Where to watch animals in Panama
— where to watch animals and sea life in Panama ?
PANAMA WILDLIFE
You are planning a trip to Panama, but you are not sure where to go to see wildlife, enjoy nature, or stay in an eco-lodge. You may also wonder what to expect during your journey.
In this article, you will discover:
- Where to watch birds in Panama
- Where to go snorkeling or diving
- Where to see monkeys in the wild
- Where (and how) to understand jaguars in their natural habitat
- Why insects play an essential role in the ecosystem
- 5 practical travel tips to enjoy wildlife responsibly
WHY PANAMA RAINFOREST HAVE SO MUCH DIFFERENT ANIMAL SPECIES?
Panama Rainforest and Biodiversity
We cannot talk about Panama’s biodiversity without mentioning the jungle. The rainforest is one of the richest ecosystems on Earth. In fact, Panama’s rainforest is home to:
- 950 bird species
- 271 reptile species
- 40,000 plant species
- Around 2.5 million insect species
A Journey Back in Time
To understand this diversity, we need to go back 15 million years. At that time, Panama was mostly underwater. North and South America were still separated by the sea, and the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans were connected.
Below the ocean, two tectonic plates slowly collided. The Pacific Plate moved under the Caribbean Plate. As a result, volcanic activity created new land and shaped what we now know as the region of Central America.
Over time, new countries emerged, including Panama and Costa Rica. This land bridge allowed animals to migrate between North and South America. Many species became isolated in the mountains, while others adapted and evolved in the tropical climate.
Today, the warm and humid equatorial rainforest creates the perfect environment for an incredible level of biodiversity.
Why the Rainforest Is So Rich in Life
The equatorial rainforest offers the perfect home for many species, and they thrive in it. This is why Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia have such rich biodiversity. You will find a wide variety of birds, fish, insects, and mammals in these regions.
In addition, some species are unique in the world. You can also see almost all types of sea turtles along the coasts.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular species in the area.
Learn More About Panama’s Biodiversity
If you want to learn more about the extraordinary biodiversity of Panama, we recommend visiting the Biomuseo in Panama City. It is a great place to understand how this incredible ecosystem was formed.
— WHERE ADMIRE RAINFOREST BIRDS ?
PANAMA TROPICAL BIRDS
Bird Watching in Panama
With nearly a thousand different bird species, Panama is one of the most diverse birdwatching destinations in the world. For bird lovers, this is truly a must-visit place.
Some species are very easy to spot, such as toucans, parrots, and hummingbirds. However, many other rare species can also be found across the country.
Best Places to Watch Birds in Panama
If you want to discover more birds, you can visit Soberanía National Park. There, you will find more than 500 bird species in a protected natural environment.
Another great location is Isla Bastimentos, which is also popular among birdwatchers.
For a more guided experience, Tranquilo Bay is well known. It offers a 25-meter observation tower and expert guides who explain the different species.
You can also stay in an eco-lodge for a few days to fully enjoy birdwatching in nature. The experience costs around $175 per day and includes access to the area and facilities.
If you have a smaller budget, Republica Pachamama is another eco-lodge located in the rainforest. With its vast natural surroundings, it offers great opportunities to observe many bird species. The price is around $25 per day.
Explore More Species
If you are interested in a complete list of bird species in Panama, click the button below to learn more.
— WHERE TO DIVE IN PANAMA ?
PANAMA SEA WILDLIFE
WHALES & SHARKS
Diving in Panama
In Panama, you can dive between two oceans and experience completely different underwater worlds in the same trip. On one side, the Pacific Ocean offers colder waters. On the other side, the Caribbean provides warm tropical conditions with vibrant marine life.
Marine Life and Best Sightings
The Coiba Marine Park is especially famous for its rich biodiversity. In dive logs, you will often find sightings of humpback whales, reef sharks, and sometimes even killer whales. The best period for whale sightings is between August and September.
Best Diving Spots in Panama
Panama offers many excellent diving locations, with more than a dozen sites across the country.
Some of the best include:
- San Blas Islands: great for relaxed diving and coral exploration
- Bocas del Toro: ideal for coral reefs and beginner-friendly dives
- Las Perlas Archipelago (Pacific side): known for pelagic life and drift diving
In general, the Caribbean side is calmer and better for beginners. In contrast, the Pacific side has stronger currents but offers more advanced drift diving experiences.
The Las Perlas Archipelago is also well known for frequent encounters with whales and other large marine species.
Diving in Panama
Panama offers a unique diving experience with two oceans, rich marine life, and diverse dive sites suitable for all levels.
TURTLES
Sea Turtles in Panama
In Panama, you can also find five of the seven marine turtle species in the world. They can be seen on both coasts, including the beautiful San Blas Islands on the Caribbean side and the Gulf of Chiriquí on the Pacific side.
Watching these turtles come out of the ocean to lay their eggs on the beach is an unforgettable experience. It is one of the most special natural events you can witness in the country.
Best Places and Season to See Them
You can observe this nesting season on several beaches between July and November.
Some of the best spots include:
- Playa Bluff
- Playa Malena
- Isla Cañas
Each location offers a unique chance to see turtles in their natural environment, often during nighttime nesting.
— WHERE TO SEE MONKEYS IN PANAMA ?
PANAMA MONKEYS
Monkeys in Panama
There are seven different species of monkeys in Panama. One of the best ways to see them is by visiting Monkey Island, located in the middle of Gatun Lake, a short boat ride from Colón.
During the tour, you explore the islands by boat and observe monkeys in their natural habitat. Most of them are capuchins. They are very curious and often approach boats, sometimes even eating from your hands. They also love fruits like mangoes, which makes the experience fun and interactive.
This is a popular activity during a trip to Panama. The half-day tour costs approximately $70 per person.
Fascinating Capuchin Behavior
Capuchin monkeys are highly intelligent. In fact, a New Scientist report observed a group of capuchins in Panama using stones as tools and even teaching this behavior to younger monkeys.
This makes them one of the few primate groups known to develop and pass on tool use, a behavior sometimes referred to as entering a “stone age,” similar to early human evolution.
Learn More About Panama Monkeys
If you want to discover all monkey species in Panama, you can check an official reference list online for more details.
— WHERE TO WATCH ANIMALS IN PANAMA ?
WILD JAGUAR
MAMMALS
The Darien National Park
To discover one of the wildest regions of Panama, you need to travel away from the capital, close to the Colombian border. There, you will find the Darién National Park, one of the most remote and untouched rainforests in the country.
This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve. It is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, as well as Indigenous communities who have preserved their culture and way of life in the jungle.
Because of the dense forest and wildlife, it is strongly recommended to visit with a guide. Animals such as jaguars, capybaras, and many reptiles live freely in the area.
A guided 3-day / 2-night jungle experience costs approximately $450 per person.
Eco-Lodge Alternative
If this is above your budget, you can also stay in a jungle eco-lodge. It offers a more accessible way to experience the rainforest while still enjoying nature.
We recommend Konsenda, which offers stays starting around $75 for 3 days. The property covers 32 acres of equatorial jungle, allowing you to explore wildlife in a more relaxed setting.
Learn More About Wildlife
If you want a complete list of mammals in Panama, click the link below for more information.
CAPYBARA
Capybara is a kind of cute mix between a pig and a big rat, they can weigh up to 70kg and love water, they bases their survival on an surprising social cohesion: in a group made up of twenty animals (three to four males, six to eight females and the young), the youngs of diverse ages are watching by one of the adults, male or female. This “kindergarden” allows parents to bath, eat or coat themselves with mud without too much risk for their little ones. It is also normal that a lactating female feed all the young of the same group. The male who marks his territory leads the group.
— WHY INSECTS ARE ESSENTIAL ?
PANAMA INSECTS
Insects and Biodiversity in Panama
With around 2.5 million insect species, Panama hosts nearly half of the world’s known insect diversity. For this reason, it is one of the best places to observe biodiversity in its purest form.
Many people do not like insects, but they are an essential part of nature and ecosystems.
Why Insects Are So Important
Insects are constantly evolving, and their exact number is impossible to determine. If all insects on Earth were combined, their total biomass would likely outweigh humanity by a huge margin. Some estimates suggest it could be hundreds of times greater, although these numbers remain uncertain due to limited data.
What we do know is that insects share common biological features: three pairs of legs, a body divided into head, thorax, and abdomen, and often two pairs of wings (which can be reduced or absent in some species).
They also go through metamorphosis, meaning they change form during their life cycle.
Essential for Life on Earth
Insects play a critical role in the balance of ecosystems. Without them, life would be very different. Pollination would be severely reduced, which would directly impact agriculture and food production.
Many foods we depend on would disappear or become extremely rare. Products like honey and silk would also no longer exist. In addition, reduced pollination would lead to major food shortages and nutritional deficiencies.
In short, human life would be at serious risk without insects.
A Final Note
So, there is no need to be afraid of them. Most insects are harmless and essential to life on Earth.
And finally, it is worth remembering that the most dangerous animal for humans is not an insect… but the mosquito.
— TRAVELLING TIPS
OUR TOP 5 NATURE ACTIVITIES TO TO DO IN PANAMA
1. Our favorite
Darien national park
Take 3 days to visit the darien national park, with a guide you will discover the beauty of jungle, the biodiversity of the rainforest and meet the amerindian tribe living there. Okay! It s a budget ($450 for 3 days) and it’s really not easy to reach but it also a really greet adventure! More informations.
2. The cheapest
Konsenda
here you can’t hire a guide (so, don’t go too far into the jungle) but you will find in Republica Pachamama a bunch of happy volunteers who are always really happy to receive visitors on their little paradise. it’s not the most comfortable place: No electricity into the bedrooms, No hot water but instead nice commun room built with natural materials on 32 acres of rainforest, also, waterfalls inside the property, jungle view from the cabanas beds, friendly atmosphere and really fair prices ($75 for 3 days). It s a really complet place to discover the Panamanian wildlife, but definitively not for peaky persons. More informations
3. Birds lovers
Nacional Soberanía park
Between Colon and Panama city, this affordable park (5$) is a good place to hike safety and discover wildlife, and a lot of birds!!!! only problem: some animals are in cage and we will prefer to have them free. More informations
4. Cruise Panama
Discover wildlife by charter boat
A good way to discover sea wildlife is by boat, of course if you go to Panama on August you can see the beautiful spectacle of turtle nesting from the beach, but this is not the best part of the year to visit Panama. If you want take time to admire sea creature the best is to take a boat, and for few days have time to discover sea life at your rhythm.
You can do some drift diving on the pacific cost, some diving in Boca del Toro or fantastic snorkeling on shallow turquoise water cruising around the San Blas islands
5. The funniest
Monkey island
Those monkeys are not shy at all!!! Go by boat and have fun. The monkeys climb the boat eat in your hands. Meet those cute little thiefs and come back with beautiful memories and nice pics. More informations