It seems that all of Panama is full of wildlife (monkeys, exotic animals, etc.). Are certain areas better for seeing wildlife than others?
Recommendations are welcome.
Thanks!
Hi, we asked the same question, but neither of us got a reply! We evidently have to try and find out for ourselves! If I find anything releveant, I'll be in touch!!
in my experiences the best places are:
Panama City: Soberania Park, Plantation trail great to observe small mammals, sloth and monkeys and pipeline road to observe tiny birds, also if you take the monkey island tour on the ride you will find more animals than monkeys.
Colon: Achiote trail and the road to San Lorenzo fort, I'm not sure the name of the road, may be Sherman? a lot exotic birds and monkeys
chiriqui Highlands: a lot birds, sloths, small mammals
San Blas: the have some trails a few birds and harpy eagles, a lot sloth, monkeys and small mammals
Darien: the only places with wild macaws, big mammals and predators, I never try Darien, but may be in near future. :)
good lucks,
Check the Tropical Smithsonian web site for information on the isla barro colorado tour. This island in the Gatun lake is used for research. the allow a limited amount of visitors each day. You will need to reserve as soon as you know your travel dates.
The key to seeing wildlife is using guides. Guides are on tails every day and know where you have the best chance of seeing wildlife. Your hotel or this forum should be able to help identify good guides.
We see the most wild life early morning and early evening.
Bring good binoculars. Wear clothes that let you blend in and be quite on trails.
Ancon has good tours. We have also used yellow jeep tours in boquete.
We always stay at B & B La Estancia in Ancon Hill area and start our day each am with breakfast with much wildlife. Monkeys come to the balconies where guests are having breakfast to get bananas the staff hang out. There are several sloths hanging right outside also. There is a twisted beaked eagle, and many little creatures called agoupi (sp)? -small ground hog type animals. Toucans, etc. This is our favorite place to stay in PC - away from the hustle and bustle and loudness of PC - and only a few dollars taxi ride to downtown. Owners / staff are very helpful to call you a cab when needed and you will need to go out (or order in) for lunches and dinners as this is a quiet residential area. Check it out. Of course, in the countryside, there are also many forms of wildlife; We have a home in Coronado area and there are wild monkeys in this development amid the new and older homes there living among the many residents. But for the city - staying at La Estancia is wildlife at its best! Enjoy !
When in Santa Clara area, visit XS Memories Restaurant and Motel. The owners, Sheila and Dennis have a wildlife refuge along with the restaurant, etc. wherein they have a rescue haven for exotics that people befriended (owned) and then abandoned. One can see monkeys, wild vibrant huge birds, and smaller ones including a yacky baby Toucan. They are kind people who take in these animals that humans have treated bady and rehab them. They are on their property near the restaurant / motel. Also the food is very good there also. Try the pork tenderloin and she makes the french fries fresh! People love their hamburgers - the best in that area! Wonderful! Enjoy! P.S. Tell them their friends LN and John from St. Augustine sent you!
Hi there, like you said Panama is full of wild life every where. I did a bird watching tour around a year ago to the pipe line road at the Gamboa community, this of course at the Soberania National Park, it was exellent, we had the chance to see a Harpy eagle that was just realeased, after being in captivity, by the people of Smithsonian Institute. Our tour guide told us we were very lucky because is almost impossible watching a Harpy eagle in this area. We made this tour with Mr. Rene Guardiola and one of his experts wild life tour guides like two years ago, you can contact him at ,www.yourmaninpanama.com . Good Luck.
George.
Apart from Santa Clara, where I did not go, I completely agree with what everyone has posted here.
In Gamboa you can also take a boat trip which is awesome to experience the canal area, and take you to the monkey island.
Los Quetzales Trail/Parque La Amistad in Cerro Punta is also really nice.
In Darien see diferent site
Ancon expedition
Exotic adventures
Good luck
Saw a sloth right over our heads when we visited Anne Gordon's in-laws' Embera Village.
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