Bocas River Safari

Done entirely on our clear boats, the River Safari is a 3-to-4-hour trip down the river into the wilder, quieter side of Bocas del Toro. While Bocas is an incredible hotspot for birdwatching—boasting over 700 recorded species in the region and 130+ within these protected wetlands alone—its terrestrial and freshwater wildlife rarely gets the spotlight it deserves. This tour takes you through a calm, protected, and almost completely isolated area where you can take in the scenery and observe wildlife up close. Keep your eyes on the water—this is one of the few sanctuaries where you can spot endangered West Indian manatees gliding silently through the river, along with freshwater turtles and sloths resting in the trees. Birdwatching here is great year-round, with peak migration seasons bringing massive waves of songbirds and raptors between September and November, and again from March to May. Drinks, fresh fruit, and snacks are provided on board so you can sit back and enjoy the journey.

History of the Canal Dug in the late 19th century by the Snyder Banana Company, the Snyder Canal was originally built to haul bananas from mainland plantations straight to the Caribbean coast. Today, nature has fully reclaimed this historic waterway. Running through the heart of the San San Pond Sak Ramsar-protected wetland, the canal has transformed into a quiet jungle corridor where industrial history meets untouched wilderness.

 Birdwatching & Wildlife Navigating these calm, dark waters offers a front-row seat to one of Panama’s most diverse avian habitats. Keep your binoculars ready for toucans, kingfishers, herons, egrets, and elusive forest species resting along the dense mangrove walls. Beyond birdlife, the canal's quiet channels are one of the few places in Bocas where you can spot wild manatees, sloths, and freshwater turtles gliding beneath the surface.2820 

Sea Turtles & The Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) Where the freshwater of the wetlands meets the open ocean, the beaches of San San and nearby Soropta serve as critical nesting grounds for endangered sea turtles—most notably the giant Leatherback, the critically endangered Hawksbill, and the Green turtle. Thanks to tireless efforts by local conservation groups alongside the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), these vital nesting beaches are actively protected and monitored.

 Leatherback Season: March to July (Peak nesting in April & May) 

Hawksbill & Green Turtle Season: May to October (Peak nesting in July & August. 

Hatching Season: May through November. Where newborn hatchlings make their journey to the sea. 

Access to SCT requires private booking and reservation in advanced!