We meet everyone at Balboa Inn in Balboa, adjacent to Panama City, where we'll stay our first 3 nights. We then transfer to the Nattur Nature Center for a 1 night stay, followed by 1 night at the B & B La Estancia on Ancon Hill. After flying to David, we'll stay 2 nights at Hotel Gran Nacional, located 5 minutes from the airport, followed by 2 nights at Hotel Dos Rios in the highland village of Volcan. Finally, we return to Panama City for a last night back at the Balboa Inn where the tour began.
BALBOA INN
Balboa Inn is a small, newly remodeled Bed & Breakfast located at the foot of Ancon Hill not far from the Panama Canal Authority administrative complex. It's just 5 minutes from the domestic airport in a quiet, residential neighborhood. The B & B has a small dining area where a hearty, American-style breakfast is served. It features 9 rooms, all with private bath and hot water showers with good water pressure. Rooms have ceiling fans, room safes, and air conditioning. They've all been nicely redecorated. TOP
NATTUR ECOLODGE
Nattur Ecolodge is located near Sabanitas about 20 minutes drive from the city of Colon. We stay there because it is conveniently located to Achiote Road, the best birding site on the Caribbean side of the Canal Zone. Those staying on the Pacific side have to wake up by 3:30 AM to reach Achiote Road at a reasonable time of morning.
The lodge is environmentally sensitive, is located in a natural area with trees and gardens, and maintains feeders that lure several species of hummingbirds. The lodge is owned and operated by an expert birder and caters to birdwatching and nature tour groups. It consists of a dining room and three chalet-style buildings, each divided into four private rooms. Each chalet has a common area where guests can relax as well as a small outdoor lounge. Rooms feature 2 double beds, good size private bath with hot-water showers, and floor fans but no air conditioning. TOP
B & B LA ESTANCIA
B & B La Estancia is a small bed-and-breakfast with a total of 10 roms located on Cerro Ancon. The top of the hill is a 20-minute walk from the lodge offers wonderful views of the Bridge of Americas, Panama Canal, Amador Causeway, and Panama City. The gardens and surrounding forest are a pleasant oasis in the city where a variety of birds can be viewed from the balconies. A full breakfast is served on the premises each morning. Complimentary tea, coffee, and fruit are available during the day. Rooms are tastefully decorated and feature ceiling fans, air conditioning, twin or queen beds, and private bath. TOP
GRAN NACIONAL HOTEL
The Gran Nacional is a newly renovated hotel located in the heart of David, the provinical capital of Chiriqui in western Panama. It features 3 restaurants including a pizzeria and barbeque as well as a full bar. Rooms are comfortable with one or two beds and private bath with hot water showers. TOP
HOTEL DOS RIOS
Hotel Dos Rios is located about 45 minutes drive from the provincial capital of David in the highlands of western Chiriqui Province. The hotel is very nice and features a comfortable sitting area in the reception, full-service bar, restaurant with with both indoor and outdoor seating, and internet access. The gardens and a small tract of nearby forest attract a variety of birds to the property. The restaurant offers a la carte menus of Panamanian-style cuisine including beef and chicken, as well as pizza and seafood.
Rooms are very clean and feature 2 double beds, private bath with hot water, and TV. Rooms are well ventilated and air-conditioning is unnecessary because of the mild temperatures. Windows in the rooms look out over the gardens. TOP
