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⭐ Panama Frogs Photo Tour Highlights – May 2026

  • Jul 16
  • 3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago


Often described as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, the coastal rainforests of Bocas Del Toro are home to some of Panama’s most fascinating wildlife. But some of the most rewarding subjects are just a few centimetres along.


In May, I spent time in this island chain on a private Panama photo tour with a client from the UK, exploring one of the most biodiverse corners of the country in search of one of its smallest inhabitants: the poison dart frogs.


This was a dedicated macro photography tour, spending time exploring the forest floor and surrounding habitats to photograph these incredible amphibians creatively - from intimate portraits to wider environmental images showing their place within the rainforest.


May is a fantastic time to visit. The rainy season is just beginning, bringing fresh life to the forest. The showers may shape the rhythm of each day, but they also create some of the best photographic opportunities. Over the course of a few days, we embraced the wildlife photo opportunities that this environment revealed.


Frogs were the stars of this wildlife photo safari, and Bocas Del Toro offers some of the best opportunities anywhere in Central America for frog photography, with an abundance of species in natural rainforest habitat.
Frogs were the stars of this wildlife photo safari, and Bocas Del Toro offers some of the best opportunities anywhere in Central America for frog photography, with an abundance of species in natural rainforest habitat.
The Strawberry Poison Dart Frog was our main target. One of the fascinating things about Bocas is that this frog's appearance varies depending on which island you visit. On Isla Colon, you can find the striking yellow and black form (pictured above). Meanwhile on Isla Solarte, the frogs are a fiery orange (pictured below).
The Strawberry Poison Dart Frog was our main target. One of the fascinating things about Bocas is that this frog's appearance varies depending on which island you visit. On Isla Colon, you can find the striking yellow and black form (pictured above). Meanwhile on Isla Solarte, the frogs are a fiery orange (pictured below).
After taking the initial record shots (always important when photographing a new species!), we began experimenting creatively with colour, texture and scale - using the surrounding vegetation to frame the frogs among the leaf litter.
After taking the initial record shots (always important when photographing a new species!), we began experimenting creatively with colour, texture and scale - using the surrounding vegetation to frame the frogs among the leaf litter.

The best rainforest wildlife photo safari experience comes from slowing down and really looking. This Granular Glass Frog was a perfect example. During the day this frog blends surprisingly well into the vegetation, but after dark and under a gentle flashlight, we were able to reveal its vivid peppery patterns and translucent skin.
The best rainforest wildlife photo safari experience comes from slowing down and really looking. This Granular Glass Frog was a perfect example. During the day this frog blends surprisingly well into the vegetation, but after dark and under a gentle flashlight, we were able to reveal its vivid peppery patterns and translucent skin.
"A very successful month's trip to Panama - the frogs were extraordinary and probably the highlight!" - Robert
Many of the best opportunities on this frog photography tour were literally right on our doorstep. If heavier rain arrived, instead of stopping photography, we simply looked closer. Around the property there was an abundance of life, including obliging Red-Eyed Tree Frogs sheltering on the verandah.
Many of the best opportunities on this frog photography tour were literally right on our doorstep. If heavier rain arrived, instead of stopping photography, we simply looked closer. Around the property there was an abundance of life, including obliging Red-Eyed Tree Frogs sheltering on the verandah.
Some of our favourite images from the Panama photo tour came when the weather was at its most challenging. We used the rain, reflections, soft light and rich colours of the forest to create something different. These are the moments when photography becomes less about simply documenting wildlife and more about interpretation.
Some of our favourite images from the Panama photo tour came when the weather was at its most challenging. We used the rain, reflections, soft light and rich colours of the forest to create something different. These are the moments when photography becomes less about simply documenting wildlife and more about interpretation.
This macro photography tour offered much more than just frogs. A private boat trip took us through the waterways...
This macro photography tour offered much more than just frogs. A private boat trip took us through the waterways...

...Where we photographed species such as Green Herons and Amazon Kingfishers from low water-level perspectives.
...Where we photographed species such as Green Herons and Amazon Kingfishers from low water-level perspectives.
The Montezuma Oropendolas were another avian highlight, with their remarkable hanging nest colonies creating a wonderful rainforest spectacle.
The Montezuma Oropendolas were another avian highlight, with their remarkable hanging nest colonies creating a wonderful rainforest spectacle.

The islands of Bocas del Toro feel like a world apart. Surrounded by Caribbean waters and covered in lush rainforest, they are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife — from rare Red-billed Tropicbirds and frigatebirds, to some of Panama’s most colourful amphibians.
The islands of Bocas del Toro feel like a world apart. Surrounded by Caribbean waters and covered in lush rainforest, they are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife — from rare Red-billed Tropicbirds and frigatebirds, to some of Panama’s most colourful amphibians.

Bocas Del Toro is a very different experience from my main Panama photography tour. While the Rainforest Animals Of Panama tour explores a wide range of habitats and species, Bocas instead offers a very intimate wildlife photo safari - one that's slow paced, specialised, and built around observation and spending time with some of the rainforest’s smallest creatures.


For anyone who loves macro photography tours, frogs, and exploring prehistoric environments, Bocas Del Toro is a truly special place.


Paul Alistair Collins

Join me on the next Rainforest Animals Of Panama photo tour, where we spend time exploring its incredible biodiversity and photographing its unique wildlife.→ See upcoming dates!

Species Highlights: Strawberry Poison Dart Frog, Green-And-Black Poison Dart Frog, Red-Eyed Tree Frog, Hourglass Tree Frog, Granular Glass Frog, Goliath Frog, Red-Billed Tropicbird, Montezuma Oropendola, Two-Toed Sloth, Bottlenose Dolphin.

 
 
 

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