Educational Tours in the Tropics – Panama

Panama’s incredibly culture, history and diversity makes it a paradise for academic and educational tours.

Despite its small size, Panama is one of the most biodiverse places in the world with more plant species than in all of Europe. Our academic expeditions gives you in-depth insights of the natural history and biodiversity of Panama by visiting tropical rainforests, cloud forests, wetlands, mangrove forests and volcanic mountain ranges.

By about 3 million years ago, an isthmus, narrow strip of land with water on either side, had formed connecting North and South America. The formation of the Isthmus of Panama also played a major role in biodiversity, making it easier for animals and plants to migrate between the continents. For instance, in North America today, the opossum, armadillo, and porcupine all trace back to ancestors that came across the land bridge from South America. Likewise, the ancestors of bears, cats, dogs, horses, llamas, and raccoons all made the trek south across the isthmus.

But there is so much more in Panama, as you will discover on this unique academic adventure. Explore the cosmopolitan and vibrant Panama City, learn about the history of the Panama Canal and hike the camino de cruces tail, originally used in the 16^th and 17^th centuries by Spanish plunderers to haul gold from Peru by mule across the Isthmus of Panama on its way to Spain. You will also discover unique wildlife in lowlands and highlands and depending on your program, you can support the efforts of local biologist by helping with tropical surveys, You will also learn about unique ethnic groups by visiting local indigenous communities.

Please, contact us at annie@ecocircuitos.com for details on different programs.

Did you know? Smithsonian biologists were invited to Panama in 1910 during the construction of the Panama Canal. Their surveys of Panama’s flora and fauna were the first steps toward creating a world-class platform for research in the tropics. As a narrow land bridge that separates two oceans and connects the biodiversity of two continents, Panama’s rich ecosystems promises to keep researchers busy for another hundred years.