One of the Most Bio-diverse Places in Central America

Panama rainforest is one of the most researched tropical rainforests in the world. Currently, the forest covers around 58% of the total land area of Panama (Ref: UN Food and Agriculture Organization).

Rainforest is found not only on the mainland but also on Panamanian islands. One of them, Barro Colorado Island, was formed after its nearby area had been flooded for the construction of the canal. The island is almost completely forested and is probably the most famous part of Panama rainforest.

Currently, Barro Colorado Island, together with the five neighboring mainland peninsulas, forms the Barro Colorado Nature Monument.

Another Panamanian island worth mentioning is Coiba. It is located in the Pacific Ocean and is the biggest island in Central America. Around 75% of Coiba’s territory is covered by the rainforest a large tract of which is still in pristine condition.

Biodiversity

Panama is an extremely bio-diverse country. It hosts more than 9,915 known species of plants, 218 species of mammals, 302 species of birds, 242 species of reptiles and 182 species of amphibians. Really quite impressive!

Typical tropical animals such as sloths, jaguars , iguanas, poison dart frogs , armadillos, tapirs, harpy eagle (Panama’s national bird), to name just a few, call Panama rainforest their home.

Panama is also home to many endangered animals such as the Panamanian golden frog and the pygmy three-toed sloth which are now listed as critically endangered.

Deforestation of the Rainforest in Panama

 

At the beginning of the 20th century, Panama rainforest had lost much of its cover as well as biodiversity during the Panama Canal construction . We will probably never find out just how many plant and animal species disappeared as a result of it.

Like many other rainforests around the world, Panama rainforest is under constant pressure exerted by a whole host of agents, for the purposes of economic and social development. And this obviously leads to the country’s rainforest destruction.

Alongside the clearance of the rainforest for cash crops (such as bananas and coffee), timber logging operations and subsistence farming, the most important cause of deforestation in Panama since the 1960s has been cattle ranching that requires conversion of the forest into pasture lands.

There are also pressures of deforestation from very large development projects promoted by governments and companies which stand to significantly benefit from them. Among such projects is a plan to build a road connecting Panama and Colombia via the Darien rainforest, as well as a so called Plan Puebla Panama whose aim is to create a “development corridor” between Mexico and Panama with a host of roads, airports, dams as well as factories based on cheap labour. In order to protect its rainforests and their biodiversity from the ever present danger of destruction, the Panamanian government established a number of national parks in the country. Some of the most famous of them are Darien National Park, La Amistad National Park (which Panama shares with Costa Rica) and the Coiba National Park.

Panama’s National Rainforest Parks

 

Darien National Park is the largest park in Panama covering an area of 597,000 ha.

It is home to a wide array of plant and animal species: 2,490 species of plants, 169 species of mammals, 533 species of birds, 99 species of reptiles and 78 species of amphibians. Many of these species are endemic. Apart from that, the Darien Park also houses Choco and Cuna Indians.

La Amistad International Park is a transboundary protected area that is administered jointly by Costa Rica and Panama. The Panamanian part of the park covers an area of 207,000 ha. It was created to remove physical borders between the two countries to preserve the traditional migration of animals and humans (specifically, indigenous people).

La Amistad Park is home to one of the largest untouched tracts of rainforest in Central America. It contains numerous species of plants and animals, many of which are also endemic.

Coiba National Park is located on an island in the Pacific ocean covering an area of around 270,000 ha in total (terrestrial area – around 53,000 ha; marine area – around 217,000 ha.

The island contains 858 known species of plants and is rich in marine diversity (specifically, coral diversity. Thanks to their conservation value, these parks attract a lot of attention from international conservation organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy.

Ecotourism in Panama

Panama’s tropical rainforest is important for humanity both as a store of biodiversity and a regulator of global climate patterns. Ecotourism has been put forward as one of the most promising business propositions that can create employment and secure a financially sustainable future for the people living in and around Panama rainforest.

by Joe

(Ohio)

Yes, you are so right to say we create our own present individually and collectively. United States is in a mess because collectively people have created it. People watch the negativity on the TV and believe it. Given into fear people are preparing for this dark future we have created. Anyway, I love to read your Blog and would love to live around people like you, happy, hopeful, peaceful, blissful friendly etc. As soon as I can break free financially I want to join in.

Fabulous surfing in Panama

Panama still remains one of the “best kept secrets” for surfers. You get all the swells of Costa Rica without the crowds. But there’s so much more in the way of riding the waves.

There are great waves breaking on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts up and down Panama. National and international matches of high technical and professional quality are held annually in Panama taking advantage of the enormous waves, particularly of the Panamanian Pacific.

Food and lodging are cheap, and you can use the US dollar for currency.

You can take your own food, but even when you are on the islands, restaurants offer a variety of local and western dishes for an average of $3-5! You can order beef, shrimp, chicken, fish, conch, octopus, etc. to name a few, with any combination of vegetables, rice, beans, French fries, lentils, plantain, and salad. Hamburgers and many other sandwiches are also available. Vegetarian diets are also accommodated. Meals cost an average of $3 to $5, but you can spend up to $10 for say, fresh lobster.

The main season is February through October, but you can get better than descent swells all year around and you never need a wetsuit. The temperature of the water is around 82 to 84 degrees all the time!

A reputable tour is always a good idea and usually includes deals on where to stay. These guys and they always know where the best waves are, with the least amount of traffic.

Santa Catalina

You have to spend at least 2 days Santa Catalina on the Chiriqui Gulf. Literally a tropical paradise, Santa Catalina offers some of the best surf in Panama.

It is the closest access point to Isla Coiba with its world class diving, great local dives and fishing and quiet charm for relaxing. It has beautiful beaches, lush forest and friendly people which make it a great stop for travelers wanting to enjoy some of the best of Panama’s natural beauty and local flair on a minimal budget.

It’s known for its high and long, hollow, waves reaching 20-25 ft with a good swell, with left and right breaks. The best time for the largest swell is between February and August.

It can get a little crowded, (by Panama standards), with up to 30 surfers at a time in Santa Catalina. If you go in the off-season, you will have the breaks all to yourself. Typically you get between 4-15 ft waves in off-season.

The tides can fluctuate up to 18′ between high & low tide creating a variety of conditions and strong tidal push.

Santa Catalina is best at medium to high tide, however when the swell is over 8 feet, you can normally surf right through the low tide. Low tide gets really shallow and hollow with steep drops and very fast falls. The break is a center peak with rights and lefts; however the rights are more perfect and hollow than the lefts.

Low tide can be fun, but with the shallow water comes steep drops and fast falls. It’s best to go at medium tide, here.

San Carlos

If you want a nice day at the beach, there are some smaller breaks near Panama City at Rio Mar in San Carlos.

Cambutal

Cambutal, in the province of Los Santos is another great spot. Cambutal is just as good as Catalina offering powerful breaks both right and left. It never gets as busy as Catalina can. It’s a bit of a drive, 5 hours north-west from Panama City, but it’s worth it. Its 10 miles long, and you’ll find it’s only you and your friends out there 95% of the time.

As with Catalina, the point breaks are the best and they can handle the big swells.

Bocas Islands
If you want perfect waves like in Tahiti, then you’ll want to check out all the places at the islands of Bocas. The awesome beach breaks off the white sandy beaches are still virgin for most surfers. You will see anywhere from 0 surfers to 10. If you feel crowded, it very simple to jump from one spot to the next by water taxi.

You’ll experience steep reef breaks that are tubular and can get at high as 25’. The water is so clear; you’ll see the reef when you surf. It should be noted that the undercurrents here are very strong, so be aware, you’re on your own.

You’ll catch every swell that the Caribbean can bring.

In addition, since there are no hurricanes here, you will still catch some swells from the Atlantic when they’re in the water.

Pedasi

Pedasi-Venado

Venado is on the Azuero peninsula 25 mins drive from Pedasi. It is a place the locals really like to go for” fun” waves. They are not real powerful waves, but they’re a good size. They get as high as 16’, but 6-8 ft waves are the norm at medium tide anytime during season. There are some small beach cabins there, and a restaurant.

Pedasi-Madrono

A sand bottom, fast and hollow left hander breaking close to the beach. Located North of Venado, about a 5 minute drive. then a 20 minute hike through cow pastures and a few small creeks. This place gets slightly larger than Venado, and much more powerful. Must visit this place at medium to low tide.

This is where large sea turtles crawl up on the beach to lay their eggs. You will see a variety of rare birds, colorful fish and turtles at this secluded beach. You will never find a crowd here.

Pedasi-Ciruelo

A rock bottom right point break, breaking over a volcanic rock reef and reeling off of a shallow rock bottom reef for about a 50 yard long ride. Located South of Venado, about a 5 minute drive, but no hiking. This place is usually about the same size as Venado, if not a foot or two bigger. You will never find a crowd here. Must surf this place on mid to low tide.

Pedasi-Destiladeros

A rock bottom right point break, breaking between at the peak between two large boulders and reeling down the rock bottom reef for a fairly long ride with various fun sections, tubes and a very shallow inside tube. There are also three other breaks within walking distance, one left and one right about 300 yards on each side of this point break plus a pebble bottom beach break that breaks rights and lefts with much more power than Venado.

Located about 30 minutes south by car from Venado. This place gets double the size of Venado, but it can only be surfed on a swell, at least when Venado is over 6-7 feet. You will never find a crowd here. Must surf here between medium and high tide.

Panama Links for Wave Reports

For more up-to-date wave conditions and reports in Panama, or for more information, check out the following free pages…

http://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC/ This is a military oceanography site. When you enter, click on “Wave Heights”. For the Caribbean (Atlantic) side surf report, click on “North Atlantic”. For the Pacific side surf report, click on “South Pacific”.

http://facs.scripps.edu/surf/gblpac.html This is the site of NOAA/NCEP WAVEWATCH III Plots. Click on “Mexico / Central America “for the wave report on both the Pacific and Atlantic sides of Panama.