With almost 1900 species of birds and 45 species of mammals, Colombia’s rainforests are alive with clamoring monkeys, languid sloths, rare tapirs, and a vast variety of colorful birds. Endemic species flourish—there are 54 mammals, 91 birds, 168 reptiles, and 383 amphibians found only in Colombia. See conservation-minded development in action on a visit to a cocoa farm near Necoclí, where residents are eager to show you the important steps they’re taking to incorporate sustainable practices in their farming while proudly maintaining their cultural traditions. Venture into the back channels of Bahia Cispatá, into the cacophony of birdcalls emanating from dense, healthy mangroves where colorful bird species including snowy egrets, green kingfishers, and rufous-tailed jacamars thrive.
In Panama’s national park in the Canal Zone, a world-record 385 species of birds were once recorded in a single day. The region is carefully conserved by the government since the freshwater coming out of the rainforest is necessary for the locks to operate. Explore the vibrant undersea along the Panamanian coast, including in the San Blas islands where the Guna Yala people are careful not to overfish their reefs. You’ll find a galaxy of vibrant corals, just below the surface, swarming with tropical sea life.
