Panama: Bocas del Toro Archipelago

Montezuma Oropendola © Natalia Decastro Gonzalez

Great birding complemented by luxury accommodations and the flora and fauna of these beautiful Caribbean islands, plus adjacent mainland up to 4,200-foot elevation near Reserva Forestal Fortuna.

The Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, with seven luxury cabanas and two smaller single rooms, is on Bastimentos Island, adjacent to a large preserve. Huge, colorful Montezuma Oropendolas are very common. There are trails on the property and a 6-story observation tower, as well as good birding from the lodge porch and open areas on the grounds. One day will be spent birding the 7-mile-long Soropta or Snyder Canal that was built to transport bananas from Costa Rica plantations. The rare Nicaraguan Seed-Finch occurs along the canal. That afternoon we will visit Swan’s Cay, which has breeding Red-billed Tropicbirds, Magnificent Frigatebirds, and Brown Boobies.

On three days we will take a boat to Punta Róbalo where a coaster will take us on a very bird-rich road from sea level to 4,200 feet. Three full-day visits are needed due to all the potential species present in various ecosystems along this road. One full day will be devoted to a new road heading east of Cañazas. A half-day will be devoted to birding the trails at the Green Acres Chocolate Farm. Our last half-day is left open for birding the many trails on the property, visiting the bird bathing pool in the forest, or snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing.

We will search for these potential species: Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, six kingfishers, four trogons, Yellow-eared and Northern Emerald toucanets, Collared Araçari and two toucans, Prong-billed Barbet, three cotingas, Three-wattled Bellbird, three parakeets and six parrots, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, three puffbirds, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, four manakins, Black-chested Jay, seventeen hummingbirds, eight woodpeckers, over twenty tanagers, and many more species.