Mount Totumas Cloud Forest

Overview

Description

We are located on 400 acres (162 hectares) of cloud forest in a mosaic of old and second-growth forest with open pastures. Mount Totumas Cloud Forest directly borders La Amistad National Park and is an important buffer zone between the park and second-growth forests at lower altitudes. Our network of hiking trails covers a variety of habitats and directly connects to trails in the park. Our site includes three river areas and two waterfalls.

We provide visitors with an unparalleled wilderness experience. Mount Totumas is the premier site for birdwatching in western Panama for highland species. Keystone cloud forest species present on site include the resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), three-wattled bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata), black guan (Chamaepetes unicolor), mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), mountain lion (Puma concolor), and Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii).

Rooms

We have space for 7 people. Lodging consists of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, and dining room.

Note: When you rent a room in the home you are sharing the kitchen and living room with other renters. When you rent the entire home, you have the homestead exclusively for your group or family.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 2

Percentage of local employees: 100%

Mount Totumas Cloud Forest is a buffer zone to the bordering La Amistad National Park and a refuge for cloud forest flora and fauna. We are preserving more than 300 acres (121.4 hectares) of cloud forest and we plan on reforesting up to 50% (100 acres/40.5 hectares) of the existing pastures on site.

Our lodge is off the grid due to our micro hydroelectric plant that generates clean renewable energy from a perennial stream. Six kilowatts of electricity from this power plant power the lodge. It is a flow-through system, so the ecology of the perennial stream that supplies the water remains viable and pristine.

In the future, we plan to join the Association of Organic Farmers in Cerra Punta in order to learn about local solutions and suppliers of raw materials for organic gardening as well as learn from local experts about the varieties of fruits and vegetables that we can grow without chemicals.

Rates

$76 – 100

The lodge is rented at $100 per night. Individual rooms are also rented upon request when available.

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.mounttotumas.com/rentals.htm (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Panama City (PTY)

Nearest local/national airport: David (DAV)

Travel time to nearest airport: 90 minutes

It is a 6.2 mile (10-km) drive to Mount Totumas; high-clearance 4WD vehicles are required. We offer transportation to the site from Volcan or David.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

Eco-rating of 4.4 out of 5 on the Eco Tropical Resorts website.

Additional Web sites

• www.vrbo.com/305227 (available in English). Our listing on the Vacation Rental by Owner website.

Date This Information Was Provided

July 2011.

Photos courtesy of Mount Totumas Cloud Forest, Panama, for SustainableTrip.org.