Panama - Highlights (Relaxed) 2026

28 Jan 2026 - 10 Feb 2026 (14 days)

USD6,200 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD6,200 * GBP4,951 * EUR5,960 * AUD9,959

On Relaxed tour of Panama will spend a week exploring some of the more accessible rainforests and montane cloud forests the country has to offer. The native flora is simply stunning, and more than 10 000 species have already been identified within the country! Around 930 bird species – more than the number found in North America and Europe combined – make their home in this tropical paradise.

We’ll spend our second week in the Western Highlands of this fascinating country, part of a chain of volcanic mountains straddling the Panamanian and Costa Rican border. They host a unique and interesting avifauna that includes many regional highland endemics, and some of the world’s most spectacularly beautiful birds!  We will try to locate as many of the 50+ highland endemic species as time permits. One of the obvious targets will be the awe-inspiring Resplendent Quetzal, along with a host of highland hummingbirds, tanagers, trogons, and many others! With roughly 29% of its territory protected within 15 nature reserves, Panama is fast becoming a must-visit destination for birders and nature travellers the world over.

Top Birds

Resplendent Quetzal; Prong-billed Barbet; Snowy-bellied, Rufous-tailed, Violet-headed, Talamanca, Scintillant, Volcano, Blue-chested & Violet-capped Hummingbirds; Rufous-crested Coquette; White-vented & Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer; Green Hermit; Band-tailed Barbthroat; White-tailed Emerald; Green-crowned Brilliant; Purple-throated & White-throated Mountaingems; White-tipped Sicklebill; Veraguan Mango; Violet Sabrewing; Green-fronted Lancebill; Chiriqui Yellowthroat; Bay-headed, Speckled, Rufous-winged & Black-and-yellow Tanagers; Rosy Thrush-Tanager; Golden-browed Chlorophonia; Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker; Yellow-eared Toucanet; Red-capped, Lance-tailed & Blue-crowned Manakins; Broad-billed & Rufous Motmots; Amazon, Green & American Pygmy Kingfishers; Red-lored Amazon; Sclaed Pigeon; Blue-headed Parrot; Keel-billed & Yellow-throated Toucans; Blue Cotinga; Green Shrike-Vireo; Black-chested Jay; Purple-throated Fruitcrow; Slaty-tailed, White-tailed, Collared & Gartered Trogons; Black-crowned & Streak-chested Antpittas; Black Guan; White Hawk; Ornate Hawk-Eagle.

Top Mammals

Mantled Howler Monkey; White-faced Capuchin; Ocelot; various sloths

Habitats Covered

rainforest, cloudforest, marshes, rivers

Expected Climate

mostly tropical conditions; warm and humid

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Our Relaxed series of tours are designed to focus on having an enjoyable holiday with a bird and wildlife focus. Where possible; we have reduced or removed long drives, single night stays and poor/rustic accommodation. We have also sought to reduce or remove difficult hikes, narrow/muddy trails and otherwise oppressive environmental conditions. Early starts and night birding are mostly optional, and we will not spend much time searching for difficult and/or skulking species. These tours are not suitable for hardcore birders and listers, or dedicated photographers.

Accommodation

Comfortable to very comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Moderate, mostly forest birding.

Number of Species Expected

300+

Other Attractions

Panama Canal, pristine rainforest

Photographic Opportunities

Average to good. Many species are seen within the forest or in the canopy.

What our clients say about us

Forrest Rowland
LR, Panama

Forrest is an outstanding guide. I often have trouble getting on a bird and he was very patient with me. He lived up to all the hype my friend told me. Looking forward to more trips with Rockjumper and especially with Forrest.

Robert Williams
PM, Panama

Every tour I have had with Rockjumper and every Rockjumper guide (both birding and people skills I have birded with have been outstanding.

Alexander Alvarado
DB, Panama 2024

Alex and local guide Edwin had excellent skills in locating birds using sound and sight. They found birds that seemed impossible to see. Forest birding doesn't always allow all the tour participants to see every bird. The accommodations were good to excellent.

Tuomas Seimola
RO & TO - Panama 2019

As is the tradition with all of the Rockjumper guides that we've had the pleasure of being in the boonies with, Tuomas Seimola was outstanding. We enjoyed the trip a lot.

Forrest Rowland
AF, Panama

Forrest is truly a pleasure. His bird-finding skills, both by sight and ear, are phenomenal, but even more striking is his singular personality and people skills. Always enthusiastic. Not only would I travel with Forrest again, I preferentially would select a tour if he was guiding.

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