I drove to Volcan, Cerro Punta and Guadalupe about 5 years ago with a friend. This is a 2 hour trek. At that time, I didn't enjoy it that much. We didn't know where to go and we didn't speak any Spanish, so we aimlessly wondered around without seeing much.
This time we travelled with friends who know the area. I was surprised at how beautiful this side of the volcano is. Cooler, wetter and more virgin rain forest.
We stayed at an Eco lodge called Los Questzales Lodge. They have rooms in town and they have rooms way, way, way up into the International Park and virgin rain forest. The lodge takes you in all terrane vehicles on a rocky, narrow 4 wheel drive trail, better walked than any other method of travel, about a mile of this.
The cabins are rustic with running hot and cold water, indoor plumbing but no electricity. A guide visits you twice a day to either check on you or bring more supplies.
These wood cabins are rough with the stud work exposed on the interior. They creak with every step and all the doors squeak.
But the birds are dense, varied and amazing. So many hummingbirds that 20 to 40 would be fighting to feed at the same time. Quite a show!
At night, the air was full of fruit bats. They would swoop at the hummingbird feeders in hope of sugar water only to be disappointed because all the food was gone. Kind of spooky hanging around outside with hundreds of bats.
The main focus was to see the elusive Questzal. We heard many of them. The guide tried to call them in but, alas, no Questzal sightings.
The vegetation was huge. Some elephant ear plants had leaves at least 5 feet across. Things growing on things, growing on things, growing on things... Very wet and lush.
A different local in Panama.
We enjoyed it. Want to go back to see many things we missed.
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