RECOMMENDATIONS
If you intend to roam around near Yaviza, Pinogana, Jaque, Garachine or Puerto Obaldia and spend several days exploring the jungle, hire local guides who know the area and keep away from the Colombian border near Paya village. Never go by yourself or with your friends without a guide and for your own safety tell local authorities, preferably the police station, where you are going and when you expect to return. The best is to call a specialized travel agency, whether you want to go birding, hiking or see indigenous cultures. For the latter, we recommend Imama Tours (223-0728, 223-0729) that has created a variety of tours to authentic indigenous communities.

The key to success is planning. Buy a good framed backpack; if you don't want to carry it, that should not be a problem. Ask your guide, he will find somebody to take it for a daily minimum fee. Buy your maps -1/50.000 and 1/250.000- in Tommy Guardia National Geographic Institute in Panama.

Indispensable gear such as sleeping bag, jungle hammock protected by mosquito net, stove, fuel, mess kit, plastic or rubber sheet, first aid kit , flashlights with batteries, water purifying tablets or, even better, a purifying pump with ceramic filter strong insect repellant, pocketknives, waterproof plastic bags for I.D., films, cameras and matches can all be bought in Panama City. Take sufficient food for your team including your guides. Consult with them for lightest indispensable food you can always buy in starting point villages if you don't bring dried food. Choose the right kind of clothes, boots and toiletries. A good compass is recommended. Don't plan extensive excursions of more than a week roundtrip. Finally, be sure to dig your latrine at least 50 feet from all water sources to prevent pollution and take all garbage with you to be disposed of later.

The great naturalist, John Muir, said that when you camp in the wilderness, take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints! A great motto for all nature lovers.