Saturday , Sunday 8:00 a.m
Contact: pttstaff@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.panamatourismtravel.com
We welcome around 200 scientists from around the world every year. Modern, air-conditioned laboratory space, a cafeteria, and accommodations are available for resident researchers, and the Field Research Station features all the necessary infrastructure: offices, labs, growing houses, an insectary, dark room, computer room, dining hall, conference room, visitor’s center, as well as Internet access, telephones, and boat rental services.
The Visit
The Visit Program includes boat trasportation, a guided tour and lunch. The trip beging in the morning departing form Gamboa at 7:15 am on weekdays and at 8:00 a.m on weekends, arriving 45 min ( Jamoca ) to 1/2 later ( Morpho) . The guide will provide visitors with information convering the natural history of the island , and prepare the group for the trail walk. The walk take between 2 1/2 to 3 hours , and includes explanations about the differents interactions that take place in the forest . The tour includes a visit to the Visitor's Center, where you will find and exhibition summarizing the most important point discussed along the trail.
After the Visitors Center , you will head to the dinning hall of a cafeteria style lunch featuring a varity of dishes along with a vegeterian section. Following lunch, there will be time to ask questions and relax . The Boat to Gamboa depart at 3:40 p.m during weekday (arrivies at 4:10 p.m) and at 2:30 p.m arrives at 3:00 pm (Gamboa ) on weekendes .
A trip through the Canal
The boat ride across Gatun Lakes takes between 45 minutes to an hour and presents a wonderful opportunity to see a panoramic view of the Canal waterway and its spectarular forest shorelineA Walk in the Forest
Once you arrive at Barro Colorado you will have time to prepare for a walk along one of our interpretative nature trails, whether on the Island itself or on one of the peninsulas. The trails are about 2 Km long and may be quite steep, but you will stop frequently, having time to rest and enjoy the sights, and to learn more about the natural history of the place.
In addition to beging of great importance to the international scientific comunity , Barro Colorado and adjacent Soberania National Park provide legal protection to one fouth of the remaining forest in the Panama Canal Watershed. Soberania National Park and Barro Colorado also provide refuge to nearly 50% of all the birds and mammal species reported in Panama.
Barro Colorado Island alone is home to 115 mamal species , including 72 species of bats , 5 species of monkey , agoutis, tapirs, coatimundis, sloths and peccaries. It's botanical wealthis is similarly impressive: more than 1,200 plant species can be found on the Island.
Visitor Center
The Visitor's Center is located in the Field Research Station , a historic building dating from 1924, it was the first laboratory on Barro Colorado and also served as a dormitory and dinning hall. Today , it houses a small display about research projects underway on the island . You can also learn more about the natural history of Barro Colorado through a hand on exhibit. In the Espave store you can purchase books and other mementos of your visit.
Lunch
A cafeteria style with vegetarian options is served at 1:00 pm
What to Bring ?
T-shirt or light , long sleeved shirt , Long Pants , hat , ID , passport, Socks and Walking shoes, bottlle of water , rain jacket (recommended between April and December), insect repellent,Optionals : camara, binoculars, change clothes, masking tape ( to tape socks over pants) , pencil, notebook .
You can bring something along to eat in the boat , but remember to have good breakfast before the trip . Medications in case of allergies
