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PANAMALACARTE.COM
ECOTOURS
Smithsonian Research Institute Barro Colorado
125 animal species are found only in Panama and many kinds of animals can be seen including: tapirs, caiman, monkeys, sloths, jungle cats, deer, bats, possums, etc.
Among the 10,000 species of plants found in Panama are 1,200 varieties of orchids, 1,500 types of trees, and 687 different ferns.
One of their seven major research centers is Isla Galeta in Colon, where approximately two hectares of the island were formerly used by the US Intelligence service until 1967, this has been transformed into a world class facility for international scientists to do valuable studies of mangrove habitats, coral formations and the 22 species of tropical birds found on the island. These studies have in turn assisted in the monitoring and preservation of¨Panama’s Caribbean coastline where the islands and reefs shelter a fantastic diversity of marine life. The Centro de Exhibiciones Marinas on the Causeway in Panama City is also run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and contains, among other interesting exhibits, two aquariums that allow you to study the differences between fish in the Pacific and Caribbean Seas, so visitors know what to look for when they explore some of the marine national parks on n both coasts. The fish from the Caribbean are the more colorful. Another of Panama’s most popular ecotourism destinations is the Barro Colorado wildlife refuge at Lake Gatun, also a site of ongoing research by Smithsonian scientists.
Among the 10,000 species of plants found in Panama are 1,200 varieties of orchids, 1,500 types of trees, and 687 different ferns.
One of their seven major research centers is Isla Galeta in Colon, where approximately two hectares of the island were formerly used by the US Intelligence service until 1967, this has been transformed into a world class facility for international scientists to do valuable studies of mangrove habitats, coral formations and the 22 species of tropical birds found on the island. These studies have in turn assisted in the monitoring and preservation of¨Panama’s Caribbean coastline where the islands and reefs shelter a fantastic diversity of marine life. The Centro de Exhibiciones Marinas on the Causeway in Panama City is also run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and contains, among other interesting exhibits, two aquariums that allow you to study the differences between fish in the Pacific and Caribbean Seas, so visitors know what to look for when they explore some of the marine national parks on n both coasts. The fish from the Caribbean are the more colorful. Another of Panama’s most popular ecotourism destinations is the Barro Colorado wildlife refuge at Lake Gatun, also a site of ongoing research by Smithsonian scientists.
The unique geographical location of Panama as a land bridge between two continents has contributed to one of the most complex ecosystems on earth.
Primeval rainforests, mystical cloud forests, cool mountain retreats, pristine beaches and islands, and seven thriving indigenous Indian cultures, support tremendous opportunities for the development of ecotourism.
Although Panama has only comparatively recently been “discovered” by mainstream tourism, it has long been a choice destination for knowledgeable experts.
Birds are a primary indicator of biodiversity and Panama takes a grand prize: it has at least 935 species of birds, more than the United States and Canada combined.
Until 1996 the Panama Audubon Society held world record for identifying the most species of birds in a single day - 357 species were counted in one 24-hour period.
Panama is also privileged to be home to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), the world's primary tropical scientific investigation center, which has been cataloging and monitoring this vast ecological heritage for nearly a century.
Panama is excellent for ecotourism.
Panamalacarte encourages this kind of tourism by associating with organizations that support the development of equal tourism and through a careful selection of providers. More about our ecotours.
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Dialogue with Embera Indians
Mola craft, Kuna Indians, San Blas
