Finca Hartmann - Panama
Finca Hartmann - Panama
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FINCA HARTMANN is a small family farm owned and operated by Ratibor Hartmann and his sons and daughter. The land use is predominantly shade-grown coffee, under towering remnant rainforest trees, and intact pre-montane highland forest that serves as a buffer zone to Parque Internacional La Amistad. At elevations between 4000-6000ft there are a number of accessible dirt roads that pass through many habitat types that are excellent for birding, hiking, and exploring. The family is very supportive of conservation and research and often has Smithsonian affiliated researchers living and working on the land. A list of some of the publications that have resulted from research done on the finca is being collected and maintained here.
They are interested in attracting more birders and nature enthusiasts there because of the risk involved with operating their farm predominantly with but one crop. Rather than convert their land to cattle pasture or sun coffee, the Hartmann family wishes to diversify into other environmentally sustainable business activities, such as environmental tourism, that will help protect their magnificent surroundings. They have an excellent location and variety of habitats to find birds including many Neo-Tropical migrants and a number of the endemic birds of the region. Check the list of the area that recent bird researchers have compiled over the past five seasons we have worked there. During the Christmas Bird Count of 1996 with six observers, 190+ spp. were found in the area, though over 280 spp have been detected in total.
The Facilities The facilities include nice cabins that can be rented and traditional Panamanian meals can likely be prepared. They are new to the eco-tourism business so things are rustic but extremely attractive and comfortable; they have clean potable spring water, flush toilets, hot showers, but no electricity.
The Chiriqui highlands of Panama have a number of other birding areas that could make a week-long trip to the region very worth while. Volcan Baru and its surroundings are easily accessed from Cerro Punta only a 1.5 hr car ride from FINCA HARTMANN (FH). A visitor to the region can come from Costa Rica (3.5hr from the border at Paso Canoa to FH) or from Panama City via the city of David (2.5 hr from David to FH).
So if you are looking for new areas or want to expand your options to feature SHADE COFFEE in a tour this would be a great place to visit. Need a place to do some tropical research? This place is great! If you want to visit the area contact us to make arrangements.
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2003 www.fincahartmann.com
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