Panama

If you find yourself in Chiriqui, Panama, Los Cangilones de Gualaca river canyon is a great spot to spend a carefree afternoon, about 40 minutes by bus from the David Terminal. The water is warm and welcoming, and also plenty deep, so don't worry about diving in.This is a safe area for bringing camera gear, just keep an eye on it at all times. Particularly on the weekends, this is a popular sit...

This best-kept-secret, beautiful location is starting to become more popular, but still remains a low key, relatively secluded area – San Blas is made up of more than 2,000 islands, after all.You will first need to take a car to Carti, around $25 per seat. At the border, you will be required to show your passport and pay $20 for entrance. Make sure to keep the receipt, or you will be charged ag...

The hike to Jaguar Falls is an out of this world experience. You start out at the Kalu Yala base camp, which you can get yourself to by booking here. They are a sustainability institute that hosts visitors in addition to their long term students. The chances of you hopping on this hike with a member of their biology or outdoor recreation programs is high, which means you'll have endless knowled...

To get to Gunko Wall, you can ask any taxi driver in Boquete to take you to "Los Ladrillos". The wall is right off the road, being absolutely impossible to miss. That being said, there is still ample room to belay, park your car, etc.  The rainy season in Boquete is from August to November, which means there are often rains in the afternoon. Get out and climb early and you can get hours of clim...

Getting to the Mana Wall from Boquete, you can ask a taxi driver to take you to "Los Ladrillos" then when you arrive at the Gunko Wall (highlighted in another Outbound Adventure), just continue 100 meters down the road and the Mana Wall will be on your left. If you are driving, parking is best in the open picnic area across the street.  The climbing here ranges from 5.10a to 5.13a. If you want ...

Starting from the Kalu Yala base camp, you go right out of the main gate. This road goes immediately downhill. Once you hit the Pacora River, stay on the near side, continuing on the road to the right. Walk past the gate of Parque Pacora. Once you hit the river, cross over it on foot. It is easiest if you stick to the left. Once to the other side of the river, you follow the main trail another ...

This place is called Paradise for a reason. Starting off from the Kalu Yala base camp (you can learn more about staying at their site here), it is just a ten minute hike to the swimming hole. Through the main gates, you go right (downhill) to the river crossing. Cross the Pacora, and then start walking up the road on the other side of the river. You will enter the first gate on the left. Be sur...

This hike starts at the Kalu Yala base camp. You will most likely be able to grab an outdoor rec or biology intern to go with you on this hike, but it is easy enough to find on your own. From the main gate, go right onto the road, immediately taking you downhill to the Pacora River. Stay on the right to the right, until you have walked past the gate to Parque Pacora. You will reach the river, w...

The Honey Creeper Trail, named after the rare Honey Creeper bird that can be found there, is the "base camp" trail of the Kalu Yala community. It is a loop that starts in their town square, heads up the nearest hill, taking you immediately into the depths of the jungle, and quickly has you back into the main camp and around again to town square.  As a loop, you can do this trial either way, but...