12-day trip to Panama

March 26 – April 6

The trip was well researched, but details were worked out last minute or on-the-go. It was relatively fast paced, as we covered four different locations, but we also enjoyed less physically demanding days/activities such as visiting coffee and cacao plantations, orchid show, swimming/snorkeling, boat tours. We watched Panama Canal operation at four different locations. Nature-watching was high on the agenda. Tropical forest, lake/canal, seashore. Monkeys, sloths, red frogs etc. We heard and/or saw well over hundred different bird species (☞ Table).

We plan to publish four detailed reports/posts: Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro and Gamboa.

• All people we met were friendly and helpful, Panama felt safe and relaxed.
• Internal flights, water taxis and Uber worked well, we also used private transfers and a couple of times bus in Panama City.
• We hiked eight trails 2-16km long (total 55km), two on slopes of Volcan Baru were quite steep. Plus local walks.
• Went on two boat tours, one private (Gatun Lake) and one organized (Cayo Zapatilla).
• We ate one meal each day at a selected restaurant or prepared by our host. Bought groceries in stores we could find around. We had access to kitchen in all places we stayed.
• No health issues. Low mosquito and sand fly activity, but still recovering from multiple chigger bites.

Few snapshots…