must-visit in Panama CityNational Park & Nature

Metropolitan Natural Park

📍 Metropolitan Natural Park, Panama City, Panama

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★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location: Panama, Panama City
Category: National Park & Nature
Duration: 2-3 hours
Opening Hours: Daily 06:00-16:30 (some sources list 07:00)
Ticket Price: Adult: US$4 · US$4 foreign adults, discounts for residents and children, cash only
Address: Metropolitan Natural Park, Panama City, Panama
Coordinates: 8.9854, -79.5467

Introduction

The Metropolitan Natural Park (Parque Natural Metropolitano) lies in the Ancon district on the northern edge of Panama City, along Avenida Juan Pablo II, and is the only wildlife refuge inside the city. Created by Law No. 8 of 5 July 1985 and inaugurated on 5 June 1988, it covers about 265 hectares, roughly 75 percent of it Pacific tropical dry forest, an ecosystem that has almost vanished elsewhere in Panama. Seven trails total about 5 km through dry forest, cactus scrub and tall trees reaching 30 to 35 metres. The park records 227 bird species, 45 mammals, 36 snakes and 14 amphibians, plus around 284 plant species. Geoffroy's tamarin is the small primate most often seen, with toucans, chachalacas and coatis turning up beside the trail. From the roughly 150-metre lookout hill the city skyline and the canal come into the same frame. The site saw fighting during the late-1980s US intervention and was only fully protected afterwards.

✨ Highlights

The City's Only Wildlife Refuge

The only protected green space inside Panama City, about ten minutes from downtown, rare dry forest beside a Latin American capital.

265 Hectares of Pacific Dry Forest

About 75 percent of the 265 hectares is Pacific tropical dry forest, an ecosystem that has nearly vanished elsewhere in Panama, with canopy trees 30 to 35 metres tall.

227 Recorded Bird Species

The park lists 227 birds, 45 mammals and 36 snakes, the continuous canopy giving birds complete cover.

Geoffroy's Tamarins and Toucans

Geoffroy's tamarin is the small primate most often seen, with toucans, chachalacas and coatis by the trail at dawn.

The 150-Metre Lookout Hill

From the roughly 150-metre summit the city skyline and the canal come into one frame, a rare free high view in Panama City.

From Battlefield to Reserve

The site saw fighting during the late-1980s US intervention and was only fully protected afterwards, opening as a nature park in 1988.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：2-3 hours; the seven trails total about 5 km, so pick two loops plus the lookout hill.

→Facilities：Trail maps and basic information at the entrance, but no shops or food inside. Bring water, repellent and a hat.

→Best Time：Early morning 07:00-10:00, when it is cooler and tamarins, toucans and coatis are active; midday is humid and birds go quiet.

→Worth it?：Yes. Rare dry forest on a capital's edge for only US$4, and the only place near Panama City to see sloths, tamarins and toucans up close. Pairs well with Ancon Hill.

→Watch out：Trail signage is limited, so take a map at the entrance. Some stretches are steep and slippery, so wear grip shoes. Do not feed wildlife, and note the 16:30 close.

→Opening Hours：Daily 06:00-16:30 (some sources list 07:00)

→Transportation：In the Ancon district, reached along Avenida Juan Pablo II; about 10-15 min by taxi from downtown, or bus to Albrook then walk. Parking at the entrance.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	US$4

US$4 foreign adults, discounts for residents and children, cash only

💡 Tips

• Take a trail map at the entrance; signage inside is limited and there are many forks.

• Early morning 07:00-10:00 is best, when tamarins, toucans and coatis are active.

• Cash only, so carry US dollar change; residents and children get reduced rates.

• Some stretches are steep and slippery; wear grip shoes and bring repellent.

• The 150-metre lookout hill is the spot for skyline and canal in one frame.

• Pair it with neighbouring Ancon Hill for a half-day urban nature route.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Metropolitan Natural Park?

Daily 06:00-16:30 (some sources list 07:00)

How much is the admission for Metropolitan Natural Park?

Adult: US$4; US$4 foreign adults, discounts for residents and children, cash only

Any practical tips for visiting Metropolitan Natural Park?

Take a trail map at the entrance; signage inside is limited and there are many forks. Early morning 07:00-10:00 is best, when tamarins, toucans and coatis are active.