Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
Gamboa, Panama
Glimpse Panama’s wild side at this ecotourism complex in Gamboa, complete with darting hummingbirds, forest canopy observation platforms, and lush trails. Its location on the jungle-flanked Pipeline Road has long been famed among bird-watchers. Whether you’re watching aquatic birds in Calamito Lake from a waterside deck, or spotting monkeys swinging through trees, there’s plenty for nature lovers to see and do.
The basics
Following a trip to the visitor center (made using reclaimed Canal Zone materials), travelers continue to a 105-foot (32-meter) observation platform and 0.7-mile (1.1-kilometer) forest trail with wildlife-watching sites. Guided tours from Panama City are popular ways to visit, and sometimes include additional stops at nearby sites like the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary or Gatun Lake. Tours generally include round-trip transportation, too, which makes this a hassle-free option—some even offer airport pickup and drop-off for travelers on long layovers.
Things to know before you go
- This is a great stop for families, with discounted admission for kids up to age 12.
- Bring plenty of bug spray, and consider covering up with long pants and sleeves.
- Sneakers or hiking boots are a must for exploring forest trails, which include some uneven terrain.
How to get there
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is in Gamboa, about a 45-minute drive from Panama City—it’s a little under an hour from Tocumen International Airport. Public transit options are limited, which is why many travelers opt for a guided tour. If you’re driving yourself, though, you’ll find a parking lot on-site.
When to get there
The discovery center is open daily. While you can spot wildlife throughout the day, many species are most active in the early morning hours. Some visitors opt to leave Panama City before dawn, to catch sunrise in the Gamboa area and along Pipeline Road before the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center opens for the day.
Best day trips from Panama City for nature lovers
Some of the country’s most fascinating nature sites are easy to reach on day trips from the capital city—like excursions to Gatun Lake’s Monkey Island, which is home to a big population of howler monkeys. Other favorite day trips include snorkeling amid the San Blas Islands’ vibrant marine life, cruising the Panama Canal, and cloud forest hikes through Volcan Baru National Park.
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