Our Objectives
Conservation
de las orquídeas y la naturaleza a travez de la educaciónInspiration
A visitantes, artistas, científicos, y a la comunidad con la belleza y complejidad de la naturaleza.Research
al apoyar a los científicos con nuestra extensa colección y conocimiento localIn 1969, Andrew Maduro decided to purchase a property that was mostly open pasture. The only thing that made it stand out was a 1920s Swiss-German house and the fact that the Chiriquí Grande River — the fastest river in Panama — ran right alongside it.
He went on to transform that barren landscape into a paradise, now home to an incredible variety of plant and animal species.
The finca sits at 2,200 meters above sea level, making it the perfect place for Andrew’s growing obsession: cloud forest orchids from South America.
Among all orchids, the Dracula became queen. Thriving in the cold, misty climate, it did so well that Andrew eventually managed to grow 112 out of the 120 known Dracula species — which led him to name the place “Finca Dracula.”
Our Collection
La colección de Finca Dracula alberga mas de dos mil (2,000) especies de orquídeas y miles mas de híbridos. Se especializa en orquídeas de Centro y Sur America del bosque nuboso. Esto se debe a que el fundador de la colección viajaba mucho a ferias de orquídea en Sudamérica. A large portion of the collection is made up of miniature orchids, mostly from the subtribe Pleurothallidinae. These include Masdevallia (known as jewel orchids), Restrepia, Dracula, and many other genera — as the group is incredibly diverse, with thousands of species. Orchid collectors are especially fascinated by our Sobralia, which bloom for just one day. Similarly, our Stanhopeaspecies from Panama and Mexico are striking — not only for their appearance but for their intoxicating fragrance. Lycaste and Maxillaria, with their range of vibrant colors, are also favorites among our visitors. We also feature stunning hybrids from some of the finest growers in Japan. And for those who love bright colors, our Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium orchids are almost always in bloom. The diversity of species in our collection is vast — and it never ceases to amaze us.
Our Garden
We’ve built a one-hectare garden over the past 30 years, and it continues to grow and improve every season. It includes many native tree and plant species that help expand the natural reach of the surrounding forest.
Thanks to our unique climate, we’re able to grow many temperate-climate plants that absolutely thrive here — growing year-round without the stress of harsh winters. That’s why this place is often called “The Garden of Eternal Spring.”
The gardens also feature a remarkable variety of orchids growing on small trees, much like they do in the wild, surrounded by their natural neighbors: Monsteras, Anthuriums, Columneas, Bromeliads, and more. This gives visitors a unique chance to experience what happens in the treetops — without ever having to climb.
Other highlights include our Dracula orchid gardens, which are shaded and full of Heliconias, Anthuriums, and exotic ferns, as well as our beautiful water gardens with their “Poor Man’s Umbrellas” and the incredible variety of birds that regularly visit.