My June 2010 trip to Panama was perfect and unforgettable in so many ways. I was in Panama as a guest of Raúl Arias de Para, the visionary who founded both the Canopy Tower and Canopy Lodge. My first morning in Panama was enjoyed at the Tower but I actually got to know the lodge first. Let me assure you, the Canopy Lodge is the consummate Neotropical ecolodge, endowed with everything a birder or nature lover could ask for!
The Canopy Lodge is located in the town of El Valle de Antón, beloved both because of its unique geology (inside the caldera of an extinct volcano) and remarkable natural attractions. After one enters the gate and cuts through a small trail, a bridge crossing a rocky mountain stream leads to the Lodge’s open-air dining and community space…
Funny story about this bridge, and by funny I actually mean tragic! A Sunbittern, which is a highly coveted tropical waterbird, routinely crosses beneath this bridge during dusk and dawn. I held lonely vigils well before sunrise each morning, gripping the rails while scanning the stream below intently for Sunbittern sign. Alas, the “walking duck” eluded me here and everywhere else I looked, even taunting me one morning with its eerie whistling cry.
One of the Lodge’s main attractions is its dynamic array of bird feeders. While these feeders are dominated by Thick-billed Euphonias and Clay-colored Robins, the rotating cast of characters dropping in for a banana snack is so interesting and unpredictable — even basilisk lizards like to lunch there — that I’ve seen some visitors spend entire days enjoying coffee and keeping feeder lists!
Blue-gray Tanager
Crimson-backed Tanager
On the subject of coffee, the food at the Canopy Lodge was nothing less than amazing and abundant. On the subject of birds, I can happily say the same. In my first hour at the Lodge, I added at least 10 new life birds. An incomplete tally of species seen on the grounds over 3 days includes Palm, Blue-gray, Crimson-backed, Plain-colored, Bay-headed, Golden-hooded, Flame-rumped, and Dusky-faced Tanager, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Variable Seedeater, House and Bay Wren, Chestnut-headed Oropendula, Gray-headed Chachalaca, Rufous-capped Warbler, Bat Falcon, Snail Kite, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Orange-billed Sparrow, Scaled Pigeon, and Amazon Kingfisher. Southern Rough-winged Swallows, so much more handsome than their northern counterparts, swarmed everywhere as did the aforementioned euphonias and robins. A variety of hummingbirds visit the Canopy Lodge’s feeders but I most saw Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds with a smattering of Stripe-throated (Little) Hermit, Violet-headed Hummingbird, and Green Thorntail. Also note that as day fades to night, the hummingbird feeders are taken over by adorable Orange Nectar Bats!
Thick-billed Euphonia
Clay-colored Robin
The Canopy Tower possesses a certain utilitarian charm as a result of its military history. The Canopy Lodge, on the other hand, is pure eco-luxe! Not only was my room spacious, gorgeous, and comfortable…
…but the view from my balcony was lush and lovely with colorful birds. I’m on record as declaring anyplace from which I can see Blue-gray Tanagers from my room a birding paradise so I’m placing the Canopy Lodge in the pantheon!
Simply put, the Canopy Lodge in central Panama is amazing in every way a visiting birder or nature lover could want. Every aspect of the lodge itself, from the food and accommodations to the staff and service, meets or exceeds expectations. Even better, the Canopy Lodge lies in close proximity to a plethora of top-notch birding sites I can’t wait to tell you about. Better still, the guides at the Lodge that I traveled with — Danilo and Tino — were among the most skilled I’ve ever seen. Seriously, the guides at the Canopy Lodge are world-class. Plus, the Lodge perfectly complements the Tower, so smart travelers will spend time at both.
Mike with Raúl Arias de Para
If you’re lucky, you’ll get a chance to enjoy a meal with Raul himself. Ask Raul about the history of the Canopy Lodge and the Canopy Tower, as well as his own long and rich experience as a birdwatcher and lodge owner. And if you want to make him as happy as you’ll undoubtedly be as his guest, ask Raul about his record-setting bunch of bananas…
Hi Mike,
For my 60th (yikes!) birthday this December we are hoping to visit Panama. I’d love to include the Canopy in my trip. Can you recommend any websites that would help us plan a trip?
Thanks!
Hi Patty,
What a way to celebrate a major milestone! I recommend you contact the Canopy Tower or Lodge directly. Their staff can help you organize your trip between the two locations and Panama City (e.g. Miraflores Locks, very impressive.) Your comment also prompts me to add that both the Lodge and the Tower do an excellent job at setting up birding excursions tailored to the capabilities of guests. While at the Lodge, I went on more aggressive trips while other guests chose more low-impact birding options.
Nice, very nice place.
Mike – I can’t believe you missed the Sunbittern too. I’m wondering of it actually exists now we both missed it from the SAME bridge! But what a superb place eh…I’d love to go back and spend a week or more there. Excellent.
Sounds like a great place! Sorry to hear that you missed the “walking duck”. Yeah, that bird can be a real pain to see except maybe out on the llanos of northern South America.
Cool, thanks for the post im going for my 1st time in 2 days!
Mike that really looks fantastic! It looks something right out of a movie, it seems to have a sense of calm and tranquility about and a heaven for bird lovers. I think I will recommend this place to my partner, hopefully we can visit it someday
Hey thanks for that blog
Mike: How much I enjoyed your post re C Lodge. I am a birder, and while our group was staying at the Tower in ’07, visited the Lodge with Carlos Bethancourt briefly. I will be going to the Lodge in early June. Are the rooms air-conditioned?
Hi Susan, I don’t recall if the rooms at the Lodge are air-conditioned but they are definitely comfortable. I slept very well there!
Hi, Mike: Glad I bumped into these posts! Doing the Canopy Tower and Lodge for 1 week each mid June. So excited! Wondering about the weather, though. Since you went about the same time last year can you tell me what you experienced? How hot was the Tower area? How cool was the Lodge area? Do you need a jacket? What about rain? I hear it’s mainly at night or in the middle of the day, not interfering with the morning and afternoon birding – true? I don’t want to bring along too much unnecessary stuff!
Also enjoyed the posts by James – he’s awesome. Love his show…
Thanks!
Hi Peggy, you couldn’t be going to a better place, you lucky birder you! You’ll never forget your week at the Tower and Lodge.
I don’t remember being uncomfortably hot at any point. As you learned, rain usually comes midday but you should be prepared for morning or afternoon showers. I forgot my Gore-Tex rain jacket but got along just fine with an umbrella to protect my camera when needed. Still, bring a light, waterproof shell if you can. You are visiting the rainforest after all!
You’re going to have an awesome time with phenomenal birds in the company of some of the finest guides I’ve ever met. You won’t go wrong with Raul and his team. Give them all my best and let us know how your trip goes!
Thanks, Mike.
I am doing my homework now trying to memorize all the birds I might see. I know the guides will be fantastic, but I like to be able to know the birds that I am seeing. It’s kind of a daunting task, though! I will try to keep good notes and write a trip report. There aren’t too many on their website about this time of year and since I would find it useful, I think others might, as well.
Oh, I forgot to ask you about mosquitos – how bad are they?
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. The canopy lodge really sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing your blog.
Hi Mike
My husband and I are visiting Canopy Lodge in April (yay!!) We are doing a la carte rather than package birding trips so we have to choose. I am wondering which of the trails/ trips you recommend.
Thanks!!
Hi Kathy, I’m very excited for you. All the options at the Lodge are amazing. I really enjoyed Altos del Maria, Las Minas, and Cara Iguana. The Canopy Adventure site also has a bunch of great birds and kinkajous. Enjoy!!