Central and South America

Panama | Birding Central Panama and the Darién Lowlands

Activity Level:
STRENUOUS
Duration:
11 Days
Price:
From $3,495
Interests:
Birding
Organize This Trip Print Itinerary
Red-capped Manakin
Harpy Eagle
Spot-breasted Woodpecker
Casco Viejo
Geoffroy's Tamarin
Darién Province
Black-chested Jay
Spectacled Owl
Red-lored Parrot
Organize This Trip
Organize This Trip

About this trip

Panama boasts the highest diversity of bird species in Central America, so the country’s advantageous location at the convergence of two continents makes it the prime respite for migratory birds from both North and South America. Embark on an unforgettable 11-day birding journey across several fascinating regions of Panama, including the country’s easternmost province of Darién. Visit well-known birding trails, tropical rainforests, wetlands, mudflats, and much more. Enjoy the chance to explore not only noteworthy public and private reserves, but also witness the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks in action, and learn about Panama’s role as an international trade center and its many historical sites.

Highlights

  • Discover two of Panama City’s stunning natural areas, the Metropolitan Natural Park and the Panama Bay Mudflats, for encounters with fascinating wildlife, especially shorebirds.
  • Venture into the Darién Province’s many birding hotspots, including the San Francisco Reserve, Chucunaque River, and a community that is home to a Harpy Eagle nest to see some of the country’s hundreds of bird species like the Harpy Eagle, Crimson-bellied Woodpecker, Black Oropendola, and Red-throated Caracara.
  • Meet members of the Indigenous Wounaan community and learn about their traditions, culture, and botanical knowledge.
  • Hike the world-famous Pipeline Road, where target species include Black Hawk-Eagle, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Masked Tityra, the coveted Blue Cotinga, and hundreds of others.
  • Explore Soberanía National Park, one of the country's most accessible tropical rainforests and home to an impressive list of 525 bird species.

Activity Level 4: MODERATE-STRENUOUS

Participants should be able to ascend or descend 80 stairs consecutively, plus walk for at least 4 hours over some steep slopes, uneven, and potentially slippery surfaces without difficulty. Physical activities typically last for 4 or more hours at a time.

9 Travelers

$3,495

Land Cost

Group size

Book 8 travelers and 1 group
leader travels for free

What makes us different

Rich content

All of our programs include experiences that are enriching and engaging to facilitate a genuine connection between our travelers and their destinations

Custom-tailored trips

At no additional cost, you can customize any itinerary to better suit your needs or build a brand new trip from scratch

Wildlife up-close

Enjoy up-close observation of the behaviors and interactions of wildlife in their native habitats

Service anytime

Enjoy worry-free travel — our emergency line is monitored 24/7/365 so we can assist you if any problems arise while you’re traveling with us

Top birding guides

Our in-country birding guides are experts in bird identification and behavior, providing rewarding experiences for everyone from novice birders to ornithologists

Unique Itineraries

Our unique birding itineraries are designed to help strengthen and support tourism in bird hot-spots and support conservation and local economic development.

AND MORE!

See all the reasons why you should travel with Holbrook

What makes us different

Daily Itinerary

Print Itinerary
Panama City
Day 1
Upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport, meet your guide and travel to the hotel. Join your guide for a welcome orientation in the hotel conference room followed by dinner. Check-in starts at 3 pm.
Dinner included
Hotel Crowne Plaza
Panama City
Day 2
Start the day exploring a tropical dry forest in the center of Panama City, the Metropolitan Natural Park. Perhaps the only forest reserve within a major capital city in Latin America, it boasts a rich variety of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles; it also affords visitors the chance to see Geoffroy's Tamarin. Take a walk to an overlook for a sweeping perspective of Panama City. Enjoy lunch at El Trapiche, a restaurant in the neighborhood of San Francisco. Then, visit the mudflats in Costa del Este, an area part of the Panama Bay expansion that boasts critical mangrove forests. The Panama Bay Mudflats are a designated wetland of international importance or Ramsar site, as well as a site of hemispheric importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN). The Bay of Panama is an important wintering habitat to thousands of shorebirds including Western Sandpiper, Semipalmated and Black-bellied Plovers, Willet, Whimbrel, and Short-billed Dowitcher. Have dinner al fresco in the Albrook area.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Crowne Plaza
Torti
Day 3
Today, check out from the hotel and depart Panama City toward the East of the country to visit the stunning mountains of Cerro Azul, nestled on the border of Chagres National Park. Enjoy a boxed breakfast en route. Journey through a coniferous forest with altitudes ranging from 262 to 1,180 feet above sea level. This region is home to diverse flora and fauna, including 225 bird species. Keep an eye out for the endemic Violet-capped Hummingbird and the regional endemic Speckled Tanager. Other possible sightings include the Rufous-winged Tanager, Blue Cotinga, and the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker. Have some lunch before visiting Bayano Lake, Panama's second largest body of water and a renowned birding hotspot. Arrive at Hotel Portal Avicar and check in before enjoying dinner and overnight.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Portal Avicar
Torti
Day 4
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before embarking on the journey to San Francisco Reserve. This natural reserve boasts a remarkable bird list of more than 400 species. Spread across more than 700 acres, San Francisco offers visitors breathtaking landscapes, from expansive plains to seemingly endless lines of trees, and elevations of more than 950 feet above sea level. Keep alert for potential sightings of the regional endemic Crimson-bellied Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Rufous-margined Antwren, White-eared Conebill, Bare-crowned Antbird, and Black Antshrike. Have lunch at a local spot before enjoying more birding time along the Tortí River. After dinner this evening, there is a chance to go on an optional night excursion in search of owls.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Portal Avicar
Meteti
Day 5
Today, depart Tortí and head to Boca de Lara to enjoy a unique opportunity to visit a Wounaan village and learn about the rich culture of this nomadic Indigenous community from the Darién Province. Gain insight into their profound connection with nature and botanical knowledge and enjoy a traditional Wounaan meal, consisting of elements like fish, plantains, and fruits. Later, venture into the trails off Metetí Road for an unforgettable birding experience, where visitors have the chance to spot Purple-crowned Fairy, White Hawk, White-tailed Trogon, and Cinnamon Becard. Head to Hotel Bellagio Metetí for overnight.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Bellagio Meteti
Meteti
Day 6
Explore a private farm along the Chucunaque River, where there are excellent birding opportunities, as well as a chance to learn about the region's conservation efforts dedicated to rescuing Jaguars. The largest population of jaguars in Panama inhabits this area of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which connects high biodiversity regions of Central and South America. Keep an eye out for Crane Hawk, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Pied Puffbird, Pied Water-Tyrant, Orange-crowned Oriole, and Wattled Jacana. Enjoy lunch at the farm, and then return to the hotel to rest up for tomorrow's activities. Have an early dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Bellagio Meteti
Meteti
Day 7
Begin the day very early by embarking on a boat ride to visit a community that is home to a Harpy Eagle nest. Cruise through scenic waterways with a boxed breakfast before setting out on a hike to reach the Harpy Eagle nest viewing site. Each year, a different nest might become accessible for viewing, so the journey can include hiking, horseback riding, or riding on an all-terrain vehicle. The hike may also involve muddy and/or uneven terrain in hot and humid conditions. It may take patience and good luck to see the Harpy Eagles, especially if they are away from the nest hunting, but the area provides plenty of opportunities for wildlife observation. Some of the other bird species that inhabit the area are the Red-throated Caracara, Golden-headed Manakin, and Cinnamon Becard.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Bellagio Meteti
Gamboa
Day 8
Have some breakfast, and then visit the hydrological and natural reserve of Filo del Tallo. This reserve protects a critical natural area in the Darién Province from threats of deforestation and degradation and is a haven for bird enthusiasts, offering sightings of diverse species such as the Pied Puffbird, Crimson-backed Tanager, and Brown-hooded Parrot. After a morning of birding and some lunch, travel from Metetí to Gamboa. The journey includes plenty of opportunities for birding stops and breaks along the way. Arrive to Hotel Gamboa Resort for overnight.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Gamboa Resort
Gamboa
Day 9
Today, visit the Rainforest Discovery Center, located at the world-famous Pipeline Road, where 385 bird species were identified during a bird count organized by the Audubon Society in 1985 that established a record for the most species of birds seen within 24 hours. Begin at the visitor center, observing up to 14 species of hummingbirds that have been recorded at the feeders. Continue walking along the trails to observe birds of the undergrowth, such as manakins and trogons. Ascend the 130-foot tower to observe birds in the canopy layer such as the Mealy and Red-lored Parrots, Keel-billed and Yellow-throated Toucans, Blue Cotinga, Masked Tityra, and Green and Red-legged Honeycreepers. Enjoy lunch at Don Caimán, a restaurant in the Gamboa Marina overlooking the Chagres River, before attending a lecture by a representative of the Audubon Society to gain insights into the region's rich biodiversity and conservation efforts. Later, take a leisurely walk along the street that runs through the exhibitions and leads to the lower station of Gamboa's Aerial Tram.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Gamboa Resort
Gamboa
Day 10
Today, visit Plantation Trail and Summit Ponds in Soberanía National Park. Created in 1980, Soberanía National Park stands as one of Panama's natural jewels and is one of the country's most accessible tropical rainforests. As a great birding hotspot, it affords visitors the chance to spot species like the Boat-billed Heron, Greater Ani, Spectacled Owl, Bat Falcon, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Golden-fronted Greenlet, Blue Cotinga, and Green Shrike-Vireo. Have lunch at Albrook Mall, which offers multiple culinary options to sample the local cuisine. Next, head to the Miraflores Visitor Center to witness the engineering prowess of the Panama Canal locks at work and enjoy the museum's interactive displays. Later in the day, explore the historic district of Casco Viejo, or Casco Antiguo, built in 1671 after the destruction of Panamá Viejo by the English privateer Henry Morgan. Casco Viejo's parks and narrow streets are lined with colorful buildings representative of Spanish, French, and early American architectural styles. This eclectic collection of architectural styles reflects the city's role as an international trade center and multicultural metropolis long before the building of the canal. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Casco Antiguo to celebrate the captivating landscapes and vibrant culture of Panama.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Hotel Gamboa Resort
Farewell
Day 11
Travel to Tocumen International Airport for your flight(s) home.
Breakfast- included
9 Travelers

$3,495

Land Cost

Group size

Book 8 travelers and 1 group
leader travels for free

What's Included
  • Activities and meals as mentioned in itinerary
  • Arrival and departure transfers based on individual flight schedules
  • Full time expert birding naturalist guide for duration of program
  • Bottled water or water refill station during transfers
  • Non alcoholic beverage with meals
  • Carbon Offset
What's Not Included
  • International airfare
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips
  • Travel Insurance
Pricing Details
Rates are based on double occupancy for participants.

Prices are valid for travel from Jan 1, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026. Holiday surcharges may apply.

Travel Info

Print Travel Info

Entry & Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Panama. Passports must be valid for at least three months after the date of entry.

A visa is not re­quired for visits up to 180 days.

If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please check with the Panamanian Embassy for the requirements based on your nationality.

U.S. citizens entering Panama by commercial flight may be charged a $5 tourist fee if Holbrook does not make your air reservations.

Health Information

IMMUNIZATIONS

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.

There are no vaccinations required for entry into Panama unless you are arriving from a country where yellow fever transmission is a risk.

Yellow fever is a risk in certain parts of Panama, primarily east of the area surrounding the Panama Canal. The CDC recommends the yellow fever vaccine if you are traveling to these areas. Consult your physician for more information.

Though not required, the CDC recommends inoculation against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid for most unvaccinated travelers to Panama.

Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.

MALARIA

The CDC warns that travelers to certain areas of Panama may be at risk for exposure to malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite found in Anopheles mosquitos, which are active from dusk until dawn. There is no vaccine to protect against malaria. If you are visiting areas where malaria is present and choose to use an anti-malarial drug, as recommended by the CDC, see your doctor for a prescription. To protect against mosquitos, cover exposed skin with lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants, consider treating clothes with permethrin, and use an insect repellent containing an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin.

DENGUE FEVER & OTHER INSECT-BORNE ILLNESSES

Locally transmitted cases of dengue fever have been reported in Panama. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with dengue and are spreading it to people. In addition, locally transmitted cases of Zika virus, leishmaniasis, and other insect-borne illnesses have previously been reported in Panama.

The CDC recommends that travelers to Panama protect themselves against insect bites. As a precaution, the CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

SUN EXPOSURE

The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.

Respiratory Illness Protocols

Please review our Respiratory Illness Protocols page, which explains our policy and procedures if you or another traveler should develop symptoms of a respiratory illness during your trip. Your participation in a Holbrook Travel program indicates that you are in agreement with these protocols.

Resources

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Suggested Packing List

Everyone has personal preferences when it comes to packing; for this reason, the information below is offered as a general guide and not a definitive list. You know yourself best: Use your discretion and pack what you think will serve you, based on your personal preferences and specific itinerary. You may find many of these items in our Gear Store.

CLOTHING

Casual, comfortable clothing is suitable for most activities. You may wish to bring a slightly nicer outfit or two (eg sundress, polo shirt) if your itinerary includes dinners out or more formal activities. Bring enough clothing suitable for the length of your program. If you prefer to pack light, note that many hotels offer laundry services at additional cost. If you plan to hand-wash items, remember that humidity may delay drying time. Pack clothing that can be worn in layers to adapt to weather changes throughout the day. Clothing that wicks away moisture and dries quickly is recommended.

  • A combination of short-sleeved and lightweight, long-sleeved shirts for sun and mosquito protection
  • Shorts
  • Lightweight, quick-drying long pants for sun and mosquito protection; jeans tend to be uncomfortable in hot and humid conditions, but are fine in the cooler highlands.
  • Undergarments
  • Sleepwear
  • Lightweight jacket or sweater/sweatshirt (or heavier weight if visiting high-elevation areas)
  • 1-2 bathing suit(s) for the beach, if applicable, plus many hotels have pools
  • Socks – Bring extra pairs. If your itinerary indicates muddy hikes with rubber boots provided on-site, pack a few pairs of knee socks to prevent blisters.
  • Shoes – Consider your specific itinerary when choosing footwear. For most programs, you’ll likely want at least one pair of comfortable, closed-toe walking or hiking shoes suitable for forest hikes and walking over cobblestones or other uneven terrain. Sturdier hiking boots may be appropriate for more rugged itineraries. In addition, many participants opt for a pair of sturdy sport-strap sandals (e.g. Keens, Tevas, or similar) and/or casual flip-flops or sandals. If you’re whitewater rafting or visiting the beach, you may also want a pair of aqua socks, reef walkers, or water shoes.
  • Lightweight rain jacket, hooded poncho, and/or windbreaker
  • Visor or wide-brimmed sun hat
  • Bandana, scarf, or Buff-style headwear

MISCELLANEOUS

Remember to pack valuables such as your passport, cash/credit cards, and medications in your carry-on luggage.

  • Personal toiletries
  • Passport and photocopies of all travel documentation
  • Personal insurance card and travel insurance information
  • Money – ATM/credit card, traveler's checks, and/or cash; small bills in good condition are recommended
  • Prescription medicines (if applicable), with a copy of the prescription
  • Yellow fever certificate (if required; only if arriving from a country where yellow fever transmission is a risk)
  • Sunglasses with strap
  • Small day pack for hikes and excursions
  • Flashlight and/or head lamp
  • Travel alarm clock or inexpensive waterproof wristwatch with alarm – Not all hotels provide alarm clocks.
  • A pocket calculator or phone to assist with conversions and currency exchange
  • Binoculars with lens cleaner
  • Camera and related equipment, such as charger, lenses, and extra memory cards
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Non-perishable snacks
  • Pocket-knife or multipurpose tool - Pack in your checked luggage
  • Zip-top style bags – useful for packing toiletries, sorting clothing, storing damp or muddy shoes, or as a dry bag for protecting electronics
  • Notepad or travel journal and pen
  • Music or reading material for down time, long bus drives, or on the airplane, and a portable bright light to read by
  • Collapsible walking stick with rubber tip
  • A small quantity of laundry detergent if you’ll be washing clothing by hand
  • Travel-size umbrella – Some people find this unwieldy to carry, while others find it offers better protection than a rain jacket alone.
  • Money belt
  • Chargers for electronics

In addition to your personal toiletries, it is useful to pack a small medical kit, which you can easily prepare. Helpful items might include: bandages, antihistamine, a pain reliever, motion sickness and/or altitude sickness medication (if you are prone to either), anti-diarrhea medicine, individually wrapped pre-moistened towelettes and/or hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, anti-fungal cream, moleskin for blisters, eye drops, tweezers, a mini sewing kit, and an extra pair of disposable contact lenses or eyeglasses if you wear them.

This was one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever been on.
- Candace G.
Panama , 2018
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