About the Darién
The Darién is Panama's wildest region and one of the least-birded corners of Central America. Its lowland forest, rivers and swamps hold many species found nowhere else in the country. Our Darién trips are run with our long-time local partner in the Darién, whose guides know the Harpy Eagle nests and the trails to reach them.
Visiting the Darién takes some planning: we bird only in areas that are safe for visitors, we take care of the permits and border-police registration (bring your passport), and we always have a Plan B with excellent birding.
Trip formats
Basic trip, Harpy Eagle focus (4 days)
- Day 1: pickup in Panama City and drive to Metetí, birding on the way.
- Days 2–3: birding tours around Metetí and a day searching for the Harpy Eagle.
- Day 4: drive back to Panama City. Extra birding days can be added.
Camping trip to Cerro Pirre
The same structure, with nights camping in the forest to reach the Pirre highlands and their endemic birds. A cook and one or two porters carry the equipment.
Longer Darién trip (7 to 12 days)
The classic route, with stops on the way to Metetí: Lake Bayano, Tortí, the San Francisco Reserve, Santa Fe de Darién and other hotspots. Ask us for the itinerary.
What's included
- All land and water transportation, from and back to Panama City
- Lodging at a local hotel in Metetí (or camping gear, cook and porters on the camping trip)
- Bilingual bird guide with spotting scope and field guide, plus local Darién guides
- Breakfasts, and lunch on tour days
- All park fees, permits, entry fees and taxes
Dinners are not included, on purpose: the hotel in Metetí has a restaurant, and a microbrewery and a pizza place are a short walk away, so you choose what you feel like each evening.
Birds to look for
Main targets
- Harpy Eagle
- Crested Eagle (rare)
- Black Oropendola
- Gray-cheeked Nunlet
- Spectacled Parrotlet
- Golden-green Woodpecker
- Yellow-tailed Oriole
Ask us for the full Darién list; it changes with the itinerary and the season.
Practical information
Lodging
Simple, clean and safe rooms with air conditioning. Don't expect luxury: this is frontier country.
Fitness
Easy to moderate walks most days; the Harpy Eagle day and the Pirre camp need good fitness, mud and some hills.
What to bring
Passport (for the police checkpoints), rubber boots, rain gear, insect repellent and light long-sleeved clothes.
When to go
The dry season (about January to April) is easiest, but the Darién can be birded all year.
