CONSCIOUS
travel
At Ancon Expeditions of Panama, we believe that travel is not just about visiting new places, but also about connecting with the world around us in a thoughtful and meaningful way.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Panama's diverse ecosystems while treading lightly on the environment. Our travel experiences seek to minimize environmental impact and support local conservation efforts. Engage with indigenous cultures, learn their time-honored traditions, and contribute to their well-being through responsible tourism practices.
Our experienced Naturalist guides will encourage you to cultivate a deeper connection with the places you visit and the wildlife and people you meet along the way, leaving you not just with memories, but with a renewed perspective on your role as a global citizen.Join us on a journey that will not only broaden your horizons, but that will also leave a positive footprint. Let's explore Panama together, one mindful step at a time.
NATURE CONSERVATION
Ancon Expeditions of Panama directly supports ANCON (National Association for the Conservation of Nature). Established in 1985, ANCON is Panama’s leading non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of the country's natural resources and biodiversity. ANCON plays a vital role in advocating for sustainable development, promoting environmental education, and collaborating with various stakeholders to safeguard Panama's diverse ecosystems and wildlife for future generations.
SUPPORT COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES
Empowering locals: We prioritize community engagement, enriching both travelers and the places they visit. By visiting indigenous communities, working with young entrepreneurs and local artisans, we contribute to their regular income and a circular economy in Panama. Come and join our immersive cooking experience with a young chef in Casco Viejo and learn how local ingredients are turned into a delicious traditional dish!
USE OF LOCAL PRODUCTS
Ancon Expeditions of Panama directly supports ANCON (National Association for the Conservation of Nature). Established in 1985, ANCON is Panama’s leading non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of the country's natural resources and biodiversity. ANCON plays a vital role in advocating for sustainable development, promoting environmental education, and collaborating with various stakeholders to safeguard Panama's diverse ecosystems and wildlife for future generations.
TOURISM, CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH
Planting a greener future: together with One Tree Planted we design customized hands-on reforestation activities for special-focused groups and companies who are interested in fostering team building activities with a purpose. We offer special itineraries for student, alumni and conservation groups to meet local scientists, field researchers and environmentalists during their trip to Panama. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s (STRI) newest laboratory is located in the outskirts of Soberanía National Park which protects 22,000 hectares of spectacular lowland tropical rainforest that is part of the Panama Canal watershed. The town of Gamboa is home to an amphibian rescue center, insectaries, experimental greenhouses, bat behavior installations and a sloth sanctuary, only 30 kms from Panama City and a half-hour boat ride to Barro Colorado Island, the most studied track of tropical rainforest in the world.
MINDFUL AND EDUCATIONAL
Our eco-conscious adventures guided by our certified Naturalist guides follow a respectful code of conduct to assure an ethical and educational encounter with wildlife, communities and historical landmarks. For example, on our Whale & Dolphin Watching expedition it is our utmost priority to respect the Humpback whales’ space; we will follow the international guidelines and regulations for sustainable whale watching at all times in order to prevent the animals from becoming stressed or intimidated. There may be biologists and scientific photographers onboard collecting information for their studies. In order to contribute to the scientific community, your Naturalist guide will use a hydrophone that will be introduced into the water. By listening to the songs of the whales, information can be compiled, shared, and studied together with the American Cetacean Society.
RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES
Redefining travel and office habits: At Ancon Expeditions of Panama, we kindly ask our travelers to bring reusable water bottles in order to avoid the use of plastics as much as possible. Our guides will bring bottled water, which guests can refill in their bottles at any time during the tour. In our headquarters, we have achieved a nearly paperless work methodology, reflecting our commitment to reducing paper waste. Our travelers receive e-documents prior to their arrival and are being updated digitally about any adjustments to their itinerary.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MASTERPLAN
Ancon Expeditions supports Panama’s sustainable tourism master plan which is the road map the country is following for the development of the tourism industry. The plan is based on the Tourism, Conservation and Research (TCR) strategy designed for Panama by ecologist Dr. Hana Ayala. The plan positions the country’s conservation and sustainability efforts at the forefront, along with its unique nature, culture and historic offerings.
