Safety tips for the adventure tourist visiting Panama
(examiner.com) Panama is an exciting place to look for wildlife and the opportunities for discovery are endless. Animals can be seen in even the most developed areas of Panama, including in city parks. However, it is not unsuspected that some of the best places to see wildlife, especially the rarer of species, are in remote places where few people visit or even live. For this reason, it is wise to consider some safety tips before heading into the forest.
Hire a local guide
One of the best things you can to do to enhance your tour and help guarantee your safety is to hire a local guide who is experienced on the trails where you wish to hike. Many natural areas have a poor or even no map, and trails typically are not marked in any standard method. It is very easy to get lost in the tropical forest and it is difficult to see in which direction you should travel to reach a road or community. If a guide is not available, be sure to give the park ranger an idea of where you would like to hike and about how long you expect to be gone. A guide is essential if you plan to explore deep in the Darien region of Panama.
Remain on the trails
Most trails in the national parks of Panama are cleaned regularly. Always stay on the trail for your own safety (it is easier to see something in the middle of a cleared path) and for the protection of the plants and animals of the park. You certainly don’t want to visit an area that has been trampled by people and neither will the next people. Upon leaving the trail you may encounter unpleasant pests like chiggers, which are small mites that will burrow into your skin, primarily around your sock line or waistband, and cause incredible itching for a week or so.
Wear appropriate footwear
It is best to walk in good hiking boots, rubber boots, or sturdy tennis shoes. Sandals and flip-flops expose your toes to rocks, but also to ants and other biting critters in the soil or leaf litter.
Logs in the trail
Fallen trees (or even buttresses of some trees) provide shelter for all sorts of animals and runways for many small rodents. Always check the backside of a log in the trail before stepping over it to ensure no snakes or other animals are tucked under the edge. Also, check the top where you will cross!
Ducking under trees
If passing underneath a fallen tree or low hanging branch, duck low. Many animals utilize the shelter that is provided by such a location and you don’t want to get bit on the back of your neck or end up with a critter caught in your hair. (Of course, this also can be a great place to explore to see insects, snails, even small birds, snakes, and frogs!)
Slippery streams
Use caution when crossing a stream, even if small. Many sites in Panama have suffered from amphibian declines, including the loss of the tadpoles that live in the streams. Tadpoles feed on algae and without them, the algae grows quickly and makes the rocks incredibly slippery. Read more about the amphibian declines.
Don’t touch the plants
Many of us are accustomed to touching plants, as long as it isn’t poison ivy or a cactus. This is not advisable in the tropics. Many plants are armed with thorns or have close associations with ants, which will attach animals that climb onto the tree. Also, some snakes will be found wrapped around the truck or branches of trees. If you begin to fall, don’t grab for the surrounding vegetation; rather, just sit down to stop your fall.
Don’t forget the sun block
The sun in Panama is intense, even if the sky is clouded over and you are in the forest. Always apply sun block and/or cover your skin. It does not take long to acquire a severe sunburn that could make the rest of your visit miserable.
Bring water and a snack.
It is always advisable to carry with you a container of drinking water and a snack, like granola bars, a sandwich, or other energy-boaster. Be sure to carry out all of your trash.
Don’t pick up the animals
Many animals, even if not considered poisonous or venomous, may bite as an act of defense if they are harassed. Other animals may carry disease. It is best for you, and for the animal, if you do not touch or pick-up anything. Remember also that, if you applied insect repellent or some lotions, handling animals like frogs or insects could lead to incredible stress or even death for the critter. This also applies to coral reefs and beach areas (check into coral-safe sunscreen if you plan to snorkel or SCUBA while in Panama).
Please note that these tips are not meant to scare you away from enjoying the wonderful natural areas of Panama. Instead, they are meant to provide you with an education that will make your trip more enjoyable and will allow you to focus on finding wildlife instead of worrying about your safety. Happy Exploring!
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Original Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-12916-Norfolk-Panama-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d9-Safety-tips-for-the-adventure-tourist-visiting-Panama
Date Retrieved: September 15, 2009
