Here’s a nature-lover’s guide you can use around Panama, especially in the cloud forests near Boquete and the trails around Volcán Barú National Park — basically your backyard if you’re exploring from Lost and Found Hostel. It’s written so you can print and take it with you.
Panama is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth for its size. Mountains, cloud forests, jungles, and coastal zones all stack together in a small area, which means you can see an incredible variety of animals in just a few days. The highlands of Chiriquí are especially rewarding because elevation changes create multiple habitats within a short hiking distance.
Wildlife spotting here isn’t about safaris — it’s about patience, quiet walking, and looking closely. Many animals blend into the forest. The reward is that every hike feels like a treasure hunt.
The checklist below is designed for travelers and volunteers exploring trails, farms, and forest edges. It focuses on species you actually have a realistic chance of seeing.
Birds of the Panamanian Highlands
Panama is a world hotspot for birdwatching. Even beginners spot colorful species within minutes on a forest trail.
The most famous bird of the highlands is the resplendent quetzal. Seeing one feels like spotting something mythical.
Toucans are easier to see than people expect. Their calls often give them away before their bright beaks do.
Hummingbirds are everywhere in Boquete’s cooler climate. Coffee farms are especially good places to watch them.
Hawks and other raptors glide above open valleys on warm mornings.
Large forest birds like guans and chachalacas move noisily through treetops.
Printable Bird Checklist
☐ Resplendent quetzal
☐ Keel-billed toucan
☐ White hawk
☐ Rufous-tailed hummingbird
☐ Volcano hummingbird
☐ Black guan
☐ Orange-bellied trogon
☐ Collared redstart
☐ Mountain thrush
☐ Chachalaca
Lizards and Reptiles
Reptiles are a constant presence in warm and humid environments. Many are small and harmless.
Green iguanas are among the most recognizable reptiles. They often rest in trees near water.
Basilisk lizards are famous for running across water surfaces. Locals call them “Jesus Christ lizards.”
Anoles are small color-changing lizards commonly seen on tree trunks and walls.
Geckos often appear around lights at night, hunting insects.
Large snakes exist but are rarely encountered by hikers who stay on trails.
Printable Reptile Checklist
☐ Green iguana
☐ Basilisk lizard
☐ Anole lizard
☐ Leaf-toed gecko
☐ Boa constrictor
☐ Forest skink
☐ Glass lizard
☐ Tree boa
Mammals of the Cloud Forest
Mammals are harder to see but incredibly rewarding. Many are active at dawn or dusk.
Coatis are among the most commonly seen mammals. They travel in groups and forage on the forest floor.
Sloths move slowly but are surprisingly common once you learn to spot them in treetops.
Howler monkeys are often heard long before they are seen. Their calls echo across valleys.
Agoutis resemble large forest rodents and are frequently seen along trails.
Kinkajous are nocturnal and rarely seen, but they inhabit the same forests.
Printable Mammal Checklist
☐ White-nosed coati
☐ Three-toed sloth
☐ Howler monkey
☐ Spider monkey
☐ Agouti
☐ Kinkajou
☐ Opossum
☐ Nine-banded armadillo
Popular Insects You’ll Notice First
Insects are the most visible wildlife in Panama. They are essential to the ecosystem and often surprisingly beautiful.
Blue morpho butterflies flash bright blue wings as they glide through forest light.
Leafcutter ants form organized highways across trails, carrying pieces of leaves above their heads.
Stick insects are masters of camouflage and often mistaken for twigs.
Heliconia butterflies gather around tropical flowers.
Some species like bullet ants exist but should simply be observed from a distance.
Printable Insect Checklist
☐ Blue morpho butterfly
☐ Leafcutter ants
☐ Heliconia butterfly
☐ Stick insect
☐ Rhinoceros beetle
☐ Fireflies
☐ Orchid bee
☐ Bullet ant
Tips for Wildlife Spotting in the Highlands
Early morning is the best time for animals. Forests are quieter and cooler.
Move slowly and pause often. Wildlife appears when you stop rushing.
Listen more than you look. Many species reveal themselves through sound.
Cloud forest edges — like trails around your area near Lost and Found — are especially productive because habitats overlap.
Bring binoculars if you have them. Even simple ones change the experience completely.