Panama is a world-class destination for bird watching!
Over one third of Panama’s territory is protected by National Parks and other reserves, providing habitat to some of the most sought after species including the Resplendent Quetzal, the Three-wattled Bellbird, Sapayoa, Brown-backed Dove, Great-green Macaw, Black-tipped Cotinga, and the endemic Coiba Spinetail.The millions of shorebirds and seabirds that flock to the bay of Panama are another unforgettable source of awe whether you are an avid birder or not.
As a meeting point for the faunas of North and South America, Panama has an extraordinary wealth of birds for its size.
Day 1
Duration: 25 minutes approximately
In Central America, Panamá stands as the most cosmopolitan city and the only capital on the seashore. Its tropical climate is characterized by high temperatures ranging between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
The city offers a variety of choices for all tastes, combining impressive, modern infrastructure with some treasures of distant times such as the Old Quarter – a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Lodging at Global Hotel
Global Hotel is located 4.2 miles from Tocumen International Airport (PTY), 2.4 miles from Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC), and conveniently close to many other attractions such as the Panama Canal Railway, Albrook Mall, Miraflores Locks visitor center, two golf courses, and the Balboa Yatch Club – where it is possible to rent boats for a great day of fishing.
The hotel’s restaurants include Bridge View Restaurant for stunning international cuisine with equally impressive views of the Bridge of the Americas, TGI Fridays SM Restaurant for classic American favorites served in a fun and exciting atmosphere, and Café 1914 for a delicious cup of coffee and exquisite pastries.
Day 2
This tours combines the possibilty to discover the amazing variety of wildlife hiding in the forest of Panama City with the impressive infraestructure of its canal.
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is located on the famous Pipeline Road, one of the most renowned places in the world for bird watching. In fact, here was established a record number for a bird count organized in 1985 by the Audubon Society, when 385 species were identified in 24 hours.
The tour begins in the visitor’s center, where it’s possible to observe up to 13 different species of hummingbirds while they approach to the feeders located in the terrace. Then, taking a small trail of about 200 meters you will get to the observation tower. This tower has 100 feet height and to go up to the highest point you will need to climb a spiral staircase of 174 steps, with observation platforms every 25 feet until the terrace which exceeds the forest canopy.
After lunch, you will visit the Panama Canal; specifically the Miraflores Locks visitor’s center – with its three different main attractions: The Museum, the movie, and the lookout point.
In the Museum you will be able to view documents, instruments and pictures related with the construction and operation of the Canal; the movie is a short film that summarizes the 100 years of history of the Canal; and from the lookout point, it is possible to observe ships maneuvering through the chambers.
Lodging at Canopy Tower, dinner included
Canopy Tower is located in impressive rainforest atop Semaphore Hill within Soberanía National Park, 35 miles north of Panama City.
The structure was built in 1965 by the United States Air Force to house a powerful radar used in the defense of the Panama Canal, and in August of 1997, the government of Panama signed a long-term contract with Raul Arias de Para to transform the site into a center for neotropical-rainforest observation and ecotourism.
Canopy Tower is a prime location from which to observe the birds and other wildlife of the forest canopy. Because the birds and mammals are at eye level, it is common to get fantastic views otherwise nearly impossible from the ground. The dining area and the roof of the tower are better for finding elusive canopy birds, as well as Mantled Howlers, Geoffroy’s Tamarins and other mammals and birds.
Besides, the hotel boasts specialized services such as the observation deck located 50 feet above the ground, giving guests a grand view of the canopy and beyond; and the birding vehicles, used to transport birders to the briding spots around the property.
Day 3
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is located on the famous Pipeline Road, one of the most renowned places in the world for bird watching. In fact, here was established a record number for a bird count organized in 1985 by the Audubon Society, when 385 species were identified in 24 hours.
The tour begins in the visitor’s center, where it’s possible to observe up to 13 different species of hummingbirds while they approach to the feeders located in the terrace.
Then, taking a small trail of about 200 meters you will get to the observation tower. This tower has 100 feet height and to go up to the highest point you will need to climb a spiral staircase of 174 steps, with observation platforms every 25 feet until the terrace which exceeds the forest canopy.
Additionally, there is a circuit of 1.1 kilometers of trails through the forest, with a difficulty from mild to moderate.
Lodging at Canopy Tower
Day 4
Achiote Road is considered one of the world’s best birding spots. You’ll be looking for those Caribbean birds that are not possible to find anywhere else in central Panama. Some of the bird species that you can find in this area are: Pied Puffbird, Sabana Hawk, Red-breasted blackbird, White-headed wren, Blue Cotinga, Pacific antwren, Bared-crowned antbird and Spot-crowned Barbet.
Lodging at Canopy Tower
Day 5
Duration: 50 minutes approximately
Duration: 45 minutes approximately
Boquete is a small, charming town in the province of Chiriqui – located in a valley surrounded by towering elevations of the Central Cordillera, and with a huge abundance of natural resources including mountains covered by primary and secondary forests, an important and very diverse fauna, clear streams and rushing rivers, a majestic volcano, national parks and forest reserves.
Lodging at Finca Lerida Coffee Estate & Boutique Hotel
Finca Lerida Coffee Estate & Boutique Hotel is located within a coffee plantation on the slopes of the Baru Volcano, making it a perfect destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers due to the climate conditions of the region.
The property is just 10 minutes from Boquete downtown, and approximately 45 minutes from David’s airstrip.
The hotel boasts 23 guestrooms divided in 4 standard rooms with Scandinavian décor, 11 deluxe rooms with private terrace, 6 suites with indoor chimney, and the “Casa Centenario” – an historic suite built back in 1908.
The international restaurant of the hotel is “La Brulerie” and offers a traditional menu incorporating fresh ingredients and savory seasonings into fine cuisine.
Besides, a small, cozy coffee shop where it’s possible to taste a delicious cup of coffee from the plantation that has been exporting product since 1929 to the most demanding specialty coffee markets around the world.
Day 6
Los Quetzales birdwatching trail goes through the Baru Volcano National Park, and connects the towns of Cerro Punta and Boquete. The entire trail is 10 km long and lasts approximately from 4 to 6 hours; passing from tropical rainforest to tropical cloud forest.
The path goes at an altitude of 6000 ft., on a ridge with amazing views, and full of ancient trees; as well as a numerous variety of bird species including Prong-billed Barbet, Wrenthrush, White-naped Brush-Finch, Large-footed Finch, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher, and The Resplendent Quetzal.
The resplendent quetzal is considered among the world’s most beautiful birds, and lives in the mountainous, tropical forests of Central America. The most spectacular feature of this specie is the greatly elongated, glistening emerald-green tail feathers of breeding males.
Lodging at Finca Lerida Coffee Estate & Boutique Hotel
Day 7
Duration: 45 minutes approximately
Duration: 50 minutes approximately
Lodging at Global Hotel
Day 8
Duration: 25 minutes approximately
You must be at the airport 2 hours prior the flight time.
