Panama Birding Tour

DAY 1: Arrival in Panama City

On arrival at Tocumen International Airport, you will be transferred to the Riande Aeropuerto Hotel, conveniently located close to the airport. If time permits, there is an opportunity for light birding around the hotel grounds, where common Neotropical species such as Clay-colored Thrush, Blue-gray Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Tropical Mockingbird and Red-crowned Woodpecker are regularly seen.

DAY 2: Travel to Darién and Birding Along the Pan-American Highway

After an early breakfast, the journey begins towards the Darién region, one of the most biodiverse areas in Panama. The first birding stop is around Bayano Lake and the Río Mono area in eastern Panama Province. This region offers excellent opportunities for eastern Panama specialties, including Black Antshrike, Jet Antbird, Orange-crowned Oriole, One-colored Becard, Rusty-winged Antwren, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Barred Puffbird and Pied Water Tyrant.

Lunch is taken in the town of Tortí, where hummingbird feeders attract a variety of species. In the afternoon, the journey continues to Metetí with further birding along the Pan-American Highway, where species such as Striped Cuckoo, Pearl Kite, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Spot-crowned Barbet and Spectacled Parrotlet may be encountered.

DAY 3: Harpy Eagle Nest Visit

Today includes one of the most remarkable experiences of the tour, a visit to an active Harpy Eagle nest in the forests of Darién. The journey involves driving, a canoe trip along a local river and a guided forest hike. While sightings cannot be guaranteed, visiting a known nest site provides realistic chances of observing a young Harpy Eagle or, if fortunate, an adult nearby.

Along the way, the area is rich in birdlife, with possible sightings of Great Green Macaw, Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Chocó Sirystes, Golden-headed Manakin, Golden-green Woodpecker and Semiplumbeous Hawk. Mammals such as Tayra, Geoffroy’s Tamarin and Northern Tamandua may also be encountered. After returning to Metetí, additional birding is done at selected sites.

DAY 4: Darién Lowlands and Río Tortí

Another full day is dedicated to birding in the Darién lowlands, focusing on range-restricted and regional specialties along the Pan-American Highway, El Salto and Lajas Blancas. Target species include Hook-billed Kite, Blue Cotinga, Double-banded Graytail, Cinereous Becard, Bare-crowned Antbird and Royal Flycatcher.

In the afternoon, the group begins the return journey towards Panama City, stopping overnight in Tortí. If time allows, birding along the Río Tortí may produce Pacific Antwren, Red-billed Scythebill, Laughing Falcon, Little Cuckoo and Gray-capped Cuckoo.

DAY 5: San Francisco Reserve and Return to Panama City

San Francisco Reserve near Tortí offers a variety of habitats, from open savannah to mature rainforest. This is an important site for the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet, as well as Royal Flycatcher, Golden-collared Manakin, Barred Puffbird, Sulphur-rumped Tanager, Great Jacamar and the rare Wing-banded Antbird.

The reserve is also an excellent area for raptors, with Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle and King Vulture regularly seen, and even Harpy Eagle recorded occasionally. Mammal sightings may include Colombian Spider Monkey. After lunch at a local restaurant with hummingbird feeders, the group returns to Panama City and checks in at Summit Rainforest Resort. Evening birding around the hotel may reveal Bat Falcon and Collared Aracari.

DAY 6: Gatun Lake Boat Tour and Summit Ponds

The morning begins with a boat excursion on Gatun Lake, part of the Panama Canal system and one of the best sites in the country for waterbirds. Species commonly seen include Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Snail Kite, Wattled Jacana, Limpkin and Black-bellied Whistling Duck. The boat trip also offers close encounters with wildlife such as White-faced Capuchin, Mantled Howler Monkey, Green Iguana and American Crocodile.

In the afternoon, birding continues at Summit Ponds and along Old Gamboa Road, where Golden-collared Manakin, Jet Antbird, Yellow-billed Cacique, American Pygmy Kingfisher and Boat-billed Heron are frequently recorded.

DAY 7: Full Day on Pipeline Road

Pipeline Road is one of the most famous birding locations in the world, with over 400 species recorded. The day begins at the Ammo Dump Ponds, where Rufescent Tiger-Heron, White-throated Crake, Isthmian Wren, Yellow-tailed Oriole and Striated Heron are regularly observed.

The remainder of the day is spent exploring Pipeline Road itself, searching for key rainforest species such as Red-capped Manakin, Yellow-throated Toucan, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Black-breasted Puffbird, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon Woodpecker and Spotted Antbird. With luck, army ant swarms may attract Ocellated Antbird and Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo. Mammals such as sloths, coatis and tamanduas are also possible.

DAY 8: Panama Rainforest Discovery Center and Pipeline Road

The day starts at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, where an observation tower allows birding above the forest canopy. Species often seen include Blue Cotinga, Yellow-throated Toucan, White-necked Puffbird, Scaled Pigeon, Blue Dacnis and Golden-hooded Tanager. Raptors such as Black Hawk-Eagle and King Vulture may be seen soaring overhead.

Feeder platforms offer close views of hummingbirds, including Long-billed Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and Blue-chested Hummingbird, with occasional sightings of Rufous-crested Coquette. The afternoon is spent birding further along Pipeline Road.

DAY 9: Metropolitan Natural Park and El Valle de Antón

Metropolitan Natural Park, located within Panama City, protects an area of tropical dry forest and is excellent for species such as Yellow-backed Oriole, Lance-tailed Manakin, Rufous-and-white Wren, Common Potoo, Rosy Thrush-Tanager and the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet.

In the afternoon, the journey continues to El Valle de Antón, a volcanic crater surrounded by cloud forest and foothill habitats. Birding at Sendero Las Minas and La Mesa may produce Northern Emerald Toucanet, Spot-crowned Antvireo, White-tipped Sicklebill, Green Hermit, Black-faced Grosbeak and Silver-throated Tanager.

DAY 10: El Valle de Antón and Cerro Gaital

Birding continues around El Valle, including Cerro Gaital National Monument. Open areas and forest trails offer opportunities to see Barred Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, Crested Oropendola, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Tawny-crested Tanager, White-ruffed Manakin and Slaty Antwren.

Private gardens in the area host roosting Spectacled Owls, and the surrounding dry forest is ideal for Tody Motmot, Lesson’s Motmot, Rufous-breasted Wren, White Hawk and Long-billed Starthroat.

DAY 11: Back Road to Altos del María

Today involves travel by four-wheel drive into the highlands of Altos del María. This scenic route is excellent for species such as Barred Hawk, Russet Antshrike, Black-and-yellow Tanager, Snowcap, Ochraceous Wren, Dusky-faced Tanager, Red-faced Spinetail and Black-crowned Antpitta. Ornate Hawk-Eagle is occasionally seen soaring over the forest.

DAY 12: Pacific Lowlands and Return to Panama City

The focus shifts to the Pacific lowlands at Juan Hombrón and El Chiru, where open habitats support raptors such as Crested Caracara, Pearl Kite, Savanna Hawk and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture. Target species include the near-endemic Veraguan Mango, Crested Bobwhite, Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant, Plain-breasted Spinetail and Straight-billed Woodcreeper.

Wetlands and mangroves may produce Wood Stork, Reddish Egret, Willet and American Oystercatcher. In the late afternoon, the group returns to Panama City.

DAY 13: Cerro Azul

The final full day explores the foothills of Cerro Azul within Chagres National Park. This region is one of the best in Panama for hummingbirds and foothill specialists. Species include Yellow-eared Toucanet, Emerald Tanager, Speckled Tanager, Rufous-winged Tanager, Black-eared Wood Quail and the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker.

Hummingbirds may include Rufous-crested Coquette, Crowned Woodnymph, Violet-capped Hummingbird, Green Hermit and Bronzetailed Plumeleteer. After a final day of birding, the group returns to Panama City for a farewell dinner.

DAY 14: End of tour and Departure

After breakfast, guests transfer to Tocumen International Airport for departure.