The Best Places in Panama for Ecotourism – Immersion in Wildlife

Panama has many amazing places. Excellent ecology, clean waters, secluded beaches and many national parks provide a huge choice for ecotourism. This country is located between Mexico and Costa Rica, which are more popular with tourists today. However, if you want to visit truly amazing places, immerse yourself in a tropical paradise and touch pure nature, it is better to choose Panama. Also, here you can find cheaper accommodation and food, and the locals are friendly and peaceful.

Panama is great for ecotourism, and today we will talk about – where you can find the most vivid impressions, the clearest water and the whitest beaches.

Why is Panama so attractive to ecotourists?

There are several reasons for this:

Rich biodiversity. Panama is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, so here you can find many unique plants and animals.

Conservation of nature. The government pays great attention to environmental protection. New national parks and reserves are being created, and programs for the conservation of endangered species are being developed.

Diversity of ecosystems. The country offers a wide range of ecosystems: from tropical forests to coral reefs. Every traveler will be able to find something interesting for himself here.

Opportunities for active recreation. Panama is an ideal place for lovers of active recreation. Here you can go diving, snorkeling, surfing, trekking, rafting and many other sports.

Authentic culture. Rich culture and traditions give the trip a unique flavor. Visiting cities and villages and meeting locals will allow you to delve deeper into the past.

Pirates of the Caribbean. Many places are associated not only with the colonial past and the traditions of local residents, but also with pirates. In those distant times, piracy flourished in the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, and many islands and coastal settlements became temporary pirate settlements or were subject to pirate raids.

Panama, with its rich biodiversity and unique natural landscapes, is a true paradise for lovers of wildlife and ecotourism. The country offers many opportunities for travelers who want to study rare species of animals, plants, the underwater world and simply enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the surrounding wild nature, or engage in spiritual practice on a secluded island.

Bocas del Toro: Caribbean Paradise

The Bocas del Toro archipelago, located in the Caribbean Sea, is famous for its picturesque islands, white beaches and mangrove forests. Here you can go surfing, kayaking, and also watch amazing underwater life.

The archipelago consists of 59 islands and its total area is about 250 km². You won’t find mountains or cliffs on any of the islands, and many of them exist without people. This means that the archipelago includes many uninhabited islands where there are no human settlements and, apart from wild animals, birds or large turtles during the egg-laying season, you won’t meet anyone here.

But there are also inhabited islands in the archipelago. Colon is the largest island in Bocas del Toro, home to more than 6,000 people. As you can imagine, 6,000 people is not much at all, and the settlement here resembles a large village with old colonial buildings.

Costa Rica is not far from here – it’s only a couple hours by boat, so the area combines many plants and animals that are found in both Costa Rica and Panama. Let’s not forget about the pirates of the Caribbean – some of the islands have been a haven for sea robbers more than once. 

You can get to the large, inhabited islands by boats that regularly depart from the mainland. You can also get to secluded, uninhabited islands by boat, but before that you will need to order it separately. There are no problems with this, since many local residents on the coast earn money by transporting tourists and providing various services. For example, this is traditional for these places: fishing, diving, snorkeling, etc. 

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However, ecotourism lovers visit this Bocas del Toro archipelago mainly for the sake of deserted islands, where you can meet rare and endangered species. A big plus of such islands is the opportunity to stay for a while and live a few days of solitude, surrounded by wild nature. Of course, in this case, it is important to take a supply of food and water with you. 

Chiriqui National Park: Isla Parida Island and other attractions

Chiriqui National Park occupies an impressive territory not only on the mainland. The park’s territory also includes many islands located in the Gulf of Panama, many of which are real pearls in the crystal ocean water. Some of these islands are among the most beautiful in all of central America.

Vacation in tropical island – Isla Parida 

Even the very name of the island, which came to us from ancient times, indicates its paradisiacal origin. And it is truly a paradise without human intervention – there are no human settlements around. There are no buildings here, except for a small cafe with a playground for the few tourists who visit the island. But even this cafe cannot be called a permanent building since it has no concrete foundation. Remember, we talked about the laws of Panama? It is forbidden to build permanent buildings on the territory of national parks, so you will not see them here.

If you are looking for a place to relax, solitude or spiritual practice, this is an ideal choice. Since there is a small cafe, you do not even have to worry about taking a supply of food with you. In addition, in one part of the island, it is planned to create a small, secluded zone – a glamping hotel. No permanent buildings – the entire zone will consist of spheres and hemispheres. You can get to the island by booking a boat from Boca Chica or Churca village.

The coastline of the island is a place where you wanna stay for a while. There is amazing underwater life here, the coral reefs, many rare species of fish, and about half of the forests are never visited by people. You should be careful when going deeper into the jungle, as you will definitely encounter local wild inhabitants, such as monkeys.

And also, large green turtles – Isla Parida welcomes them every year to give the opportunity to lay their eggs in the clean coastal sand. Local eco-volunteers know about this and help restore the population, which has greatly decreased over the past centuries. The cleanest ecology and the absence of people give the turtles complete freedom of action. They also regularly visit nearby islands, which we will talk about right now..

Islands nearby – Isla Gomez, Landrones, Coiba and other

If the sand on the beaches of Isla Parida in some places has a darkish shade due to volcanic inclusions, then Isla Gomez, which is located a few kilometers away, will delight you with absolutely stunning, snow-white beaches. It is smaller in size, there are no cafes or other buildings here at all, but the wildlife is beautiful.

Another island near Isla Parida is Isla Landrones. There are no traces of humans here either, but traces of large green turtles regularly appear. Isla Parida and Isla Landrones were regular vaults for pirates in the distant past, as evidenced by many historical records.

Coiba Island

Coiba is a true wildlife reserve located on the largest island of the Pearl Archipelago. Here you can find many rare species of animals, such as howler monkeys, sloths, sea turtles and various birds. Coiba is a national park and has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2005. It is subject to all legislative prohibitions and laws on the protection of the environment, animals and endangered species. Also, the island is surrounded by a special marine protection zone, so even fishing here may not be the best idea.

Interestingly, for a long time there was a prison on the island, which limited free access for tourists and locals. After the prison was closed and the status of a national park was assigned, Coiba ceased to be a great place for tourism. It is believed that at least 80% of the island has never been visited by humans, and although this number may have changed in recent years due to the increase in tourism, still, huge forest areas remain untouched today. This is one of the last places in Central America where the rare scarlet macaw can be found.

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Visitors can go hiking, diving, tracking or simply relax on the beach, enjoying the beauty of untouched nature. The island can be reached from two starting points – Puerto Mutis and Santa Catalina.

Isla Parida, Isla Gomez, Landrones, Coiba and Secas are one of the greatest locations in central and South America for oxen sort fishing and scuba diving.

Chagres National Park: Jungle and Rivers

Chagres National Park is located in central Panama and is famous for its dense tropical forests, rivers and waterfalls. Here you can go rafting, kayaking, hiking or just relax on the riverbank. The park is home to many species of animals, including monkeys, sloths and rare birds.

Since national parks have a number of restrictions, there are no human settlements and the construction of buildings and the laying of concrete foundations are impossible. Also, hunting for animals and birds is strictly prohibited here, which allows for the maximum preservation of rare species.

Darien National Park

Darien National Park is one of the largest and most unstudied tropical forests in the world. The status of a national park allows the jungle to remain intact, preserving its natural charm. It is strongly discouraged to go on a trip to these places on your own, as it is dangerous. Why? It’s all about the absolutely wild environment.

Rare species of animals live here, such as jaguars, pumas and deer. Visiting the park is only possible as part of an organized group, and many areas and long journeys will require good stamina and physical strength. Book a tour of the national park Darien is not difficult – locals offer’s such services. 

Malena Beach

This is a small settlement on the coast, with a stunningly clean ocean and incredibly clean sand. There are almost no visitors here, except for ecotourists and volunteers. What is so remarkable about the village of Malena?

There is a very beautiful underwater world here, and the coast is surrounded by low mountains. But most of all, ecotourists are attracted by the initiative carried out by the Panama Wildlife Conservation organization. The organization annually moves a large number of turtle eggs from other places on the Panamanian coast to the Malena beach, which allows preserving the offspring and increasing the population of these amazing living creatures.

Panama Wildlife Conservation is open to help, but you will not be allowed to participate in the transfer of turtle offspring, and touch the eggs or little baby turtles by your own hands. This requires special qualifications. However, you can observe the process and provide all possible assistance, for example, by donating. The settlement has inexpensive housing and food, the surrounding environment is perfect for walking and trekking. But be careful – for wild animals, snakes and insects, this is a natural habitat. Perhaps, if you are not confident in your abilities and your stamina, you should consult with local residents and don’t go too deep in the bush. It is not difficult to do this – for example, just ask for advice in a cafe where you are going to have lunch.

Now a new type of ecotourism is gaining popularity in the world – tours to the habitats of rare species of Panama. For example, when it comes to large green turtles – Isla Parida, Coiba Islands, Landrones, Secas, Gomez, Malena Beach, this is an example of such an ecotour.

Summing up..

Panama is an ideal place for those who want to immerse themselves in nature, enjoy the beauty of tropical forests and the ocean, and at the same time contribute to the preservation of the environment. Regardless of your interests, you will definitely find a place here that will win your heart. Whether it’s exploring the jungle, diving into the underwater world, or simply observing wild animals, Panama offers unforgettable experiences. Ecotourism in Panama is not just a trip, it is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the amazing world of wildlife.

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