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Nestled amidst the intersection of Central and South America lies a secluded valley enveloped within one of the world’s lowest-elevation cloud forests. This unique habitat in Panama stands as a vital sanctuary for migratory wildlife and harbors a remarkable ensemble of endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else. This richly biodiverse landscape holds immense potential for entomological exploration and discovery. This is also one of the best areas for birdwatching and ornithologists with well over 200+ incredible species recorded in this small reserve. We’ll be staying in a 100% solar, off-grid, hand-built biological field station.
Take a look at their species records on iNaturalist! ->
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Details

Duration: 8 Nights / 7 Days
Dates: June 19th, 2026 - June 27, 2026
Country: Panama
Expedition Language: English
Closest Airport: Tocumen International Airport, Panama City
Accommodation type: 2 night Hotel. 7 nights tent camping on raised platforms
Minimum Age: 18

Solo travelers welcome!
Opens in new window, hosted by Zeffy

ITINERARY

Day 1

Panama City

  • Arrival in Panama City, Panama – Welcome to the vibrant capital city, a hub of culture, history, and biodiversity. Explore world-famous landmarks, local markets, and waterfront districts before the rainforest adventure begins.

  • Pre-Expedition Preparation – Settle into your hotel and enjoy modern amenities before traveling deep into the remote and pristine Panama rainforest.

  • Evening Orientation Dinner – Gather with your expedition team for a welcome meal in Panama City. This is the perfect time to connect with fellow travelers, researchers, and adventure enthusiasts.

  • Rainforest Expedition Briefing – Receive a comprehensive overview of the journey ahead, including the itinerary, field research objectives, wildlife observation opportunities, safety procedures, and environmental conservation guidelines.

  • Team-Building Introduction – Meet your expedition companions and leadership team, as we will be working, living, and exploring together in shared spaces during our immersive rainforest experience.

Day 2

Hello Cocobolo!

  • Breakfast and Departure from Panama City – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding a private bus to the outskirts of Panama City, the gateway to Panama’s lush tropical wilderness.

  • 4×4 Rainforest Transfer – Switch to rugged, off-road 4×4 vehicles for the final leg of the journey deep into the remote and biodiverse Panama rainforest.

  • Arrival and Camp Setup – Upon arrival at the Cocobolo Nature Reserve, settle into your expedition tents and prepare for a fully immersive eco-adventure.

  • Welcome Lunch and Orientation – Share a welcome meal with fellow participants while learning about the reserve’s unique habitats, conservation mission, and wildlife diversity.

  • Guided Rainforest Ecosystem Hike – Explore diverse ecosystems on an afternoon hike led by experienced naturalists, designed to familiarize participants with the local flora, fauna, and terrain.

  • Evening Insect Light Sheet Experience – After dinner, participate in our nightly insect-attraction session using specialized light sheets to observe and document nocturnal insect biodiversity.

Day 3

Research Start

  • Core Research Project – Vertical Stratification Survey of Coleoptera (Beetles) – Participate in the setup of custom-designed Flight Intercept Traps (FITs) to study beetle diversity across vertical layers of the rainforest ecosystem.

  • Hands-On Trap Construction – Work collaboratively to assemble and install FITs in designated research plots, gaining practical skills in entomological field methods.

  • Team-Based Insect Survey Projects – Split into smaller research teams, each assigned a specific insect order as the focus of an individual biodiversity survey project.

  • Field Trek to Research Sites – Hike through diverse rainforest habitats to reach survey locations, actively searching for and documenting insects and spiders along the way.

  • Comparative Sampling Methods – Learn about other entomological collection techniques, including malaise traps, and understand how FITs differ in their target species and sampling efficiency.

Day 4

Life After Dark

  • Morning Research Activities – Continue working on assigned insect and biodiversity survey projects, recording field observations and collecting specimens for later analysis.

  • Afternoon Break & Preparation – Enjoy a rest period to recharge before the evening’s primary nocturnal field activities in the rainforest.

  • Nocturnal Rainforest Exploration – Venture into the tropical forest at night equipped with UV flashlights to observe and document nocturnal insects, spiders, frogs, lizards, and snakes in their natural habitats.

  • Wildlife Photography & Documentation – Capture images and record behavioral notes of unique nocturnal species encountered during the night survey.

Day 5

Aquatic Invertebrate Survey

  • Morning Field Research – Continue work on assigned biodiversity and insect survey projects, collecting data and specimens in designated rainforest study areas.

  • Afternoon at the Mamoni River – Travel to the scenic Mamoni River, a biodiverse freshwater ecosystem within Panama’s tropical rainforest.

  • Aquatic Insect Sampling – Participate in hands-on sifting and sampling activities to study aquatic insects and other freshwater invertebrates, contributing to the expedition’s ecological data collection. Enjoy a refreshing swim or soak in the river, surrounded by pristine rainforest and natural wildlife habitats.

  • Environmental Awareness – Learn about the role of aquatic insects as bioindicators of water quality and the importance of freshwater conservation in tropical ecosystems.

Day 6

The Big Hike

  • Flight Intercept Trap Collection – Retrieve insect specimens from our primary Flight Intercept Traps (FITs) positioned across three distinct rainforest elevation zones.

  • Cloud Forest Trek – Prepare for steep, muddy terrain, high humidity, and changing weather conditions during this hike, ascending to the highest point in the Cocobolo Nature Reserve, deep within Panama’s cloud forest ecosystem. Compare insect diversity and abundance across lowland, mid-elevation, and high-elevation rainforest habitats. Prepare for steep, muddy terrain, high humidity, and changing weather conditions during this physically demanding hike.

  • Immersive Field Experience – Gain firsthand understanding of how altitude influences insect populations, forest structure, and overall biodiversity in tropical ecosystems.

Day 7

Specimen Management

  • Specimen Processing & Preservation – Sort, identify, and preserve insect specimens collected from Flight Intercept Traps (FITs) using professional entomological methods such as pinning and alcohol preservation.

  • Taxonomic Identification & Biodiversity Analysis – Classify specimens to the lowest possible taxonomic level using dichotomous keys, field guides, and iNaturalist, contributing to a comprehensive biodiversity assessment of the rainforest.

  • Optional Wildlife Activities – Join an insect macro-photography workshop to capture detailed images of tropical species, or take part in a guided birdwatching walk to explore Panama’s rich avian diversity.

  • Post-Hike Recovery with Purpose – Enjoy a lighter day following the strenuous cloud forest trek while still making meaningful contributions to the expedition’s scientific research goals.

Day 8

Farewell Dinner & Share Out

  • Final Data Collection & Analysis – Complete all remaining fieldwork, finalize research projects, and enter last-minute iNaturalist observations before the BioBlitz winner is announced.

  • Biodiversity Research Presentations – Share expedition findings with fellow researchers and learn about parallel projects conducted within the reserve.

  • Farewell Dinner & Community Gathering – Celebrate the completion of the expedition with a group dinner, reflecting on shared experiences and scientific achievements.

  • Preparation for Departure – Rest and prepare for the journey back to Panama City and the transition from rainforest fieldwork back to civilization.

Day 9

Farewell Cocobolo!

  • Morning Departure from the Rainforest – After breakfast, board 4×4 vehicles for the journey back to Panama City, leaving the Cocobolo Nature Reserve behind.

  • Panama City Exploration & Relaxation – We release you to enjoy free time to explore the vibrant city. We provide you with a final night to relax in a comfortable hotel with air conditioning, take a refreshing swim, or enjoy a hot shower.  Otherwise, you're free to do what you want now.

Our Partner Station

Cocobolo Nature Reserve is a privately owned reserve managed by CREA: Conservation through Research, Education, and Action.

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Watch the video to see about the station, its mission, and a few extras from our last expedition. 

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And if you'd like to support their great work, you can find more about them by clicking their logo.

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Meet Your Expedition Leaders

Important Disclaimers

We will be spending a majority of our time in dense and humid jungles in wildlife rich areas. We’ll be wading through rivers, climbing trees, and trekking through brush and mud.  You’ll get dirty… and that’s half the fun, however, please consider the disclaimers below.  And keep in mind, all activities are optional, so if you need a rest or don’t feel like participating one day, you’re more than welcome to relax on the property.

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COMFORTABILITY: We do have internet and electricity (the station is 100% solar), but this is a completely off-grid biological field station. You will be sleeping in tents on raised platforms for a majority of our expedition. It’s not a 5-star resort.  While we do provide you with air mattresses, tents, and sleeping bags, please bring whatever else you may need to ensure your comfort in this environment. (I recommend a portable rechargeable fan if you're heat sensitive at night)
Personal space is limited. You will share tent platforms, bathhouses, and common spaces with the rest of the participants, researchers, and field guides.


THERE IS NO HOT WATER – We will have a shared bath-house with shower stalls (cold-water only) and composting toilets.
We’d be happy to try to accommodate any personal requests you have, but please note that resources are limited.

 

MEDICAL: Biting and painful stinging insects as well as venomous snakes and other predators are present. Bullet ants are plentiful - and while they are not fatal or pose long-term risks (unless you have an allergy to hymenoptera venom) their stings are very painful. There has never been a medical emergency at Cocobolo Nature Reserve, but please exercise caution and follow our safety instructions at all times.  We cannot control the wildlife, terrain or weather. If you have any allergies to hymenoptera venom (bees, ants, wasps) please reconsider participation or bring your doctor prescribed epinephrine. While we are Wilderness First Responder Certified, this really only means we’re certified to assess emergency situations and provide extremely basic emergency care… we are not medical doctors.

Our Expedition Includes:

Accommodation:

  • 2 nights accommodation in Panama City for the first and last nights, and all accommodation/station fees at Cocobolo

  • Sleeping bags, air mattresses, and tents

Transportation:

  • Pickup & dropoff from our hotel in Panama City to/from Cocobolo Nature Reserve

Food & Beverage:

    • 1x Dinner in Panama City

    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages throughout stay at Cocobolo. On final day, only breakfast is included.

Staff:

  • Wilderness First Response certified expedition leaders, Cocobolo guides and researchers, drivers, cooks.

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Our Expedition DOES NOT include:

  • Flights

  • Transportation to our hotel on Day 1 - Ubers are plentiful and shouldn't cost more than $20 USD

  • Breakfast or lunch on Day 1

  • Lunch or Dinner on Day 9

  • Toiletries

REQUIRED PACKING:

  • Muck boots

  • 2 large water bottles or large camelbak. 

Suggested packing list:

While we have a lot of experience packing for such field trips, it may be a bit confusing or intimidating if this is your first trip to the tropics. We’ve compiled a list of items you may want to consider below. 

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The following items are non-essential but may come handy:

  • Your favourite snacks (chocolate, cereal bars, trail mix, etc.)

  • Pajamas or night clothes

  • Light fingerless gloves for trekking in the forest (hand protection)

  • Solar camping shower (sorry, we only have cold showers at the field station!)

  • Electronics: camera, phone/tablet, e-reader and chargers

  • USB Power Bank for your phone/tablet/e-reader

  • Biodegradable laundry soap – we have sinks and clothes lines (no washer/dryer)

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