Autumn Fiske's Journey Through Panama: Cloud Forests, Caribbean Waters, and a Hidden Galapagos

There are trips that entertain, and then there are trips that redefine what a destination can be. For travel advisor Autumn Fiske, a two-week journey through Costa Rica and into Panama before the pandemic did exactly that. Equal parts personal discovery and professional research, the experience delivered a country that continually surprised her, a place where laid-back Caribbean rhythms, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and some of the most biodiverse waters on the planet exist within easy reach of one another.

From the Caribbean Coast to a Volcanic Crater Town

Fiske began her journey on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, easing into the slow, sun-drenched pace of Puerto Viejo before crossing into Panama. What followed was a journey that zigzagged through ecosystems and cultures with the kind of variety that few destinations can offer. She snorkelled through the turquoise shallows of Bocas del Toro, laced up her hiking boots for cloud forest trails near Boquete, and spent time in Valle de Antón, a town that holds a genuinely rare distinction. It sits inside an actual volcanic crater, a geological curiosity that draws visitors as much for its strange, bowl-shaped geography as for its charm. She also visited a working cacao farm, learning the journey from bean to bar firsthand, before wrapping up the trip with a night in the gleaming, modern capital of Panama City.

The Venice of the Caribbean

Ask Fiske which moment she finds herself describing most often to clients, and the answer comes without hesitation: Bocas del Toro. She describes the archipelago as "Venice of the Caribbean," a place defined by water taxis threading between islands, excellent waterfront restaurants, and coastal views that reward every angle. But it is nearby Cayo Zapatilla that left the deepest impression. Fiske calls it home to "the most stunning crystal clear blue waters I've ever seen," a superlative that carries weight coming from someone who has snorkelled across the region. Equally memorable is Starfish Beach, where the seafloor is carpeted with starfish in numbers that feel almost implausible, the kind of spectacle that photographs rarely do justice.

A Cloud Forest That Defied Expectations

Fiske arrived in Boquete carrying a ready-made comparison. She had already walked the trails of Costa Rica's celebrated Monteverde Cloud Forest, one of the most visited natural attractions in Central America, and she admits she did not expect Boquete to measure up. She was wrong. "The cloud forest in Boquete was more beautiful and scenic than I thought," she says, noting that the hike around Baru Volcano proved more demanding than Monteverde, with higher elevation and steeper terrain that rewards those willing to push a little harder. For clients who consider themselves seasoned hikers, Fiske now has a firsthand benchmark to offer, something no guidebook comparison can fully replicate.

Panama's Secret: Coiba National Park

Perhaps the most significant discovery of Fiske's trip was a place that most travellers never reach at all. Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sitting off Panama's Pacific coast in the Gulf of Chiriquí, comprises 38 islands that were once the site of a notorious penal colony. That dark history had an unintended consequence: the isolation preserved roughly 80 percent of the park's ecosystems in near-pristine condition. Today, Coiba is globally recognised for world-class scuba diving, whale watching, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. It has earned the nickname "the Galapagos of Central America," a comparison that speaks to the sheer density and rarity of the wildlife found there. Fiske is emphatic that this is the kind of insider knowledge that separates a well-researched recommendation from a truly transformative one.

More broadly, Fiske sees Panama as a destination that rewards those who understand its particular strengths. "Panama offers slightly fewer volcanoes but shines with incredible island-hopping and coastal and marine diversity," she explains, pointing to Coiba as the clearest example of that marine edge. The country sits in a different category from its Central American neighbours, she notes, with the US dollar as its currency and a highly modernised business infrastructure in Panama City driving costs for lodging and transport higher than backpackers might expect. It is not, she is clear, the right fit for every traveller.

Who Belongs Here, and Who Does Not

Fiske is direct when it comes to matching clients to destinations, and Panama is no exception. She describes it as ideal for outdoor adventurers, history enthusiasts, and beach lovers, particularly those drawn to rainforests, indigenous cultures, and the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. Travellers who crave walkable urban centres, budget-friendly backpacking conditions, or easy access to swimmable city beaches will likely find themselves frustrated. This kind of candid, nuanced guidance is precisely what first-hand experience makes possible.

Her practical knowledge extends to logistics as well. She now recommends that clients heading to Boquete fly from Panama City to the city of David, served by DAV airport, before taking a 50-minute taxi or bus ride up into the mountains, a route that saves significant time. For the San Blas Islands, she advises booking a combined 4x4 jeep and water taxi tour from Panama City, with operators who manage the entire journey. These are the kinds of frictionless, confidence-building details that turn a vague dream into a booked itinerary.

Looking Ahead to New Caribbean Horizons

With Panama now firmly in her repertoire, Fiske is already thinking about her next Caribbean comparison. She is drawn to the contrast between San Blas and San Andrés in Colombia, two islands that could not be more different in character. San Blas, run by the indigenous Guna people, offers an off-grid, rustic sailing experience ideal for digital detoxes. San Andrés, Colombia's famous island known for its "Sea of Seven Colors," brings vibrant nightlife, duty-free shopping, and a fully developed tourist infrastructure while still delivering the white-sand beaches that Caribbean travellers seek. "I would like another Caribbean island experience," Fiske says, and for a travel advisor whose professional instincts are sharpened by every journey she takes, that next trip is already laying the groundwork for the recommendations that will follow.