Panama

If you find yourself in Chiriqui, Panama, Los Cangilones de Gualaca river canyon is a great spot to spend a carefree afternoon, about 40 minutes by bus from the David Terminal. The water is warm and welcoming, and also plenty deep, so don't worry about diving in.This is a safe area for bringing c...

This best-kept-secret, beautiful location is starting to become more popular, but still remains a low key, relatively secluded area – San Blas is made up of more than 2,000 islands, after all.You will first need to take a car to Carti, around $25 per seat. At the border, you will be required to s...

The hike to Jaguar Falls is an out of this world experience. You start out at the Kalu Yala base camp, which you can get yourself to by booking here. They are a sustainability institute that hosts visitors in addition to their long term students. The chances of you hopping on this hike with a mem...

To get to Gunko Wall, you can ask any taxi driver in Boquete to take you to "Los Ladrillos". The wall is right off the road, being absolutely impossible to miss. That being said, there is still ample room to belay, park your car, etc.  The rainy season in Boquete is from August to November, which...

Getting to the Mana Wall from Boquete, you can ask a taxi driver to take you to "Los Ladrillos" then when you arrive at the Gunko Wall (highlighted in another Outbound Adventure), just continue 100 meters down the road and the Mana Wall will be on your left. If you are driving, parking is best in...

Starting from the Kalu Yala base camp, you go right out of the main gate. This road goes immediately downhill. Once you hit the Pacora River, stay on the near side, continuing on the road to the right. Walk past the gate of Parque Pacora. Once you hit the river, cross over it on foot. It is easie...

This place is called Paradise for a reason. Starting off from the Kalu Yala base camp (you can learn more about staying at their site here), it is just a ten minute hike to the swimming hole. Through the main gates, you go right (downhill) to the river crossing. Cross the Pacora, and then start w...

This hike starts at the Kalu Yala base camp. You will most likely be able to grab an outdoor rec or biology intern to go with you on this hike, but it is easy enough to find on your own. From the main gate, go right onto the road, immediately taking you downhill to the Pacora River. Stay on the r...

The Honey Creeper Trail, named after the rare Honey Creeper bird that can be found there, is the "base camp" trail of the Kalu Yala community. It is a loop that starts in their town square, heads up the nearest hill, taking you immediately into the depths of the jungle, and quickly has you back i...

You start this hike from Kalu Yala's town center. You can find more information out about there and make bookings to camp with them here. From town center, you go out of the main gate and take a left. Follow the main road through three river crossings. Immediately after the third river crossing, ...

Bird Island is a very small rocky island covered in lush vegetation.  It's famous for being a tropical bird sanctuary.  Many native and migratory bird species nest here.  This is the only place in Panama where you can see the red-billed chough, famous for its long tail feathers. It is also one o...

Dolphin Bay, locally known as Laguna Bocatoriti, is popular boating destination in Bocas del Toro and for good reason. The bay hosts pods of dolphins throughout most of the year. June and July are especially good for spotting dolphins as the rougher seas surrounding the islands make the calm wate...

Starfish beach is a large beach with many small restaurants and bars making this a fun place to spend the afternoon. The waters here are crystal clear and calm for most of the year, with the exception of a few northerly swells that the island receives in November and December.  There is a high co...

Boca del Drago is one of the best beaches on the island, though the surf can be rough at times. This beach is on the Northern end of the island so its not as protected from the large swells in the open ocean. Just offshore from the beach is a patchy coral and sand sea bottom that offers good snor...

The Zapatillas Islands fall inside the boundaries of the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. The marine park covers an area of more than 13,000 hectares including the Zapatilla Islands and several other small islands in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. To get to the island there are many differ...