We begin early in the morning with pickup from your hotel in Panama City to take advantage of the peak wildlife activity hours. Usually in the early morning, various bird species, such as parrots, parakeets, and toucans, are often easy to spot in the forest canopy.

Ancon Hill:

The forest reserve of Ancon Hill, located in the heart of Panama City, will be our first stop. In addition to being home to a wide variety of wildlife, it is one of the best places in Panama to find sloths! Ancon Hill is also one of the city’s most popular urban birdwatching spots, where dense foliage and forest edges create ideal conditions for observing a surprising diversity of birds, flora, and fauna.

As you walk up the path, your guide will point out both local and migratory species such as tanagers, flycatchers, and other birds commonly found in the area. There are also good chances to spot mammals like Geoffroy’s tamarin monkeys, nine-banded armadillos, and more.

Finally, in reaching the summit and along the path you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Panama Canal, Panama City, and Pacific Ocean from the multiple lookout points, offering opportunities to capture incredible photos from an iconic vantage point. 

Metropolitan Natural Park:

To continue observing Panama’s flora and fauna, we will spend the rest of the morning exploring the Metropolitan Natural Park, a 265-hectare protected rainforest within the city limits and one of the best places for wildlife observation in Panama City. This park features a network of well-maintained trails where we often encounter two species of sloths, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, agoutis, coatis, and other interesting bird species like motmots, toucans, trogons, manakins, and more. With its combination of accessible hiking and rich biodiversity, Metropolitan Park is ideal for wildlife photography, birdwatching, or simply enjoying a walk in a tropical forest.