We meet everyone at the Balboa Inn in Panama City, where we'll stay our first 3 nights. We then transfer to the Nattur Ecolodge for a 1 night stay before returning to the Pacific side for 1 night at the B&B La Estancia. After flying to David, we'll stay 4 nights at Los Quetzales Lodge. Finally, we return to Panama City where we spend our final night 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
LOS QUETZALES INN
Los Quetzales Inn is located about an hour's drive from the provincial capital of David on the slopes of Volcan Baru. The main hotel where we'll stay is in the town of Guadalupe. Amenities at the hotel include a full bar and lounge, restaurant with gourmet meals, an in-house bakery, private riverside health spa, hot tubs, exercise room, and laundry service. It also provides a reading room with internet access.
Rooms are very comfortable and meet standards expected by international travelers. They feature king or queen beds, private bath, hot water, and room service. TOP
