Expedition Panama

This research expedition is a collaborative project between the Global Entomology Coalition and CREA: Conservation through Research Education and Action

Expedition Panama

The Forgotten Valley

Nestled amidst the intersection of Central and South America lies a secluded valley enveloped within one of the world’s lowest-elevation cloud forests. Cocobolo Nature Reserve is a privately owned reserve managed by CREA: Conservation through Research, Education, and Action. This unique habitat in Panama stands as a vital sanctuary for migratory wildlife and harbors a remarkable ensemble of endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else. This richly biodiverse landscape holds immense potential for entomological exploration and discovery. We’ll be staying in a 100% solar, off-grid, hand-built biological field station.

Check Availability
$3,499 USD / per person

Duration: 8 Nights / 7 Days
Dates: Jan 24th, 2025 – Feb 1st, 2025
Country: Panama
Expedition Language: English
Closest Airport: Tocumen International Airport, Panama City
Accommodation type: 1 night Hotel. 7 nights tent camping on raised platforms
Minimum Age: 18
Minimum participation: 6
Maximum participation: 11

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Panama City

  • Welcome to Panama City! Feel free to explore until we meet at our hotel before heading into the heart of the Panama rainforest tomorrow. Get your hot shower in while you can.
  • We’ll meet for dinner for an informal briefing on what you can expect during our expedition, and to get to know each other. This is important, as we’ll be working, living, and sharing much of our space together.

Day 2 – Hello Cocobolo!

  • After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll load up onto a bus bound for the outskirts of Panama City, where we’ll transfer to the necessary 4×4’s for the rest of our journey deep into the rainforest.
  • Upon arrival we’ll gather for lunch. Our hosts will provide us with some information about the reserve and we’ll have a quick safety briefing. We’ll discuss our research objectives and planned field “work”.
  • After dinner, we’ll end the night as we will every night we’re at Cocobolo…. with our insect light sheet for a look at the insect diversity of the region.

Days 3-8 – Our Work Begins

The activities listed below are the highlights for our next 6 days.

  • Expedition Entomology Research Project – Our top priority is the Expedition Entomology research project. Each day we’ll work on our joint research initiative which could entail any of the activities listed below along with fascinating research techniques and behavioral analyses.
  • Aquatic Insect – We’ll wade into the Mamoni River to record the benthic macroinvertebrate (aquatic insect) populations to contribute to a river health survey.
  • Pitfall Traps – We’ll create and dig our own pitfall traps.  Each participant will have their own pitfall trap to monitor over the course of our stay at Cocobolo. This is a great method to discover ground-dwelling invertebrates such as beetles, millipedes, centipedes, spiders, etc.
  • Canopy Research – We may have the opportunity to assist in camera trapping and research needs of the endangered Margay while recording canopy insect diversity.
  • Guided Treks – We will go on several treks designed to discover insects using tracking methods such as leaf-miner activity, presence of frass, nesting activity, and feeding evidence.  Armed with our UV flashlights, we’ll also take a night trek or two to find elusive nocturnal species.
  • Bioblitz – Using the iNaturalist App on our phones, we’ll contribute to a global biodiversity project at Cocobolo with our ongoing “bioblitz”.
  • Insect Light Sheet – We’ll end every night with our Mercury Vapor and/or UV light set up to attract thousands of insects from the comfort of our camp.  This is a relaxing way to visualize the incredible diversity of insect life in the reserve. (Head nets are recommended for those with long hair, or if you just don’t like insects flying into your face).

We’ll have a farewell dinner on our final night, and review all of our hard work with some other fun activities.

Day 9 – Depart for Panama City

  • We’ll have breakfast before departing for your accommodations (not included, but we can arrange for you… just ask!) or other destinations in Panama City.

Meet Your Expedition Leaders

Michael Roy Ph.D

Leader of Research & Field Ops

Michael’s passion for conservation led him to create CREA in 2003 and start working on what is now Cocobolo Nature Reserve in 2005. He helped build the station with support from local communities and now currently leads operations, fundraising and likes to get lost in tropical forests and teach when not doing other less important things.

Jace Porter

Leader of Entomology Programs

Jace is a Wilderness First Response certified entomologist, conservationist and naturalist. He’s the founder of the Global Entomology Coalition and Educator with the New England Insectarium. The only thing he loves more than insects and spiders, is talking about insects and spiders.

Cara Porter

Leader of Logistics & Coordination

Cara is a super fun, energetic, and passionate outdoorswoman and a legendary hiker. When she’s not co-leading our expeditions, she’s grooming dogs and caring for all sorts of wildlife. She’s a lover of all things nature and a champion for the “ugly” animals.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS – PLEASE READ

We will be spending a majority of our time in dense and humid jungles in wildlife rich areas. We’ll be wading through rivers, climbing trees, and trekking through brush and mud.  You’ll get dirty… and that’s half the fun, however, please consider the disclaimers below.  And keep in mind, all activities are optional, so if you need a rest or don’t feel like participating one day, you’re more than welcome to relax on the property.

COMFORTABILITY: We do have internet and electricity (the station is 100% solar), but this is a completely off-grid biological field station. You will be sleeping in tents on raised platforms for a majority of our expedition. It’s not a 5-star resort.  While we do provide you with air mattresses, tents, and sleeping bags, please bring whatever else you may need to ensure your comfort in this environment.
Personal space is limited. You will share tent platforms, bathhouses, and common spaces with the rest of the participants, researchers, and field guides.
THERE IS NO HOT WATER – We will have a shared bath-house with shower stalls (cold-water only) and composting toilets.
We’d be happy to try to accommodate any personal requests you have, but please note that resources are limited.

MEDICAL: Biting and painful stinging insects as well as venomous snakes and other predators are present. There has never been an incident or medical emergency at Cocobolo Nature Reserve, but please exercise caution and follow our safety instructions at all times.  We cannot control the wildlife, terrain or weather. If you have any allergies to hymenoptera venom (bees, ants, wasps) please reconsider participation or bring your doctor prescribed epinephrine. While we are Wilderness First Responder Certified, this really only means we’re certified to assess emergency situations and provide extremely basic emergency care… we are not medical doctors.

Our Expedition Includes:

  • Accommodation:
    • 1 night accommodation in Panama City for the 1st night, and all accommodation/station fees at Cocobolo
    • Sleeping bags, air mattresses, and tents
  • Transportation:
    • Pickup from our hotel in Panama City
    • Dropoff at accommodation (accommodation not included on the last day) of your choice or airport in Panama City
  • Food & Beverage:
    • 1x Dinner in Panama City
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages throughout stay at Cocobolo. On final day, only breakfast and lunch are included
  • Equipment:
    • Muck boots
    • Use of entomological research equipment
  • Staff:
    • Wilderness First Response certified expedition leaders, Cocobolo guides and researchers, drivers, chefs

Our Expedition DOES NOT include:

Suggested packing list:

While we have a lot of experience packing for such field trips, it may be a bit confusing or intimidating if this is your first trip to the tropics. We’ve compiled a list of items you may want to consider below. If you need to purchase any of these items, you may want to consider doing this through Amazon Smile and choosing Conservation through Research Education and Action as your target charity.

The following items are non-essential but may come handy:

GALLERY

Insect Trapping
Aerial view of Cocobolo Research Station
Setting up camera traps for endangered Margay research