La Amistad Biosphere Reserve

La Coralina Island House is the ideal base for exploring the coastal parts of this sprawling UNESCO biosphere reserve situated in the northwest of Panama bordering Costa Rica and the Caribbean.

The vast park features a variety of ecosystems and habitats, ranging from low humid mountain forest to mangrove forest, coral reefs and tropical islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

According to UNESCO, the biosphere is home to 84 mammal species — including the giant anteater (Tapirus bairdii) and the jaguar (Panthera onca), as well as 285 bird species and numerous reptile and amphibian species.

The reserve also harbors thousands of human inhabitants who make their living from agriculture, forestry, fishing and ecotourism. Among the region’s indigenous groups are the Ngóbe, Teribe, Buglé and Bribri, people who have called area home since pre-Columbian times and continue to preserve their languages, cultures, traditions and religions.

Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park — which guests can visit on daytrips from La Coralina Island House — falls within the boundaries of the biosphere reserve.

It might also be possible to arrange a visit to nearby mainland areas of the biosphere reserve like Punta Cauro and the Refugio Nacional Gandoca-Manzanillo.

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