"Exciting Panama" Panama by no1birdlady

Panama Travel Guide: 1,982 reviews and 3,825 photos

The Canal

Panama has been known as the "crossroads of the world". It's most famous for the Panama Canal which cuts across the Central American land mass from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. I took a day trip into the canal and back out to experience the locks of the canal. It's fascinating.

Our Wildlife Tour

Our group birding in the rain.

Panama means "the place of abundant fish" but we found it's a place of abundant wildlife of all kinds, especially birds. In Feb. of 1999 I went on a birding tour to Panama with Caligo Ventures. Our small group birded areas near Panama City then flew west and drove up into the volcanic highlands then flew back to Panama City where we took a tour into the Panama Canal. It was an excellent tour. You will notice in my tips that we did several things where the guide made arrangements for us to go onto private land or to eat in a local home or restaurant. Unfortunately I do not know how to make these arrangements but that was a very nice touch to the tour and helped to make it special. Also we had a very small group which was nice also.

Panama's Climate

View of Baru Volcano

Panama lies very close to the Equator so has a tropical climate with high humidity year round. Their 2 seasons are the dry season from Jan. to mid-April, and rainy season from mid-April to December. There is a big difference between the tropical lowlands around the canal and the western highlands of the volcanic areas. Temperatures depend more on elevation than on time of year. We were here in Feb. and it was hot and humid around Panama City and cooler but still humid and misty in the western mountains in rain forests.

Last visit to Panama: Feb 1999
Intro Updated Feb 14, 2006
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Reviews (17)

Lunch at a Coffee Plantation Off The Beaten Path (2)

This was such a neat tour because of some of the out of the way places we got to visit while here. We got to meet local... more travel advice

Children at Meson Tia Toya of Cerro Azul - Panama

Lunch at Meson Tia Toya of Cerro Azul Off The Beaten Path (2)

Our guide with Caligo (the tour company) had arranged for us to have lunch one day at a local place. We arrived at Meson... more travel advice

New Resort in Western Mountains Hotels (3)

Located near Volcan in the western mountains of Panama, Hotel Bambito Resort is a new resort. It is a modern luxury... more travel advice

Quaint Old Inn in the Mountains Hotels (3)

This is a quaint old hotel which looks more like a small inn. It is run by a very nice lady who took great pains to make... more travel advice

Things to Do (12)
See All Bird at Los Quetzales Huts in Baru...

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Comments (4)

kyoub Jul 1, 2006 at 11:52 AM Report Abuse

Didn't you just fall in love with Panama and all the beautiful birds there? Nice page!
quime Mar 3, 2006 at 8:06 AM Report Abuse

wow, you did stay on some of my favorite hotels in Panama!!!
thinking Feb 23, 2006 at 6:26 PM Report Abuse

I liked your Panama page. It tells of aspects that are different from my Panama pages.
807Wheaton Feb 16, 2006 at 6:09 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful picture of the Respendant Quetzal! I can see why you enjoyed this birding trip - lots of birds to see. Your accomodations offered a chance to try food from the Panamanian culture. Nice job! Marcia