Jacobo Ortega 2 Testimonials
About me:
Originally from the countryside of Panama, Jacobo "Jacob" Ortega started developing his birding skills since his childhood.
Now with more than 30 years of experience guiding birders for local and international tour operators, "Jacob" is acclaimed as one of Panama´s Top Birding Guides.
Moreover, his bird identification knowledge (by sight, vocalizations, and behavior) has resulted in research assignments for the Smithsonian, Audubon Panama, Adopta Bosque Association, as well as other private environmental consulting companies.
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Website:
http://birdinginpanama.com/
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Testimonials
Written by Bonnie Clarfield-Bylin
We’ve had the pleasure of birding in Panama with Jacobo twice. The first time—our second visit to Panama—it was just my husband and me. We started in Gamboa and traveled round-trip to the Darién. Jacobo found every one of our target species—he’s an incredible birder and guide. After basking in the thrill of seeing a Harpy Eagle, Jacobo kept the momentum going by spotting a Red-throated Caracara on the way back! He also handled all the logistics of our trip smoothly. Don’t speak Spanish? No problem—Jacobo is bilingual and speaks excellent English. The next time, I returned to Panama with a group of eight fellow birders. Jacobo and Guido Berguido co-led our group. We were based in Gamboa and birded the famous Pipeline Road, as well as other nearby hotspots in Gamboa along our drive eastward for Darién specialties. Later, we flew with Jacobo to Chiriquí Province to target western species. Beyond birds, Jacobo is also great at spotting mammals, reptiles, and orchids for those who are interested. I used to joke that he’s like a spider with eight eyes—he seems to see everything around him. Even while driving at the speed limit, he could somehow spot a special bird, like a Black Hawk-Eagle, from the road! If you are contemplating hiring a guide in Panama, you should seriously consider Jacobo. He will grow your life list, drive you safely from place to place, and surprise you by finding a sloth, bird, or other animal in the most unlikely places.
Written by Kristine McKinney
Jacobo Ortega is an exceptional birding guide and a truly special human being. We trusted him with our family’s vacation—and our kids!—and ended up returning to Panama a second time just to experience nature with him again. He grew up in the forests of Panama and knows the land and its birds like the back of his hand. With incredible eyes for spotting wildlife (even while driving!) and expert use of bird vocalizations, Jacobo makes every outing magical. His calm, friendly nature puts everyone at ease—kids and adults alike. He’s deeply passionate about conservation, volunteering with ADOPTA to protect Panama’s ecosystems, and brings a heartfelt authenticity to every tour, sharing not just nature, but also his culture and favorite places. Jacobo speaks excellent English but is just as happy to guide in Spanish for those eager to learn. Touring with him felt like being welcomed into the heart of Panama. We couldn’t recommend him more.