Have you ever wondered what happens in the jungle after sundown? At the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Bat Lab, in Gamboa, you’ll not only get up close and personal with bats, scorpions, and frogs, you´ll get to explore their world under the cover of night. With over 120 bat species calling Panama home, this little country offers numerous opportunties to catch a glimpse of these often misunderstood nocturnal creatures. Just…
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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: WHALE WATCHING IN PANAMA
Every year locals and visitors alike take to the waters off the Pacific coast of Panama in search of the magnificent humpback whale. Even though it tends to fly under the travel radar, Panama is one of the most reliable, least crowded whale watching destinations in the world. Panama’s western shores offer calm water, warm temperatures, and an extensive viewing season between the sheltered bays of the Gulf of Chiriquí,…
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SMITHSONIAN’S GEM IN LAKE GATUN
Imagine hiking through a dense, pristine tropical rainforest while massive container ships glide silently just beyond the tree line. That’s what it’s like visiting Smithsonian’s gem in Lake Gatun, Isla Barro Colorado Island. It’s one of the world’s most important biological research hubs, managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). If you’re looking to escape Panama City for an unforgettable day immersed in nature, science, and history, this is…
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THE SWEETEST SECRET IN PTY
Panama is world-famous for its engineering marvels and ultra-premium Geisha coffee, but its rich cacao heritage is one of the country’s most delicious secrets. Centuries before modern chocolatiers began crafting luxury bars, indigenous communities like the Ngäbe-Buglé and Guna were cultivating native cacao in the lush rainforests of Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí. Today, Panama’s bean-to-bar movement is booming—and right in the heart of Panama City, one boutique store turns…
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THE EMBERÁ OF PANAMA: TRULY A WORLD AWAY
Jungle waterfall on Embera tour, Panama
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COLOMBIA: BOGOTÁ & COCORA VALLEY
My second trip to Colombia took me to its bustling capital and stunning coffee region. This trip had all the best of Colombia: art, food, coffee, gold, emeralds and natural beauty. Whether I was taking in super-cool street art or hiking under the world’s tallest palm trees, there was something extraordinary around every turn. Come along as I spend 5 jam-packed days in Colombia: Bogotá and Cocora Valley. PROTIP: fill…
