Panama City's Trails and Waterfalls

Panama City is a modern and ever-growing city, surrounded by a dense forest teeming with wildlife. It has a hill in the middle of the city and a chain of National Parks that are great for hiking and discovering beautiful natural waterfalls.

These parks are very important because they form a vital Biological Corridor for many species. They also help the Panama Canal function properly and provide clean drinking water to nearby provinces.

A Chain of National Parks

Start your hikes in the Metropolitan Natural Park, the green lung of the capital, and completely forget that you're only 15 minutes from the center of a vibrant city.

Get to know its six forest trails full of diversity including 283 species of birds, 45 species of mammals, 38 species of reptiles and 20 species of amphibians.

Continue to Soberania National Park, one of the best birdwatching destinations in the world, with 400 species in a small territory. If you're a fan of this activity, or if you're just looking for a good trail to walk, explore the Oleoducto, Cruces, Charco or Plantation trail and climb the 175 steps of the Discovery Observation Tower.

Nearby is also the Chagres National Park, so large and varied, that it offers trails through cloudy, dry and humid forests; you can also cross rivers or walk around Lake Alhajuela. Walk the Cerro Pacora trail and climb to the top of Cerro Jefe to learn about its huge variety of fauna and flora, and enjoy a much more temperate climate.

In the Middle of the City

Without having to go far from your hotel, Cerro Ancon offers you an easily accessible trekking.

After a short hike uphill, you'll arrive at a viewpoint from which you'll have a panoramic view of the port of Balboa, the modern city and Casco Antiguo.

Within the Cerro Ancon protected area, 260 species of plants and 70 species of animals have been recorded. On the way up, try to find a sloth, monkey or Central American agouti, as well as one of the hundreds of birds that fly around it.

Dress in the most comfortable clothes you have, hire a specialized tour or follow the marked trails of the parks to get to know the green side of the capital.

Remember that you're in the middle of the rainforest, so the weather is hot and very humid. In the city, temperatures range from 70°F (21°C) to 90°F (32°C). In the middle of the forest, you can walk in cooler areas under the shade of the trees, although the humidity can be quite dense, especially between the months of May to December, in the rainy season.

Panama City is a destination that mixes history, culture, gastronomy, fun and rainforests; an ideal location for those who want to try everything before continuing their journey through the rest of the country, are you ready?

Surrounded by National Parks and green lungs, Panama City offers the perfect contrast between modernity and wild nature. Without straying too far from your hotel, historical sites, or delightful restaurants, you can hike in the middle of the tropical forest and get to know the greenest side of