Seeking a truly secluded, off-the-beaten-path adventure? Consider Panama.

Nestled between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Panama, a small nation roughly the size of South Carolina, is a hidden gem in one of the planet's most biodiverse regions. With over 1,400 palm-strewn islands, it offers a unique blend of culture, nature, and adventure.

One of the most exciting developments in Panamanian tourism is the SOSTUR community-based tourism initiative. This programme promotes sustainable tourism by fostering regenerative practices that integrate local communities, empower vulnerable groups, and prioritise ecological balance.

Empowering Local Communities

SOSTUR involves local leaders, women, youth, and small businesses in co-creating tourism experiences. By doing so, it increases their capacity and resilience in the tourism sector.

Promoting Regenerative Tourism

The concept of regenerative tourism emphasises creating slow, meaningful visitor experiences that deepen connections between tourists, locals, nature, and the living systems sustaining the destination. This includes aligning the pace of tourism with natural rhythms and fostering mutual benefits among all stakeholders.

Supporting Cultural and Environmental Sustainability

By highlighting the cultural richness and natural heritage of regions like Coclé and Colón, SOSTUR promotes local pride and preservation of biodiversity, indirectly benefiting wildlife conservation.

Developing Innovative Tourism Circuits

SOSTUR develops innovative tourism circuits that showcase local culture and nature, reinforcing a sustainable local economy focused on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MIPYMES) that are community-driven and environmentally conscious.

A Network of Sustainable Experiences

The Mangrove Route, launched in 2021 by Isla Cañas, offers educational stations about the vital species and Panama's mangrove forests. The Naso Trail, a community-based tourism initiative in northwest Panama's rainforests, includes jungle hikes, traditional cacao harvesting and cooking classes, and handicraft shopping with local female artisans.

In Rio Caña, a remote stop in the Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous territory, visitors can enjoy pygmy sloth safaris, beachcombing, snorkelling, and cultural experiences like craft workshops and cooking classes. Travelers can also participate in grassroots turtle conservation efforts with the Ngäbe-Buglé-led turtle conservation group, monitoring hatchlings or nesting turtles, including the colossal leatherbacks.

A Step Towards Sustainable Tourism

Panama's strategy for ecotourism is to grow visitor numbers in a way that prioritises people and nature, with community tourism being a link to conservation. The SOSTUR network is part of the Panamanian government's five-year, $301 million Sustainable Tourism Development Master Plan.

Visitors typically stay in village accommodations such as guesthouses or cabins while participating in SOSTUR-coordinated activities. Chiriquí Beach, protected by the Ngäbe-Buglé-led turtle conservation group, is believed to be one of the most critical leatherback nesting sites in Central America and the world.

Travelers can visit eleven Naso communities along the Teribe River and its tributaries, staying at Posada Media Luna, a female-run inn constructed by the United Women Organization of Bonyic. Isla Cañas, a rural community on Panama's Pacific coast, is a real-life conservation success story for nesting turtles.

SOSTUR's digital portal connects travelers with locals (chefs, artisans, conservationists) who show them Panama's less-trodden side, including jungle treks, wildlife sightings, traditional cooking, and art classes.

Panama, despite its natural draws, has long centered its tourism on its famed canal and buzzing capital. However, with initiatives like SOSTUR, visitors now have the opportunity to book sustainable adventures in regions largely untouched by tourism.

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The SOSTUR community-based tourism initiative in Panama empowers local communities by involving leaders, women, youth, and small businesses in co-creating tourism experiences.
The SOSTUR programme promotes regenerative tourism, which emphasizes creating slow, meaningful visitor experiences that deepen connections between tourists, locals, nature, and living systems.
By showcasing local culture and nature, SOSTUR develops innovative tourism circuits that reinforce a sustainable local economy focused on community-driven and environmentally conscious micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MIPYMES).
The Mangrove Route, launched by Isla Cañas, offers educational stations about vital species and Panama's mangrove forests, while the Naso Trail includes jungle hikes, traditional cacao harvesting, and cultural experiences.
Visitors can enjoy unique experiences like pygmy sloth safaris, beachcombing, snorkelling, and cultural workshops in remote areas like Rio Caña, part of the Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous territory.
The SOSTUR network is part of the Panamanian government's five-year, $301 million Sustainable Tourism Development Master Plan, aiming to prioritize people and nature in ecotourism.
Chiriquí Beach, protected by the Ngäbe-Buglé-led turtle conservation group, is believed to be one of the most critical leatherback nesting sites in Central America and the world.
With initiatives like SOSTUR, visitors now have the opportunity to book sustainable adventures in regions largely untouched by tourism, experiencing the less-trodden side of Panama's rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and natural attractions.