Birding Bash: A Tranquilo Bay Takeover

Overview

If you’ve dreamed of an escape to an island paradise that’s teeming with hundreds of species of birds and exotic creatures, and a trip dedicated to exploring every crevice of it, then you won’t want to miss this (literally) immersive exploration of Panama’s Caribbean coast. ​

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Dates: September 5-12, 2026

Cost: $2,500 per person/double occupancy
$3,400pp/single occupancy | $1,500pp/quadruple occupancy
Limited rooms available; ask Mollee for availability. 

Included: Lodging, professional guides, all mentioned excursions, all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, binoculars if needed, and all taxes.

Flight to Panama and domestic flight costs from Panama City to Bocas del Toro are not included. 

Group size: Max 18 plus three guides. It’s a bash! 
Guides: Mollee Brown, Brenda Sanchez, and Roger Morales

We’re buying out the entire ecolodge (nine cabanas total) for a weeklong birding bash filled with all the sights, sounds, good eats, special adventures, and fun times that we can manage!

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We’ll be based at Tranquilo Bay’s incredible private cabanas that are tucked into the junction of picturesque rainforest, luscious mangrove thickets, and a full kilometer of coastline all to ourselves. Each day, we’ll check out a different location and aspect of the surrounding Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park via hikes, boat rides, kayaking, snorkeling, and the onsite canopy-height observation tower. We’ll spend dedicated time marveling at iconic animals such as three-toed sloths, several species of poison dart frogs, critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles, and capuchins and night monkeys, all while enjoying each bird species we encounter along the way. 

It’s hard to guess which excursion will be your favorite—contenders include a comfortable boat ride up a historic canal with a beachside picnic lunch, followed by a stop at Bird Island to observe thousands of nesting frigatebirds and tropicbirds that surround us; kayaking up a small creek to a thrilling exploration of an active bat cave; or a full day of birding on the mainland clear up the slope to the cloud forests along the continental divide. Then again, our frequent sunset observations from the canopy tower at Tranquilo, a spur-of-the-moment swim in the bay, night hikes that will surely lead to exciting finds, or our guided snorkeling adventures might take the cake for you. 

We’ll balance our exciting activities with plenty of free time to explore Tranquilo Bay’s private 200 acres on your own—or relax in your cabana, or enjoy photography from the hummingbird bathing pools or the tower, or whatever floats your fancy! Speaking of floating, kayaks and snorkels are always available at the dock throughout our stay. Our locally-sourced meals and social hours will be at the cozy eating area and peaceful balconies surrounding it. Hot showers, air conditioning, and luxurious beds await us each night. Plus, we’ll learn of Tranquilo’s commitment to supporting local economies and many measures of environmental sustainability each day. 

Tranquilo Bay is on Bastimentos Island, and we access it via a boat ride from the mainland. We’ll use boats daily to get to nearby islands and spend ample time in kayaks, snorkeling, and swimming. Therefore, this trip is ideal for water lovers. Our hikes will be no more than a few miles each on moderate terrain; to get to the top of the observation tower, we’ll go up several flights of stairs. We’re traveling in the rainy season (lovingly referred to as “green season”!), so an occasional afternoon shower will likely occur, and we’ll adjust our schedule as needed to accommodate. Watching a heavy tropical downpour from a comfortable covered hammock in sleepy post-lunch bliss is a bucket list experience in itself! 

Whether you’re a seasoned birder, an all-around nature enthusiast, or eager to learn more about the Neotropics, you’ll feel at home. We lead tours worldwide and focus on tailored experiences celebrating the natural world. Here, we’re joined by Tranquilo’s resident naturalist, Brenda Sánchez, an expert on local avifauna, mammals, herps, and ecosystems. Ready to escape yet? We’ll meet you in Panama!

Daily Itinerary

Our week will be a mix of time onsite at Tranquilo Bay and several excursions to surrounding islands, canals, and the mainland. 

At Tranquilo Bay, we’ll have the place to ourselves to explore via trails, kayaks, and at the tower — plus feeders are ample, and snorkeling gear is always available. 

Our itinerary is subject to small changes, but here’s an idea of what to expect. 

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Day 1: Arrival in Bocas Del Toro and Tranquilo Bay | Tour of the grounds and sunset at the tower

Day 2: Mainland birding: Fortuna Forest to the Continental Divide

Day 3: Isla Popa Birding and Frogs | Afternoon onsite | Night hike

Day 4: Zapatilla Cayes Beach | Afternoon onsite 

Day 5: San San Pond Sak Wetlands National Park | Bird Island

Day 6: Lowland birding | Afternoon onsite | Night hike

Day 7: Snorkeling | Afternoon onsite

Day 8: Morning birding | Departures 

Daily Routines

We’re striving to immerse ourselves in this location. We’ll opt for quality time in nature—we’re not just checking species off a list as fast as possible. We will often focus on birds, but also spend time with other wildlife, plants, and anything that piques our interest.

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  • Our days are active without being strenuous: hikes are moderate, snorkeling is easygoing, and while we’ll be on boats often, no experience is required.
  • We’ll have some early mornings. When we’re basing from the lodge, you can join at any time, but for boat-based days, you might have to wake up early to catch our departure. It’s all optional, and you can always stay behind to enjoy the lodge and trails on your own if you want to sleep in. 
  • The cabanas are suuuper comfy and spacious, the food is completely delicious, and the staff is incredible and invested in Tranquilo Bay’s mission. 

Booking Information

We have limited space available and expect to sell out. Contact Mollee to confirm your spot and finalize your registration.

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