Barro Colorado Island

Barro Colorado Island is an island on Lake Gatun in the Panama Canal in Panama. The island was created when the Panama Canal was built in 1913. The island is pristine tropical jungle.

Understand

The island has no permanent residents though there is a scientific research station on the island that is operated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Scientists have been studying life on the island for more than 80 years. The island covers an area of 15.6 square kilometers.

History

The island came into existence in 1913 when Lake Gatun was flooded as part of the Panama Canal construction. The U.S. government designated Barro Colorado as a protected natural reserve in 1923. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute established their research center on the island in 1946 and the Smithsonian became the administrators of the island. After 1999, when the U.S. government pulled out of the Panama Canal Zone and turned the canal over to Panamanian administration, the island became part of the Panama national parks system but continued to be reserved for scientific research and the administration of the island continues to be managed by the Smithsonian.

Landscape

The jungle-covered island was once a jungle-covered hilltop. It's still basically a hill with dense virgin tropical forest.

Flora and fauna

The tropical jungle on the island is home to more than 400 bird species, some 500 species of butterflies, and 500 species of trees. Although large mammals no longer live on the island, there are plenty of monkeys, anteaters, birds, reptiles and insects.

Climate

Get in

Visitors are welcome to the island, but only by advance reservation and on full-day tours conducted by Smithsonian staff. Reservations can be made on the STRI web page. Tours cost US$125 for non-Panamanian adults. Other rates are available for Panamanians, students, and senior citizens.

Tours begin early in the morning at the docks in Gamboa where a boat will take you to the STRI facility on Barro Colorado. On the island, you will hike through the forest for about 3 hours. Hikes are led by a researcher who can provide information about the island ecosystem and the work being done at STRI. You'll enjoy a Panamanian lunch, and visit the site museum before heading back to the docks for the boat trip back to Gamboa.

Fees and permits

See Get in.

Get around

Walk or take a boat.

See

Do

Hike: the tour includes an in-depth nature hike through the many criss-crossing trails on the island. Guides are professional researchers in biology or other sciences and they provide detailed information about the island environement as well as changes caused by man's activities and global climate change. Some trails may be muddy or steep and therefore difficult for some travelers.

Eat

Food and drink will be provided at the STRI cafeteria where visitors will dine alongside the island's research staff.

Sleep

Overnight stays are not allowed except for bona fide researchers. Tourists might like the all-inclusive vacation resort in Gamboa or there are many hotels at all privce points in Panama City.

Stay safe

Hot, humid weather is difficult for many visitors. Bring drinking water and wear a hat to protect yourself from the fierce afternoon sun. Mosquito repellant is also advised as mosquitos in the tropics can carry malaria, dengue or other infectious diseases.

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