Which natural environments draw ecotourists to Panama?

Panama’s diverse natural environments are a significant draw for ecotourists, who are attracted to the country’s varied flora and fauna across both land and sea. Key habitats that visitors explore include:1

• Tropical Rainforests: These lush environments are a primary feature of Panama’s national parks, which cover about one-sixth of the nation’s land area and are popular for activities such as bird-watching.23
• Cloud Forests: These richly diverse ecosystems are among the specific habitats that ecotourists seek out to experience Panama's biodiversity.1
• Coastal and Marine Environments: Panama features extensive beaches, myriad offshore islands, and vibrant coral reefs that attract snorkelers and scuba divers.213
• Savannas: These tropical grasslands are common in the seasonally dry regions between the Tabasará Mountains and the Pacific shoreline.4

Because of its historical role as a land bridge between North and South America, the isthmus hosts a unique intermixture of wildlife, including sloths, anteaters, jaguars, and various species of sea turtle that nest on its beaches.2