Sitio Barriles


The pre-Columbian ruins at this site 6km west of Volcán along the Río Gariche date from between AD 300 and 900, when the settlement had as many as 1000 residents. The site is on the private Finca Campestre; the owners have a variety of artifacts on display in their yard and in a small, underwhelming museum. Not all of the artifacts were found on site. Guided tours of the collection and gardens are in both Spanish and English.

Barriles is named after several small stone 'barrels' found in the area. It is one of the few archaeological sites accessible to the public in Panama.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

2. Arte Cruz

4.9 MILES

On the west side of Hwy 41, some 3.5km south of Volcán, you’ll spot this workshop where master carver and artist José de la Cruz González makes and sells…

3. Finca Dracula

10.56 MILES

This orchid sanctuary, 500m from the center beyond the landmark Los Quetzales Ecolodge & Spa, is one of Latin America’s finest orchid collections, with…

4. Parque Nacional Volcán Barú

13.56 MILES

Volcán Barú is Panama's only volcano and the dominant geographical feature of western Panama. It is no longer active but has seven craters and its summit,…

6. El Explorador

18.33 MILES

Great for families, this private garden is located in a hilly area 3km northeast of the town center. You can walk to it in about 45 minutes. The 2…

7. Wilson Botanical Garden

18.38 MILES

The world-class Wilson Botanical Garden is internationally known for its collection of more than 2000 native Costa Rican species. Species threatened with…

8. Finca Cántaros

18.47 MILES

About 3km south of San Vito, Finca Cántaros is a recreation center and reforestation project. Over 7 hectares of grounds – formerly coffee plantations and…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "panama/volcan/attractions/sitio-barriles/a/poi-sig/1332639/1328825",
      "position": "superzone"
    }