Central Panama with alumni UBC

We are thrilled to visit Panama for fascinating wildlife discoveries. Here, we find what may be the most accessible way to observe nature in the New World tropics, allowing us to enjoy a wonderful immersive experience of diverse habitats and wildlife. In particular, the tour serves as a fantastic introduction to the birds and mammals of Central America — the most visible actors in the natural habitats — but also other wildlife and a tremendous flora is revealed as we explore at our easy pace.

Our tour begins in the heart of the Canal Zone a stone’s throw from Panama City. We plan to visit national parks and reserves as well as other points of interest by foot and by water, allowing us to have a variety of experiences. See the famous Panama Canal up close and get some insights into its construction and the operation of its locks. While in the region, we also get a sense of the remoteness as we visit the Emberá people in one of their villages.

After our initiation to Panama, we travel west and into the hills near Valle de Antón, whose idyllic landscape is defined by volcanic activity that took place here long ago and is home today to mountain forests, waterfalls, and great views. Later we return to Panama City itself, where we visit a different forest type within the city limits and have a chance to enjoy the alluring beauty and history of the old city.

Join us for this interesting and enjoyable exploration of central Panama!