In the upper elevations of western Panama, with a range of hummingbirds, warblers, tanagers, finches, and Quetzals not found on other Panama tours, and perched at the edge of La Amistad International Park, a million-acre reserve that straddles the Costa Rican border, Los Quetzales Ecolodge sits among flower-lined paths and stream-fed pools stocked with huge rainbow trout. Trout are served with organic vegetables grown in their premises, a twenty room lodge in Guadalupe and 6 cabins in the pristine cloudforest, within two parks.
Perched astride the Panama/Costa Rica border in a chain of volcanic mountains that host one of the most unique avifaunas in Central America a visit to Guadalupe offers a plethora of distinctive bird species, attractive lodging, and a pleasantly cool mountain climate.
Of course, the true glamour bird here is the Resplendent Quetzal, and they are truly breathtaking. But what about Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Blue-throated Toucanet, Fiery-billed Aracari, Red-headed Barbet, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Turquoise Cotinga, Collared Redstart, and Flame-throated Warbler? The hummingbird show alone is worth the trip, with such gems as Volcano Hummingbird, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, White-throated Mountain-gem, and the spectacular Violet Sabrewing among the myriad possibilities, many of which could be swarming around feeders right outside your rooms or cabins.
A delightful lodge in the small town of Guadalupe were you will enjoy charming accommodations, great food, and truly wonderful hospitality in addition to exceptional birding with easy to moderate terrain; moderate trail walking; mild to cool temperatures.
Courtesy of Kevin Zimmer - Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
"The perfect place to get away from it all-or, for the birder, to be in the middle of it all! The delightful hospitality of Ana Maria and Carlos and their staff is rivaled only by the quality of the birding right at the lodge, where a profusion of hummingbirds can be studied at leisure and everything from silky-flycatchers to challenging furnariids move through the beautiful gardens. But the birding gets only better as you climb, and a morning up at the cabins is bound to be among the highlights of any birder's visit, with Large-footed and Slaty Finches particularly easy to observe. Resplendant Quetzals are incredibly cooperative here, and the strange little Zeledonia sings from the forest. I can't wait to come back, so fire up the ovens and get the Anna Cake ready!" - Dr. Rick Wright, Writer, Editor, Professional Guide
"The river outside my room lulled me to sleep each night, the grounds are spectacular, but for me, as a birder, the BIRDS right on your grounds were awesomely outstanding. What a huge variety of highland specialties, and in such a short period of time! Everyday, we started out very early for destinations within a short distance of your lodge, but in the short time between waking and leaving for the day, I observed 34 stunning species. How many more could I have found during the day?!!" - Darlene S., Tucson, AZ
