sitio barriles museum

The displays are unimpressive and to me it was not clear that they were the real deal. The most impressive was the nature walk along the stream. If the stream were present in the prehistoric past, it would have been an inviting site to live in.

Sitio Barriles is a major archeological repository of a now extinct native culture, the site was discovered in the early 20th century but was subsequently extensively plundered with the majority of the artifacts ending in Panama City museums or private collections.Mr. Landau the property owner where most of the site now falls, has done an excellent job in preserving the current site remaining artifacts and setting up property tours where the dig sites can be seen, beautifully landscaped gardens where native trees have been replanted to resemble the original landscape of virgin forest.Although not an official state site, the property is under regulation by the Panama National Heritage Board and frequently hosts digs by the National University of Chiriqui. For 3 dollars each the tours of the site are well worth it. The presentation is in Spanish so make sure you take a Spanish speaking friend along, in case you don't have one pick the 4 dollar tour per car where you can wander the site by yourself and take pics.

If you are in the area, drop in to see this museum. First, though, you need to get your image of a typical "museum" out of your head or you may be disappointed. This is a family-run historical site on their own property. From what I understand, the first artifact was discovered by the family in the roots of a huge tree when it blew over. Subsequently, they did a lot of digging and found numerous other artifacts and burial grounds. Very fascinating!

I do not know much about archaeological sites in Panama, but having been to many worldwide I can say that this one is below average.

My husband and I and two friends from the US visited this museum today. My husband and I have been here before at least three other times over the past seven years. Every time we come back Edna has made improvements on the property and has new information to share. It is such a pleasure to have the opportunity to visit this unique site in Panama and we always enjoy bringing our guests here. Edna does a great job of taking you on an historical tour of the area. I highly recommend this tour for a slice of Panama history that you won't find anywhere else in Panama.

Edna, is caring for an amazing piece of history about times long since past. How did the ancients discover lodestones without iron for it to attract? We consider this a place to take guests who want more than a gawk and go experience. Amazing that two cultures could co-exist without conflict so long ago. Go visit and see what I mean.

I went to Sitio Barriles Museum with two other people (one native Spanish speaker and one good Spanish speaker). I speak very little Spanish and would have been completely lost if they were not with me! The tour mainly consisted of walking through the Barilles grounds looking at the tropical plants on the property. It was quite interesting, especially since many of them have medicinal properties. The musuem itself was very tiny as it turns out that most of the larger/quality pieces are in a museum in Panama City. It was interesting to see the original excavation site though. At the end we were served delicious homemade cheese and jam with crackers and ended up buying some to take back to the hotel. Overall, a pretty good experience.

My husband and I stopped here while son our way to Boquete after our driver strongly recommended it. We're both very interested in American Indian history and artifacts in The States so we agreed. The assortment of artifacts on this property is amazing and our guide, Edna, was extremely knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. We took over 100 photos and not a day goes by now that one of us doesn't mention this place. Edna has plans to build a visitor's center and to make bigger strides to get the word out about this gem. Please stop; you'll be glad you did. Bring water and wear long pants and hiking boots. Expect to spend at least 2 hours there to get the full experience which shouldn't be rushed. Edna only charges $4 per person I think and she should be charging more! It's a good price for families but she deserves more! We donated much more to her efforts because we just didn't feel her low fee was fair.

I mean, you are not going to find a Machu Pichu here in panama, but for some of panamas historical treasures, this might be one of your best options. The tour guide was very informative and you make a donation upon completion. You move along at your own pace and can basically have your tour to yourself if you are the only one there at the moment. Homemade marmalade, healing rocks, and more history then could be remembered. Well worth a visit.

There seems to be great history to be learned here. The caretakers were very passionate about the property and its richness. Worth making a decent donation. I do not think this place gets as many visitors as it deserves.

This is an exceptional site. The artifacts are on site, and many are in situ. 5,000 years of habitation. Surprisingly, there is strong evidence African and Asian cultures lived side by side in perfect harmony during some of the time the site was occupied. The guide, whose American grandfather bought the land for coffee farming long ago, is well educated and exceptionally knowledgeable. This was the highlight of my entire trip to Panama! I LOVED this place.

Sadly the best parts of Sitio Barriles are in the National Museum in Panama City. Fortunately, I have seen the great and mysterious treasures that came from Barriles. Hopefully the government will one day return theseamazing statues back to Barriles where they belong, and then this museum will be an even more amazing place to vist and experience.

This is a great attraction that is run by a family who has been on the finca for generations. Don't miss this!

I was there in 2008, not 2012. I have a background in anthropology with just a bit of archeology, but I was impressed with the care the private owners had taken to not just "dig things up." It appeared that the excavations had been conducted in a professional manner.

Recently, and finally, found the time to venture to Sitio Barriles. The owner Edna, who speaks English, gave us a wonderful tour of her home. Yes there is an archeological site here but this is so much more. There are native plants, volcanic rock used in healing and even healing waters in her natural hot springs. Bring a bottle to fill with water so that long after you are gone from here you can still taste fresh mountain spring water. We were treated to Edna playing a 1000 year old whistle that had been excavated when the Smithsonian Institute came here years ago to dig. Items on her property date back to the time of Christ. Edna also, for a small fee, sells her homemade guava jam, her homemade cheese and her lemon preserves. Hint: eat the jam with the cheese by the spoon, heaven!Since we are locals (we live in Boquete) she also gave us cuttings for our garden of her citronella plant and leaves from a local plant that is used in making a tea which helps with digestive issues (I'm trying to be delicate here in what I say). :)Well worth the lovely drive and the visit. Expect to spend 3 hours here seeing it all. She will let you take as many pictures as you want but be careful, she does have snakes and tarantula's on her property. Wear hiking shoes. Going up and down her property and walking on old tires she has down to help people go up and down hill is still not easy and can be slippery. There is no handicapp access to this tour. Bring your own toilet paper and handiwipes if you need a bathroom since neither is provided on the site. But at least the toilet has a seat!