METROPOLITAN NATURE PARK
TOUR DESCRIPTION Metropolitan Nature Park, located only 15 minutes from downtown Panama City is the only protected rainforest within capital city limits in Latin America. The area has remained largely undisturbed for the last 80 years and is a great place to experience dry, deciduous, lowland tropical forest. What makes Metropolitan Nature Park so unique is that it is adjacent to the Panama Canal watershed that consists of 552,761 hectares (1,365,902 acres) of national parks and protected lands. Within the 265 hectares (655 acres) that make up the park you can find over 265 species of birds. Specialties include Lance-tailed Manakin, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Orange-billed Sparrow, Green Honeycreeper, Rufous and White Wren and many others. On this tour, you will enjoy a slow walk through the forest looking for wildlife while learning about your natural surroundings and encounters from your Naturalist guide.
PRICE
US$95 per person + 7% tax (2-3 persons)
US$65 per person + 7% tax (4+ persons)
INCLUDED Bilingual naturalist guide, water, park fees, transportation from/to your hotel in Panama City (please note that a $35 per person roundtrip surcharge based on 2+ persons must be added to day tours beginning and/or ending at Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Canopy Tower, Playa Bonita or hotels near Tocumen Airport)
DISCLAIMER Prices and itineraries are correct at the time of printing, however they are subject to change due to weather or local conditions, availabilities or factors beyond our control.
ITINERARY
Metropolitan Nature Park, located only 15 minutes from downtown Panama City is the only protected rainforest within capital city limits in Latin America. The area has remained largely undisturbed for the last 80 years and is a great place to experience dry, deciduous, lowland tropical forest. What makes Metropolitan Nature Park so unique is that it is adjacent to the Panama Canal watershed that consists of 552,761 hectares (1,365,902 acres) of national parks and protected lands. Within the 265 hectares (655 acres) that make up the park you can find over 265 species of birds. Specialties include Lance-tailed Manakin, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Orange-billed Sparrow, Green Honeycreeper, Rufous and White Wren and many others. On this tour, you will enjoy a slow walk through the forest looking for wildlife while learning about your natural surroundings and encounters from your Naturalist guide.
You will also look for the endemic Red-napped Tamarin in the trail named after this tiny primate. Furthermore, the Three-toed sloth, Agouti, Coatimundi, Iguana, Yellow-crown amazon parrot and Keel-billed toucan are common occurrence at Metropolitan Nature Park.
From the top of the hill at the park’s highest point located at 150 meters above sea level, you can enjoy impressive views of bustling cosmopolitan Panama City, the Bay of Panama and the islands of Perico, Naos, Flamenco, Taboguilla and Taboga. You can also observe the Panama Canal entrance on the Pacific side, the Bridge of the Americas, and Ancon Hill.
DETAILS
TOUR SCHEDULE
07:00 hrs Pick up at your hotel lobby
11:00 hrs Return back to your hotel
WHAT TO BRING
- Binoculars (available for rent at Ancon Expeditions of Panama)
- Refill water bottle
- Camera
- Cap or hat
- Sunscreen lotion
- Insect Repellant
- Light clothing
- Light raincoat
- Good traction footwear
TIPPING
Ancon Expeditions is Panama’s top eco-tourism operator. Our Natural & Cultural History Guides are the country's finest. Due to frequently asked questions from our clients about suggested guide & staff gratuities, we would like to provide you with the following universal tipping guidelines:
- Naturalist guide/Tour leader: US$10.00-US$20.00 per person/day
- Day tour guide: US$10.00 per person/day
- Transfer driver: US$2.00 per person
- Tour driver: US$5.00 per person/day
REVIEWS
"The day with Hernan was the best of all. The trail at Metro Park was fabulous. Hernan brought his professional scope and tripod, and I was able to see some amazing animals up close. The highlight of the day for me was seeing a three-toed sloth. I can't say enough good things about Hernan. He is so knowledgeable, personable and enthusiastic! Our animal- and bird-spotting on the trail was thrilling and I thoroughly enjoyed Hernan's company every step of the way. I am sure tomorrow's tour will be a wonderful ending to my time in Panama. Thank you!"
Pamela J. Macleod, USA
"Ancon Expeditions of Panama underpromised and overdelivered on the quality of the guide and logistics!"
Mitch Cheney, USA
"The tour was perfect and we were very happy! Especially our guide Ivan was very nice and knew a lot about the nature and animals!"
Sandra Gächter, Switzerland
"Just a quick note to thank you for arranging our wonderful trip in January 2010 to Panama. The surprise experience (and highlight!) for me in Panama was the biologist's gondola trip above Panama City's Metropolitan Park at dawn. It was incredible. Ancon did a great job for us - we really liked Roberto as a guide."
Karen Eckman, USA
“Ancon Expeditions of Panama did an outstanding job of creating a tour just for the four of us that allowed us to see the best of Panama in a short time. You guys did a great job of customizing a package for us at a reasonable price, and the quality of the guides and drivers was outstanding. Everything was so professional and well done, we will recommend Ancon Expeditions of Panama to our friends. Great job, especially Melanie.”
Jerry Ribnick, USA
