Baru visitor center | Informal Campsite

August 15th, 2022 by w.kiermasz

Nice spot next to ranger station. Nothing fancy. You just park on the side of the road. Trail closed permanently. Toilets also closed. Ranger not very helpful but could stay without problems.

March 10th, 2020 by eric_on_the_road

Stayed one night. Nice as described... Great temp and super safe. Toilets open all night and free.

May 14th, 2019 by TheMarnieHut

Stayed here one night after doing the Quetzales trail. Trail took 5 hours there and back. Not sure if this always happens but the ranger slept in the ranger station all night. Free hike and overnight.

April 11th, 2019 by Pan-American-Prevot-Tour

Perfect even with bigger rv. We have a 24’ and it was ok.

March 21st, 2019 by sativasattva

Really nice spot before the quetzales trail. Stayed here 3 nights, first night asked the guard if we could stay and he said it was no problem. He even left the bathroom unlocked the whole time. Rare traffic, beautiful views when not covered in cloud. Note this place gets very cold at night and is often in the middle of a cloud keeping everything mildly wet all day, but after the hot lowlands the cold was a welcome reprieve.

February 1st, 2019 by michaeldconnolly83

Stayed for one night after the hike. Wonderful hike super friendly people and toilets left open all night. Did not ask for any money, park by the fence on the road to get the flattest spot.

January 3rd, 2019 by Gianluca Merlo

Perfect to start next day the Quetzales trail. Park entrance will close at 12:00 a.m

June 14th, 2018 by offroad-travelers.com

Ranger station at the beginning of the trail. It’s a up and down trail through the jungle, beautiful with lots of birds, we saw lots of hummingbirds but no Quetzal on the trail. But the next morning Carlos the Ranger called us, he expected Quetzals in a tree behind the Ranger station and believe it or not he talked to them since he knows their sound and is able to imitate them. We followed him about 100m up behind the station and saw a female and a male! Had a quiet chilly night and could use the restroom during the night since the ranger let them open for you. We also camped at the end of the paved road close to the fence, this is the only even spot. Didn’t have to pay a fee and could fill up our water, you need to have a hose. It’s spring water from the mountains and very cold.

April 28th, 2018 by Famille-Lacroix

Very calm and fresh place. Nature is everywhere. We loved this place. Very steep road to access but full paved. Very nice trail.

April 2nd, 2018 by timrossie

We did not need to pay any parc entrance fee! We did a hike in the afternoon and saw 3 Quetzals!! Amazing!!
The night was very peacefull and quite and the temperatures are amazing. If you need, the Ranger Station will leave a bathroom open overnight. It might be a little tricky to find and even spot. We found one near the fence at the dead end of the street...
Be aware, that the rangers leave around 3:30pm but no problem, since the parking is open...

March 24th, 2018 by CRVingThroughCentralAmerica

We pulled up around 5pm and no one was there, but the lot is nice for posting up for a night, so we went for it. It was incredibly quiet and beautiful - so many fireflies, it felt like we were in Fern Gully. Manuel, the ranger, pulled up at 7:30am and was the nicest. He was happy we spent the night and said we were welcome to stay again. We did the hike in the am which was beautiful, and free! Awesome stay!

June 23rd, 2017 by blog.ginareist.com

overnight parking allowed
the parkranger is very friendly and helpful
on the quetzaltrail dogs allowed
one way to the mirrado about 2,5 hours, very amazing trail

March 25th, 2017 by Calderescapes

We parked here and walked to Mirador and back; six hours. Mirador Los Rocas is at 5.1 km. we heard a quetzal but did not see it. Paid $5pp entry. Mileage signs in the park are all over the place. Use maps.me.

February 26th, 2017 by onthewaysouth

This is not a visitor centre, it is a trailhead of Los Quetzales($5). It was one of the prettiest hiking trail I've ever been! I really loved it.Variety of plants, flowers and birds. We saw 3 Quetzales and had a great time!

September 16th, 2016 by reisefriedli.ch

Had to pay 3 usd to park for the night.the walk is still 5 usd pp.the mirador is about 500m after the 5km sign. We didn't saw animals, but it was a nice jungle walk

July 15th, 2016 by Rondjewereld

Well, it isn't exactly a visitor center. It's a house where the ranger collects park fees (US $ 5 per person). But we could stay for free. Ranger Carlos is a wonderful guy. Helped us with parking and left a toilet (no TP) open for us overnight. He gave us a homegrown tomato and paprika. Next morning he offered Gerry a cup of coffee. Very sweet. We intended to do the Sendero de los Quetzales hike until the Mirador (about 3,5 km). Didn't find the Mirador and turned around at 5 km. Muddy, steep in sections. Be prepared to feel your muscles the next day!

June 20th, 2016 by PHOTOtrail

The center was closed on Monday, we just boondocked in the parking lot. There is water on tap in the front of the building, but the toilets were locked up. Altitude is 1,866 meters, a substantial cool-off at night.