COIBA ISLAND AND CERRO HOYA NATIONAL PARKS 8 days/ 7 nights
Tour dates: May 12-19, 2025, monday to monday.
Guides: Øyvind Martinsen, and a biologist.
Maximum 6 persons pr. tour.
Explore coastal Panama!
On this photo tour we will explore the coastal environments at Isla de Coiba National Park.
On the mainland we will also explore Cerro Hoya National Park , and other interesting locations for nature photography.
We will take you to these locations so the only thing you need to concentrate on is to take pictures and enjoy your tour.
Panama is home to 1012 different kinds of birds, 220 mammals, 175 amphibious species, 240 reptiles, a plethora of beautiful butterflies and an incredible plant life with more than 10,000 species! You are guided through the vast biodiversity as we allow ample opportunity for photography.
In the beginning of the trip we pick you up at your hotel in Panama City, and in the end of the trip we will drop you off at your preferred hotel in Panama City. You need to arrive to Panama the day before the trip starts. We can recommend a hotel for you in Panama City for the first night (not included). The hotel is Albrook Inn, www.albrookinn.com, and it is positioned for a smooth pickup.
Coiba Island National Park
Get ready for a tropical photographic adventure! We pick you up at your hotel in Panama City and drive for 5 hours to our hotel in natural surroundings near the Pacific coast in the Veraguas Province. There we will have a welcome session, and introduce you to the nature and photographic opportunities in the area.
The next morning we leave our hotel and head for Coiba Island National Park in a boat. The boat trip itself is an adventure as we pass along Cebaco island and other small islands.
Because of its unique biodiversity, Coiba Island National Park is on the UNESCO world heritage site list.
At Coiba Island we stay in rooms at the ranger station, and this will be our base for our explorations for the next two days.
At Coiba and the surrounding islands there are lots of opportunities for snorkeling and underwater photography.
You can borrow snorkeling gears for free from us.
On land there are endless photographic opportunities. Isla de Coiba is home to endemic species like the Coiba Howler Monkey, Coiba Agouti, Spider Monkeys, and flocks of Scarlet Macaws to mention a few. In total there are 36 species of mammals, 147 species of birds, and 39 species of amphibians and reptiles on the island.
Normally we see lots of dolphins, sea turtles, and fly fish. In August, September, and October the chances are high to see whales from the boat!
After a morning photography session on the last day at the island we head back to the mainland for more explorations and photographic adventure.
Cerro Hoya National Park and other locations
On this part of the trip we stay at our nice, small, and modern hotel on the mainland. From there we will go on daytrips to various locations. One of the locations is Cerro Hoya National Park, which is one of the most unexplored national parks in Panama. The park has thousands of plants and tree species, and the most visible trees large trees are Mahogany, Cuipo, Espave, Gold Tree, Savannah Oak, Spiny Cedar, Barrigon, and Silk Cotton Tree. It has an astonishing natural beauty inside the primary forest and cloud forest. Here we can find birds like the Great Green Macaw, sometimes Scarlet Macaws, King Vulture, Osprey, Mangrove Black Hawk, and the endemic Azuero Painted Parakeet. There are also mammals like White-tailed Deer, Agouti, Jaguar, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Puma, Paca, Azuero Spider Monkey, Azuero Howler Monkey, and Neo-tropical River Otter to mention a few. We do not promise we will see all of these species, but for the prepared photographer there will be endless opportunities.
Nearby we do also find colonies of Magnificent Frigatebird, and herons. In the rivers and ponds we sometimes see Caymans, and American Crocodile. The birds and mammals are one thing; another is all the butterflies, flowers, and frogs you can photograph. Are you interested in landscape photography there are lots of opportunities for stunning landscape photography.
In the evening you can enjoy relaxing in hammocks at the hotel or edit photographs, and listen to the tropical night which is very much alive.
There is a maximum group size of 6 participants. The number of participants is restricted to provide ideal conditions for photography. This is a rare opportunity to go on a tour in a small group that is designed for nature photography.
PRICE: 3950 USD pr. participant (on tours with only one participant add 50% to the price)
Payment terms:
The fee must be paid 6 weeks before the tour. If you cancel your participation in the tour later than 2 weeks before the tour, only 70% of the total amount will be refunded.
Included:
Accommodations, transportation by car and boat, food, drinks, snacks, and refreshments (3 meals a day), national park fees, and guiding. We can also help with photographic instructions. (If needed).
Not included:
International air travel.
Participants must have their own travel insurance.
For bookings send e-mail to: tours@panamaphotoexplorations.com
Welcome to Panama!
