Parque Natural Metropolitano

Amazingly enough, you don’t even have to leave the limits of Panama City to find a tropical forest. This 265-hectare park is just minutes from downtown, and it’s a lovely little place with a surprising amount of wildlife given its location and size. Only brief day hikes are available here. Skip this park if time is short and you plan to venture out at least as far as Parque Nacional Soberanía, which is only about a half-hour drive away from the city. But if not, Parque Metropolitano gives a quick sample of what Panama’s forests have to offer.

Most of the park is dry lowland Pacific forest, now rare in Central America because of deforestation, and it’s home to about 45 species of mammals, 36 species of reptiles, and 14 species of amphibians. These include such colorful creatures as two- and three-toed sloths, monos tití (Geoffroy’s tamarin), and boa constrictors. As usual, however, don’t be surprised if you see only birds during a hike. The park has recorded 227 bird species.

Having an urban center this close to a nature park has its drawbacks: A new highway, Corredor Norte, cuts right through the park’s eastern edge, and other busy streets run by its borders. You’re never far from the roar of the road. Sadly, there have also been reports of muggings. Don’t wander on a trail alone.

There are about four kilometers of trails spread among three main loops. Not surprisingly, the most strenuous one, La Cienaguita, also offers the best chance of seeing animals. It takes about two hours to walk. It’s an interpretive trail; the visitor’s center sells an informative booklet about it for $2. The Mono Tití Road is, as the name suggests, a rocky road. Mountain biking is allowed on it, which would be great if there were a place to rent mountain bikes. It’s named for the monos tití (Geoffroy’s tamarin), a small primate that lucky visitors may see while hiking the trail. The easiest trail is Los Momótides, across an extremely busy road—be careful crossing the street. It’s short and level, designed for people in a hurry or who have difficulty walking, and it is a nice little walk.

The entrance to the park is on Avenida Juan Pablo II in the Curundu district of Panama City. Trails are open 6 a.m.–6 p.m. every day. There is no fee, but donations are encouraged. The visitors center offers a free brochure, but ask for the glossy color trail guide ($.50), which has a much-needed map. The visitors center is open 8 a.m.–4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday. Guided tours in English and Spanish are available for $6, but you have to call at least a day or two in advance. Call tel. 232-5552 or 232-5516.