Bayano Lake, reservoir in Panama

Bayano Lake is a reservoir in the eastern part of Panamá Province, Panama, created when the Bayano River was dammed in 1976. It is the second largest lake in Panama by surface area, exceeded only by Lake Gatun. The Bayano Caves lie on the south side of the lake.

The Bayano River was dammed in 1976, creating the reservoir and making it Panama's second largest lake by surface area after Lake Gatun. The lake and river carry the name of Bayano, leader of the largest slave revolt in 16th-century Panama.

The lake sits in an area home to Guna and Emberá communities whose history is tied to the dam's construction. Local people use the water daily for their livelihood, and you often see small boats moving across the surface in the early morning.

The drive from Panama City takes about an hour and a half through countryside roads to a quiet boat launch. From there you board a wooden boat to reach the caves, so wear water-friendly shoes and bring a waterproof bag for your belongings and extra water.

The main cave called Río Seco extends for about 2 kilometers underground and holds a large bat colony hanging from the ceiling. When water levels are low you wade over slick rocks, but during high water you can travel part of the way by boat deep inside the cave.