Altos del Maria is an exclusive gated mountain residential community conveniently located at just 1 hour and 20 minutes (113 km – 70 miles) from Panama City and only 25 minutes away (25 km – 15.5 miles) from the Pacific coast beaches with their world-class golfing and shopping.  This is definitely the perfect place to go bird watching.

     The development is placed in 7000+ acre property so beautiful that many areas have the look and feel of a national park. Attractions include panoramic mountain, valley, green belt and Pacific Ocean views, a near perfect spring climate year round (75º F – 24 Cº),

 

 LOCATION 
     Altos del Maria is an exclusive gated mountain residential community conveniently located at just 1 hour and 20 minutes (113 km – 70 miles) from Panama City

TOUR DIFFICULTY

     ■ Easy... to  Moderate... to Hard

FITNESS 
     Easy to moderate walking is required.
     ■ Easy... to  ■ Moderate... to Hard

WHAT TO EXPECT
     With an early morning start expect to see by noon 60 to 80 species. And by the end of the day a final count of 90+ is common. 

AREA DESCRIPTION 
   A first-class infrastructure including miles of paved roads, vast common areas, waterfalls, rivers, hiking trails, observation decks, parks, lookout points, flowers and trees everywhere.

     The avifauna is quite similar to that of El Valle.  We will be birding Altos de la Rioca (at the Continental Divide 1,100m) and the road to El Valle

WEATHER
     A near perfect spring climate year round (75º F – 24 Cº),

ACCOMODATIONS
     Easily done as a day trip. No need of accomodation, but there are apartment for renting.
    
EATING FACILITIES
     There is no restaurant in the area. 

CLOTHING
     Light clothing is recommended: cotton shirts or t-shirts - earth colors preferable- long and short pants, poncho, hiking shoes, hat, insect repellent and sun block. Dress for tropical hot humid weather and be ready for rain. 

GEAR
     Binoculars, scope (optional), field guide, notebook and camera (optional ). 

GUIDE BOOK RECOMMENDED
     These two books are an example of hard work put into, and for the benefit, of conserving Panama’s birds: 
     “A Guide to the Birds of Panama” by Robert S. Ridgely and John A. Gwynne, Jr. Can be described as the “bible” for Panama birds and some Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. The latest edition (1989).This excellent field guide is highly recommended as your primary reference book on the birds. 
     “An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Panama” by Ernesto Ponce and Giselle Muschett, 2006, 1st Edition. It can be described as “a descriptive fieldwork tool” for fast information .

BIRDS TO LOOK FOR
     This is a list of birds - by memory - seen along the Achiote Road and surrounding areas on different tours, and some additions from friends, guess and people who have collaborated sharing with us their sightings. The list is continuously on the move. Feel free to send your findings and comments to gonzalohorna@hotmail.com  Check here for the complete list of Central Panama Birds.