its name comes from its blue hue that can be seen from Panama City on a sunny day.
At 874 meters (2,867 feet) above sea level, you’ll enjoy incredible panoramas from nearly every perspective here. In the far-off distance, the bright towers of Panama City can be spotted. The air is delightfully cool and exceptionally clean, making it a perfect escape.
Getting To Cerro Azul
Altos de Cerro Azul is very accessible by car. From Panama City, you’ll drive along Vía Tocumen as if you’re going to the airport. Eventually you’ll take an overpass into the residential area of 24 de Diciembre where you’ll see shopping plazas, supermarkets, fast food restaurants, clinics, bus stops, and more.
Continue straight and you’ll see signs leading you to the bottom of Cerro Azul. If you haven’t seen a sign for a while, that means you’re close. Just before you turn to go up the hill, you’ll see a water park called FUCER (not pronounced like you’d think) on the left. Right after FUCER, you’ll see a waste management company called GESVIL, and you’ll turn left.
From here, it’s a 15-kilometer journey upwards. There are ceramic headstones on the right side of the road marked with their distance from Altos de Cerro Azul. As you pass the 1-kilometer mark, you’ll see a Catholic church on your left, followed by the hardware/grocery store COMASA. Then you’ll know you’ve arrived.
There’s usually a checkpoint near the entrance, so you may see police officers here. You’ll also see people selling fruits and vegetables from a stall next to the checkpoint. They serve refreshing fruit batidos (smoothies).
If you take the bus or metro, you’ll get off at the bus terminal in 24 de Diciembre. You’ll then take one of the small buses for a 30-minute ride up to the entrance of Altos de Cerro Azul.
There are nine neighborhoods in Altos de Cerro Azul: Alcazar, Castillo, Centinela, Fortaleza, Fortín, Frente, Guardian, Torreon, and Vigia.
About five minutes after you pass the main gate, there’s a sign listing the neighborhoods and directions to them at the entrance to the residential areas. From there you just follow the signs or ask someone you see along the way.
Cost Of Living In Cerro Azul
There aren’t any supermarkets or stores in the community aside from a small mini supermarket and construction store called COMASA at the main entrance. Here you’ll find snacks, drinks, basic toiletries, alcohol, and produce, but there isn’t much variety.
Prices are higher than in the city, but still reasonable. For example, a liter bottle of Coca Cola in the city costs about $1.55. At COMASA, the price could be $1.85.
You’ll find everything you need at the chain supermarkets at the base of the mountain in 24 de Diciembre. El Rey, Machetazo, and Super 99 are all within a 30- to 35-minute drive.
Residents have set up a business network, advertising goods and services among themselves. Once you’ve connected with them, you’ll have everything available, from free food-delivery services from restaurants and bars to vet and doctor home consultations to contacts for construction and taxi services.
They’re happy to recommend a gardener, maid, or electrician to newcomers.
Restaurant prices are affordable and range from $8 for a family sized pizza to $30 for a fancier meal.
Altos de Cerro Azul is an excellent place to start a garden. Homes here have a lot of land—you’ll have at least 1,000 square meters to work with.
If a garden sounds like too much upkeep, you could plant pots with tomatoes or green peppers.
Bananas and plantains grow easily in Panama, and they’re a great staple dish and a substitute for rice if you run out.
Growing your own produce will reduce your monthly grocery bill, and how cool would it be to have your own grocery store in your backyard?
It’s easy to reach the entrance to Altos de Cerro Azul from 24 de Diciembre using public transportation. Small buses collect passengers near the shopping centers and charge around $1.50.
Homes are generally expensive here, but sometimes you can find a bargain.
Prices range from $150,000 for simple bungalow-style houses to up to $1 million for luxury chalets.
To find the best deals you should check out local listings online (the website Encuentra 24 is a solid starting point) and visit the area in person to scout out unposted properties.
The rental market is growing in Altos de Cerro Azul and prices are affordable—a 200-square-meter home rents for about $800 to $1,000 per month, but can be negotiated as low as $750. A small, 100-square-meter house with one or two bedrooms and one bathroom can go for $500 monthly.
Here’s a sample monthly budget:
Things To Do In Cerro Azul
Hiking is one of the highlights of the area, and there are several trails that take you to beautiful rivers and waterfalls you can swim in.
The Romeo and Juliet waterfalls is a popular place to go for a swim during the dry season between December and April.
Near the entrance to the residential areas, there’s a mirador (lookout point) called Cascada de Vigia. From here you can see the very best of Altos de Cerro Azul, including beautiful waterfalls that are most breathtaking during the rainy season when they’re most powerful.
This is an excellent place to sit and meditate while listening to the rustle of the trees.
As you enter the residential areas, turn right at the signs (the one with the names of the neighborhoods), and drive downwards to the first bridge. There’s a small swimming area for all ages, including small children (under close supervision), but be wary of the currents. This area is very popular among families during the dry season and can get crowded.
On the other side (the right side), the swimming hole is steeper, and only the bravest dare to swim here. This area isn’t for small children as they won’t be able to stand.
This is a paradise for bird lovers. Imagine waking up to the overlapping chirping songs of a plethora of species singing different tunes…
You can also get a rare glimpse of the famous mono titi, small monkeys with a white patch in the middle of their foreheads. I was fortunate to see a family of them from a distance.
If you’re lucky, you’ll hear howler monkeys in the distance. Some residents have reported sightings of small groups.
If you have kids, another activity that might pique your interest is Scouts Panama. This is a reputable organization for kids between 10 and 16 years old, where they learn the importance of nature preservation.
There is also a community recycling initiative, supported by the Ministry of the Environment to reduce the amount of garbage in the area and to create more awareness in the community.
If you’re thinking of staying at a hotel or hostel to scout the area, there are several to choose from. Hacienda Mi Montañita is a cozy, family oriented, low-key hostel with great views where you can kick up your feet and relax.
Other top choices include La Semilla Ecolodge, Mandalas Ecolodge, and Cabaña Mi Princesita.
There are several bars and restaurants in Altos de Cerro Azul, and having a few drinks with friends and neighbors is the norm on the weekends. Hacienda Mi Montañita has a popular restaurant, and La Cocina de Ida offers a selection of local delicacies.
Some places have karaoke a couple times a month and handcraft beer tasting nights from time to time.
Hop on over to Casa de Lago on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for their weekly market. You can showcase your business and products, or just browse. All types of goods are on display such as handcrafts, creative foods from small restaurants, fresh produce, and more.
About 2 kilometers before the entrance to Altos de Cerro Azul, there’s a small zoo called Finca Conejo Pintado where you can spend the day learning about small wildlife like ducks and sloths.
Retire In Cerro Azul
Altos de Cerro Azul is home to a large expat community hailing from Canada, the States, Europe, and Latin American countries. Many live here to get away from the noise of the city and to be in touch with nature.
Some expats are retired, but have reinvented themselves as independent, small-scale businessmen and women. Though the area is quiet, expats and Panamanians get together at local restaurants for karaoke, to catch up on gossip, or to try a new flavor of craft beer.
Altos de Cerro Azul is an ideal place to live if you enjoy nature, beautiful scenery, and peace and quiet. If you don’t mind driving 30 minutes to get your needs and wants met, this community should be at the top of your list.
Health Care In Cerro Azul
Panama has some of the best health care in Latin America, and it’s always important to be close to a health care facility if something goes wrong.
There’s a centro de salud (public health center run by the Ministry of Health) about 3 kilometers from the entrance to Altos de Cerro Azul.
In 24 de Diciembre and La Doña (about 30 minutes down the mountain), you’ll find several private clinics offering a range of specialties.
Hospital Irma de Lourdes Tzanetatos is one of the newest public hospitals in Panama, equipped with the latest technology. If it isn’t an emergency, you can take the metro and get off at the Hospital del Este station to cut down on travel time and avoid traffic.
If you have more time, your best options for health care in Panama City are Hospital Punta Pacífica, Hospital Paitilla, and the Panama Clinic, all found in the corregimiento of San Francisco. You’ll be driving for about an hour, but you’re guaranteed world-class health care at these facilities, which are some of the best in Latin America.
Safety In Cerro Azul
Generally, Cerro Azul is very safe. There’s a police station at the entrance to the community and guards are always available and can be called if needed.
Home thefts do occasionally occur and while annoying, they’re nonviolent and take place when nobody is home. You can keep your home safe by always keeping the doors and windows locked, and by not flaunting anything valuable.
Weather In Cerro Azul
It rains throughout the year in Cerro Azul, with the most rainfall between September and November, which replenishes the Chagres National Park area where Cerro Azul is located. The agreeable temperatures between 61 F (16 C) and 83 F (28 C) attract visitors trying to escape the heat and humidity of the city, as well as expats and locals looking for a cooler place to live.
The Best Neighborhood In Cerro Azul, Panama For Expats
Living in a remote area 45 minutes from Panama City has never looked this appealing. Situated in the rainy Chagres National Park region, you’ll find luscious greenery, fascinating wildlife, and exotic birds in an exclusive gated community called Altos de Cerro Azul.
With temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 28ºC (83ºF) and “a peace that passeth all understanding,” this is an ideal place to live, offering you the chance to disconnect and relax while still having the excitement of city life nearby.
Altos de Cerro Azul is in the 24 de Diciembre municipality, so you’ll commute along the Vía Tocumen highway.
Once in 24 de Diciembre, you’ll veer left and when you see the Fucer water park, the next turn on the left is the road to Cerro Azul. As you make your way up the mountain, you’ll see stones marked with the remaining distance to the right.
When you get to the 1-kilometer mark, the entrance will be after the hardware store COMASA on the left. When I visited this area 12 years ago, there were mostly plots of land being sold and few houses. So when I was invited by friends to visit recently, I was stunned by how much the area has been developed. Enviable homes and gorgeous landscaping on each property caught my attention.
What I most enjoyed were the restaurants, which serve a variety of foods. Hacienda Mi Montañita has spectacular views and is a nice place to stay if you want to scout out the area. There are many other options for accommodation as well.
Once you become an owner, you’ll have access to other amenities in the area. Residents have created a network of businesspeople who offer a range of
services from plumbing and electrical to medical and veterinary.
There’s a police station at the entrance to Altos de Cerro Azul if security is one of your concerns. The guards are always available and can be called if needed.
For medical care, you can either send a message to your neighbors to find out if there’s a doctor in the area or go to the nearest health center that’s about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the entrance.
The area offers a wide range of activities for the adventurer with lots of hiking trails to explore and rivers and waterfalls to dip in afterwards. Las Cascadas de Romeo y Julieta are the most famous waterfalls in the area, but there are plenty of others that you can visit, too.
On Saturdays, the community opens up their mercadito at the Casa del Lago where small businessowners showcase their products for sale and entertain future business investors.
There’s also a small mini supermarket where you can buy fruits and vegetables.
After browsing the market, you can enjoy views of the lake and ducks while sipping on juice or your favorite drink from the always-present food trucks.
Other entertainment options for adults include yoga events and professional and personal development talks. There are also activities for children.
Altos de Cerro Azul is a family oriented community, and hikes and picnics are occasionally planned for people of all ages. They usually happen on early Sunday mornings so attendees can watch the sun rise over the pristine mountains.
If you’re interested in volunteering, you can sign up for other group activities such as Scouts Panama, which focuses on the preservation and prosperity of the Chagres National Park region. They also work towards creating a circular economy among community members.
The real estate market in Cerro Azul is growing. Those moving to Cerro Azul want a break from city life and a place to roam free.
Prices range from US$70,000 for simple bungalow-style houses to up to US$800,000 for luxury chalets.
To find the best deals in Panama you should check out local listings online (the website Encuentra 24 is a solid starting point) and visit the area in person to scout out unposted properties. Now is the best time to buy property in Cerro Azul as it’s still selling below market price.
Altos de Cerro Azul is an ideal place for expats looking for peace and tranquility in a family friendly setting close to the city. The air is clean and the weather, though rainier because of its location in the rain forest, is crisp and refreshingly cool.
There are so many housing options that it might be difficult to make up your mind. One thing is certain—it’s a prime area for investment, so don’t get left behind.
