Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
4.5
About
The Panamá Rainforest Discovery Center is the main project of the Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann, non-profit environmental organization for the conservation of birds in Panama. Our objective is to protect the tropical rainforest throught sustainable tourism.We offer bird feeders, a 32 meters observation tower, 2 kilometers of trails, gift sotre and educational programs for students.Most of the staff of the Panamá Rainforest Discovery Center are from neighbouring communities. They are incorporated into the center after going through a training and selection program.
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More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
231 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
59
Average
18
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Yoel J
5 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
This is an absolute must do! Highlight of our trip for sure! It’s so pristine and buzzing with nature (not literally, we didn’t see a single mosquito) . From the Hummingbird exhibit to the Lake to the 100 foot tower, it was totally worth the $30 admission fee. Just make a left turn at the sign that is approximately 1.5 miles into the path.
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Israel Reiselei... U
Tel Aviv, Israel1,420 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
The walking trails are well maintained and easy. Also climbing up the lookout tower is comfortable.
Hummingbird watching is excellent, other birds and wildlife not too much around.
However $30 entrance fee is much too high ' $ 15 would be in place. Panamanians pay $ 5.
Hummingbird watching is excellent, other birds and wildlife not too much around.
However $30 entrance fee is much too high ' $ 15 would be in place. Panamanians pay $ 5.
Written December 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter R
3 contributions
Aug 2022
Not a long drive from Panama City, but the last two kilometers are rough road. The rain forest discovery center is a gem of an experience. I walked down a trail to the hummingbird station where there are feeders to attract hummingbirds. A wonderful guide named Julie pointed out the different species and gave great information about their habits, and showed me how by sitting quietly the hummingbirds would come very close.
Just before a (short-lived) tropical rain started, the howler monkeys nearby began calling- it was a magical moment. Julie mentioned that they often begin calling when the rain starts. Then I climbed the rainforest observation tower and looked over the canopy- parrots and hawks and butterflies flying around, and you an even see ships passing through the Panama Canal through the trees.
Just before a (short-lived) tropical rain started, the howler monkeys nearby began calling- it was a magical moment. Julie mentioned that they often begin calling when the rain starts. Then I climbed the rainforest observation tower and looked over the canopy- parrots and hawks and butterflies flying around, and you an even see ships passing through the Panama Canal through the trees.
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tchadwh
16 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
A great place to hike/walk. You never know what you will see. Birds and more birds, look down and you see lots of insects (ants). It was cool to walk up the tower and be above the jungle. Bathrooms at the center, with some seats. Plenty of humming birds zipping back and forth. Maybe pricey 30 bucks, but worth it. The dort rd is a little bumpy. Some people park and walk to the entrance.
If u have a free morning before it gets to hot, great place to enjoy nature.
If u have a free morning before it gets to hot, great place to enjoy nature.
Written December 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth K
San Carlos, Panama4 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
I have visited the Center many times since 2008 and was saddened to find it in a deplorable state of disrepair. There were no guides, no scopes---only an apathetic employee collecting the entrance fee of $30.00, and a young man on a 4 wheeler, presumably keeping out intruders. The trails were dangerous with loose, rotten, and missing planks, and the handrails were filthy with rust. The tower is badly in need of repair, and the overall atmosphere is one of abandonment. The guide books speak of making reservations, but the web site is down and the phone appears to be disconnected. I would put it last on the list of places to visit in Gamboa. One could have a much safer and more rewarding experience by simply walking the Pipeline Road, for which a nominal fee is charged.
Written December 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, thanks for you review.
6 years later we are glad to inform you that we are number 1 in Gamboa! We made changes in order to improve customer service satisfaction.
I hope you can visit us.
Written September 4, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ana B
11 contributions
My husband and I visited without a guide. We took a cab to the center and asked him to wait for us while we hiked for 5 hours! You HAVE to make sure the taxi waits for you since this place is in the middle of the rainforest and there is no civilization around. Our cab charged us $70 roundtrip (from the city to the discovery ctr and back) but we gave him a little extra because of the insane off road driving he had to do to get us there. Also, it seems that panamanians do not know where the center is so come prepared with your google map printed in spanish and let him know that it is in Gamboa about 3km past the hotel. All this is worth it. You are by yourself in a beautiful park surrounded by monkeys, sloths, birds, rainforest bugs, and we even saw a crocodile. If you are lucky, there will even be biologists at the top of the tower letting you in on cool birds they are seeing. My husband and I did organized tours but none of those beat our day at the discovery center.
Written October 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for this review
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is managed by Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann, a nonprofit organization established to protect Panama birds and their hábitats.
All profits go to conservation and environmental educational programs.
We are looking for grants and donations for maintenance of the observation tower, visitor center and access road.
I hope for your next visit, the maintenance is done.
Written October 22, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SoozeQ83
Boise, ID127 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
I was set up with a taxi from my hotel and when I got there paid the 20.00 as I was getting in after 10a (its 30.00 showing up earlier) I only ran across one other person so I had the rainforest to myself! It was quite the treat. The tower was amazing!!! So high up! Only recomendation is one that I shouldve thought of, I accidentally had my flash on and actually got the opportunity to see monkeys. I scared them and they came clambering down from the trees. I felt horrible. Dont use flash on the wildlife! They do not like it and youll feel like a heel haha! All in all this was a great value and I loved the independence of it all. The self pace is relaxing and the path was so easy to follow its impossible to get lost. Highly recomend this as an inexpensive alternative to guided tours.
Written June 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comment that allowing us to constantly improve. In this way we can offer a memorable experience in the tropical forest of Panama, combining environmental education and sustainable tourism.
We are glad that you enjoyed the visit at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, and we hope you can repeat the experience soon with us.
And thanks to your support we have won the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor.
Best regards,
Written June 12, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
molia
Panama40 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
After almost 5 years of living in Panama, trust me when I say that the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center embodies what is best about Panama and its wildlife. Although I love nature, I am not a serious birder by any means. Nonetheless, something keeps bringing me back to the Discovery Center... Whether it's the exuberant, lush vegetation, the songs of the birds or watching the sun rise from the canopy tower, I cannot say. This is definitely a special place to visit.
Some have pointed out that it is hard to get to. Of course it is... it's in the middle of a rainforest. The roads are not in the best condition and that makes the drive quite a bit longer than some might expect. Personally, I think it is part of the appeal.
If you are going to do it, plan to be at the Center before 6h30. There is a reason the tickets are cheaper after 10h00 am... It's because you won't see anything that late in the day. The whole point of the Center is to be in communion with the animals/birds and watch nature wake up. If you are early enough, you can watch the sun rise over the canopy; you can hear the Howler Monkeys "yawn"; you can observe the tropical birds hop around and start their day... It really is quite magical.
Also, the naturalist guides that are currently working at the Center do not speak English. However, they are quite knowledgable about the birds and the area and are very friendly. If you do not speak Spanish, an easy way around this is to hire a bilingual guide/escort/driver. Your guide/escort/driver can accompany you and translate what the local guides are saying.
So, wake up early, go up to the Tower, watch the natural world awaken and then hike around to see the lake. If you find yourself smiling long after you have left the Center, it will be because you have lived the true Panama experience.
Some have pointed out that it is hard to get to. Of course it is... it's in the middle of a rainforest. The roads are not in the best condition and that makes the drive quite a bit longer than some might expect. Personally, I think it is part of the appeal.
If you are going to do it, plan to be at the Center before 6h30. There is a reason the tickets are cheaper after 10h00 am... It's because you won't see anything that late in the day. The whole point of the Center is to be in communion with the animals/birds and watch nature wake up. If you are early enough, you can watch the sun rise over the canopy; you can hear the Howler Monkeys "yawn"; you can observe the tropical birds hop around and start their day... It really is quite magical.
Also, the naturalist guides that are currently working at the Center do not speak English. However, they are quite knowledgable about the birds and the area and are very friendly. If you do not speak Spanish, an easy way around this is to hire a bilingual guide/escort/driver. Your guide/escort/driver can accompany you and translate what the local guides are saying.
So, wake up early, go up to the Tower, watch the natural world awaken and then hike around to see the lake. If you find yourself smiling long after you have left the Center, it will be because you have lived the true Panama experience.
Written February 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comment that allowing us to constantly improve. In this way we can offer a memorable experience in the tropical forest of Panama, combining environmental education and sustainable tourism.
We are glad that you enjoyed the visit at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, and we hope you can repeat the experience soon with us.
And thanks to your support we have won the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor.
Best regards,
Written June 12, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
El_Chiners
Panama City, Panama2,058 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
Panama is packed with tropical rainforests, and there are plenty of national or natural parks in which visitors can observe the large amount of biodiversity that can be found in them. However, access to several parks might be difficult, requiring long traveling times, having great physical fitness, or being experienced in hiking. The Soberanía National Park is quite close to Panama City and the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, located within the park, has an array of facilities that makes it easy for any ordinary and inexperienced person to enjoy this park.
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center has a small staff, yet very helpful, assisting tourists at the visitor's center and at the 100 feet high observation tower. They're very friendly and enjoy giving visitors information about the park, what can be seen in the trails and the observation tower, the animals' behaviors, etc. The trails are quite short, well marked and easy to do, that's why I mentioned that any ordinary person can walk them. But don't believe that because it's easy to walk you won't get to see many animals: this is a tropical rainforest, after all. In a short walk, we saw plenty of birds (including some birds of prey from the observation tower), a few mammals and a pair of crocodiles. Climbing up the observation tower does require some phyisical effort, but it's worth it.
The visitors center has basic but adequate facilities. There are toilets and you can get a much-needed dose of cold drinks and snacks from its small shop once you get back from hiking. Also, part of the entry fee can be used as credit towards purchasing any goods from the shop.
Something else that it's worth mentioning is that the whole place is run by a nonprofit association called Avifauna, whose goal is protect Panama's birds and to educate the general public about why it's important to do so. The facilities were constructed without felling down a single tree, using existing clearings and roads in the jungle.
Needless to say, we were very happy to find out about this place and visiting it, and we expect to be back a few more times.
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center has a small staff, yet very helpful, assisting tourists at the visitor's center and at the 100 feet high observation tower. They're very friendly and enjoy giving visitors information about the park, what can be seen in the trails and the observation tower, the animals' behaviors, etc. The trails are quite short, well marked and easy to do, that's why I mentioned that any ordinary person can walk them. But don't believe that because it's easy to walk you won't get to see many animals: this is a tropical rainforest, after all. In a short walk, we saw plenty of birds (including some birds of prey from the observation tower), a few mammals and a pair of crocodiles. Climbing up the observation tower does require some phyisical effort, but it's worth it.
The visitors center has basic but adequate facilities. There are toilets and you can get a much-needed dose of cold drinks and snacks from its small shop once you get back from hiking. Also, part of the entry fee can be used as credit towards purchasing any goods from the shop.
Something else that it's worth mentioning is that the whole place is run by a nonprofit association called Avifauna, whose goal is protect Panama's birds and to educate the general public about why it's important to do so. The facilities were constructed without felling down a single tree, using existing clearings and roads in the jungle.
Needless to say, we were very happy to find out about this place and visiting it, and we expect to be back a few more times.
Written October 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comment that allowing us to constantly improve. In this way we can offer a memorable experience in the tropical forest of Panama, combining environmental education and sustainable tourism.
We are glad that you enjoyed the visit at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, and we hope you can repeat the experience soon with us.
And thanks to your support we have won the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor.
Best regards,
Written June 11, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LindaA99
Bellbrook, OH470 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
If you are a bird watcher, make sure that you get to the Tower early in the morning to catch the early activity of the birds. You can see Toucans, Puffbirds, Raptors, and much more from the tower. In addition, they have hummingbird feeders at the visitor center and you can sit there for hours just watching different kinds of hummingbirds come to the feeders. Great place....highly recommended for those interested in birds. If you want to see other types of animals, we didn't see much else other than squirrels, agoti and one wild pig.
Written January 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comment that allowing us to constantly improve. In this way we can offer a memorable experience in the tropical forest of Panama, combining environmental education and sustainable tourism.
We are glad that you enjoyed the visit at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, and we hope you can repeat the experience soon with us.
And thanks to your support we have won the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor.
Best regards,
Written June 18, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vanternative
Los Angeles, CA6 contributions
Buenas - do I need a reservation to visit solo, or just for a group?
Como puedo llegar al hilton de aqui del chorrillo en bus
En bus hotel hilton panama
Hokota M
34 contributions
1) I will go to PRDC on January 2 next year by a rental car. Is reservation necessary for that?
2) Is there hummingbirds in the feeder around noon?
Karen Avila
Panama City, Panama
Hi, you dont need to make a reservation ;)
Hummingbirds are all over the visitor center at noon.
eleanorwatkin
London, UK83 contributions
Hello how much are tickets for children (age 12)? Are there family tickets ?
eleanorwatkin
London, UK83 contributions
Thanks is that $30 for kids too ?
Hokota M
34 contributions
Thank you Karen. Is it open from Jan 1th to 5th next year?
Karen Avila
Panama City, Panama
Good morning, we will be close on Jan 1st due Holidays.
Returning on Jan 2nd.
Looking fwd to seeing you!
Is there a parking lot for guests in Discovery Center? I will drive a car to Discovery Center for bird watching.
Karen Avila
Panama City, Panama
Hi Masato, we do have parking area. I recommend to rent a sub since the road isn't good condition due the raining season
Thomas Z
8 contributions
Hello, is it open on the 25th of December ?
Karen Avila
Panama City, Panama
Sorry for the delayed response.
We will be closed during December 25th.
tapi45
Las Varillas- Córdoba853 contributions
Hola. me podrian informar el valor de la entrada. Que tiempo debo disponer para la visita y si se puede adquirir comida. Muchas gracias
Karen Avila
Panama City, Panama
Hola espero que estes bien y mil disculpas por no responder anteriormente.
Vendemos comida solamente los domingos (pescado frito con patacones)
La visita la puedes realizer en cualquier momento. Abrimos en horario de 6:00 a.m a 4:00 p.m y estamos cerrados el 25 de dic y 1 ero de diciembre.
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Claim your listingPanama Rainforest Discovery Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
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Panama Rainforest Discovery Center Information
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