Achiote Community

The rural community of Achiote lies in a lush valley on the western side of the Panama Canal bordering the San Lorenzo National Park. Community members are descended from Colombian and Jamaican immigrants as well as indigenous Panamanians. Founded as a banana plantation in the 1930s, Achiote today attracts tourists drawn to its tremendous natural beauty and numerous tropical birds. Achiote Road is recognized internationally as a bird watching destination where more than 354 bird species make their home, including ruby-chested trogons, rainbow colored toucans, and mealy parrots. Achiote is one of 25 places in the world where migratory birds of prey converge twice a year. Besides ecotourism, agriculture and cattle raising are important industries in Achiote. Tourists can visit a family-run farm where milk is processed and made into cheese. Visitors can learn about the cheese-making process and sample local cheeses.

Los Rapaces Community Ecotourism Group

In 2003, the Panamanian NGO CEASPA (Centro de Estudios y Acción Social Panameño) began working to help the villagers attract ecotourists, while maintaining the integrity of the village. They founded a non-profit community tourism association, Los Rapaces Community Ecotourism Group, named after the region’s famous birds of prey. CEASPA and Los Rapaces recently built El Tucán Visitor Center to welcome ecotourists and also operates a small restaurant, Cascá Restaurant. To further develop its reputation as a birding destination, several community members participated in bird watching courses taught by the Panamanian Audubon Society and developed a nature trail in ?? the forest by the Achiote Road. Achiote community members have integrated their intimate knowledge of local biodiversity and agriculture with conservation efforts to develop ecotourism.

Visitors to Achiote can enjoy the following activities: