I have been taking groups of Entomologists and Photographers to Darien National Park and Rancho Frio since July 2013, probably visiting there at least 10 times, usually spending a week at the camp. You can get an idea of what is involved in getting there by reading another review by Jarek Pokrzwynicki that pretty much covers it.

We have rental SUV's and trucks to haul the massive amount of equipment it takes for an Entomology research trip there, and it usually takes the better part of 2 days from the time we leave Panama City until we get to the camp at Rancho Frio.

I usually go there for 6 to 8 nights with groups from 6 to 14 entomologists. We bring all of the food needed for a week stay there along with several coolers with perishable food and ice (the park guards can obtain small blocks of ice, and some basic food items, from the village of EL Real if needed).

As of early 2018 there is a large chest freezer that runs on propane. You should buy a fresh tank when you go to the camp to insure you have cold storage while there. Another propane tank is used for the stove for cooking your meals so you might want to get one for the stove, too. They are not too expensive ($10-$15).

I bring several 2000w generators, fuel cans, bright Mercury Vapor lights, dozens of extension cords, and small electric fans for each person on the trip. They are worth their weight in gold there and provide a welcome relief to the oppressive heat and humidity. The "dry" season usually runs from December through April, but rain can be frequent and heavy there, and visiting there between May and November could be a rainy experience you won't forget.

The little river that runs next to the camp can be used for bathing or cooling off. They do have a basic shower (cold water) and a couple toilets that are supplied by river water. We usually bring 6 large 2 or 3 liter bottles of water and water filters (like Katadyn) to keep providing drinking water for our week there.

The Environmental Ministry (Mi Ambiente) has a small 2-story bunkhouse with 4 sets of bunkbeds on each floor, each with a mattress. You must bring your own sheets, pillows, pillow cases, towels, etc to this location.

I cannot emphasize how important prior planning is for visiting this location for more than a day or two. The Mi Ambiente guards working at Rancho Frio are very friendly and interested in the insects, moths, butterflies and beetles that we collect there. The entomologists I bring from various museums and universities from all over the world have discovered several new species of butterflies and beetles in the area, and we probably have some undescribed moths that need to be worked on by specialists. It's destination that many "bug nerds", as my wife calls us, want to go to but the planning and logistics of making it happen require months of planning.

Luckily I am assisted by a professor at the University of Panama who helps me obtain the proper permits, and a fantastic Embrerá Indian guide, Luis, who lives in EL Real, near Darien National Park, and arranges for the boat rides from  Yaviza to El Real and back, the trucks to haul our equipment and us from the river to the trailhead, and for the dozen or so pack horses to carry our equipment (and a few people) into the park boundary. Getting there reminds me of a National Geographic video every time we go.