Metropolitan National Park
Metropolitan National Park
Metropolitan National Park
4.5
About
This 265-hectare national treasure is located within Panama City’s Ancon district, and is the only protected area in Central America located within city boundaries. Standing along the Panama Canal’s eastern shore, it’s home to dozens of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and trees. With lookout points, four well-marked trails, a scenic road and a Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute canopy crane structure, guests can explore on their own. The Park also offers guided tours to groups for a fee (five-person minimum) if booked well in advance.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
769 reviews
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355
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298
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93
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Ernesto_709
Naucalpan, Mexico1,705 contributions
May 2024 • Family
A few minutes from the city you can find this great activity, its cost is 4 USD for foreigners, but it is worth it, they explain how the route is and show you a map of it. Already starting the route, it takes you a certain amount of time to go up and down to the main viewpoint, depending on what difficulty of the path you choose.
Along the way you can find some animals and the best thing is its viewpoint, since you have a spectacular view of the city.
Along the way you can find some animals and the best thing is its viewpoint, since you have a spectacular view of the city.
Written May 27, 2024
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.
Mel E.
Panama City, Panama1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Solo
Being in the Park is an enviable experience, Panama is one of the few countries that has a forest within a metropolis. Being in the hustle and bustle of the city and taking a walk to release stress on the trails is rewarding. We must give more importance to our forest, take care of it and avoid bringing domestic animals that scare away wildlife, they can hurt them. The route is not difficult, it is very simple. The fee seems very economical and affordable to citizens, I have gone to other countries where entrance fees to the parks are very expensive. I can assume that this subsidy is to maintain the park. Beautiful and highly recommended. All the wild nature, its natural smells and rewarding visual experiences.
Written September 4, 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.
Panthera2013
London, UK94 contributions
Sep 2022
This park is quite an oasis in the middle of the city. If you enjoy checking out the birds, butterflies and trees, you will enjoy a visit to this park. There are two different trails to walk up to the view point from where you can see the city and sea, one is an easy trail and the other one longer and steeper however to get to the height of the view point even the easy one requires a fair hike up towards the end. It is hot and humid so try and do this early in the morning and carry water with you. Enjoy it!
Written September 27, 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.
wendave2
Toronto, Canada73 contributions
Feb 2023
We had a tour guide (Roberto Beitia of Conozca Panama Tours) to take four adults on a two hour hike of the main trail of this beautiful park. He pointed out the many varieties of wildlife and trees. A lot of the animals would have gone unnoticed except for Roberto's keen eye.
If you walk the trails on your own, there is a shorter and a longer version to choose. Keep your eyes open...there is a lot to see!
The climb up to the look out point is well worth the effort.
If you walk the trails on your own, there is a shorter and a longer version to choose. Keep your eyes open...there is a lot to see!
The climb up to the look out point is well worth the effort.
Written March 14, 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.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN5,971 contributions
Oct 2021
Pretty amazing peak into the surrounding rainforest right on the northern edge of Panama City. I came here to do the 3 mile hike up to the Mirador Cerro Cedro. Spectacular views of the Panama City skyline and ocean and surrounding countryside from here. I came in the midafternoon so not as much wildlife spotting as I suspect you would experience in the early morning. Also, really hot and humid making the 1000ft climb quite a workout. I did however run into a pack of coati scavenging at the rest area near the lookout spot. Took an inexpensive Uber here. Approximately $4 entrance fee.
Written May 17, 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.
Ralph L
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
First of all, please be aware that those selling you tours for this park at some 70 USD are ripping you off! Uber to the park $4. Tickets: $4 adults and $2 children. You get the routes and good explanation from the staff and then you explore. Exactly what you will do with a tour. The place is beautiful and hot.
Written August 9, 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.
Paul H
Gilford, NH6 contributions
Jan 2020
This was a treat. A !0 min Uber ride from our mid town hotel the park announces itself as you drive out of the busy streets to the shaded canopy of the jungle. We paid the entrance fee and got a trail map at the station. The trails were easy to follow and not to challenging. It took us about 2 1/2 hours at a casual pace This was the steeper trail according to the map. The views from the top Cerro Cedro were impressive. We saw many different species of animals and birds. If going try for early morning before the heat ramps up for the day and bring plenty of water.
Written February 4, 2020
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.
Phillip Dettleff
Santiago, Chile3,620 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
This park is a natural park with forests and lagoons, and excellent views of the city. It has a great variety of flora and fauna, making it excellent for seeing animals. The park is in the city, near the university. It is an unmissable visit.
Tips:
-The park has several trails with different difficulties. It is advisable to go up one and go down another to learn more.
-There is quite a bit of humidity, so bring plenty of water.
Tips:
-The park has several trails with different difficulties. It is advisable to go up one and go down another to learn more.
-There is quite a bit of humidity, so bring plenty of water.
Written March 29, 2024
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.
Diane K
Venice, FL4,583 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We walked for about 1 and a half hours on a hot windless day. We saw a variety of wildlife. The main trail that we were on was very near the road - so it blocked out the sounds of the wildlife. Bring a lot of water. We turned around after we finished 1 of our 2 bottles. There is a lot of up hill walking to get to the overlook to see the city.
Written February 4, 2020
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.
Melanie D
4 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
The park is beautiful and peaceful. You have the feeling of abundant nature in the middle of a huge city. We saw a monkey, many birds and a coati that walked right in front of us headed to the trash can. He hopped inside, found a morsel or two and popped back out walking again right by our feet. The view of Panama City was more than spactacular. The time and hike were well worth it. I would recommend visiting here.
Written December 13, 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.
Hi! I will have a few hours to explore while waiting for a friend to arrive at Tucomen airport (9am-3pm) and wanted to explore the nature park. I'll have a rental car. Is there safe parking here? Is there a place to have lunch at nearby? Can you hire a guide when you get there?
Written September 1, 2019
The parking is very safe. I do not think that they have guides available, but there are park employees who do an excellent job of explaining the trails and there are park maps available for purchase. We went to the nearby (5 min drive) Albrook Mall for lunch which has plenty of options between their two food courts.
Written September 2, 2019
Hi, we have only one day in Panama this Wednesday and want to see the Canal with ships going through plus have a walk in the park to look for animals (our son wants monkeys and sloths!). We are staying in Best Western Zen. I see that ships transit until about 10 am. So I am seeking advice on what to do first! If we go to canal first will it be bad timing and too hot to go to park afterwards? Are the two fairly close if we get taxis? Thanks!
Written September 11, 2018
My wife and I will be visiting Panama on a cruise on April 4th. We would like to visit the Metropolitan Park. It is accessible by taxi from the port? Do we need to get tickets in advance? Do tickets to the park include the Canopy Crane? Thanks, Steve
Written March 9, 2017
Take an Uber cab! Tickets at park, not busy at all. Really nice walks with a bit of uneven terrain/hills not too strenous will take 2/3 hours. It really is a jungle in town; hot and sweaty with city views. We saw many birds, insects, butterflies, monkeys and quite a few sloths. I think we were lucky!
Written March 23, 2017
Vou com uma criança de dois anos. Tem acesso para carrinho de bb? Tem estrutura para crianças? Obrigada
Written November 15, 2016
Hi, Im visiting Panama city next month with my husband and two daughters age 3 and 5 . Would you say the hike around the park is suitable for kids? Thanks, Roo
Written June 18, 2016
It is not a tough hike I guess it depends how happy you are carrying your children some of the way. There is by memory a short trail ... I would go
Written June 23, 2016
We will visit via taxi the park on 3 of July (8.a.m.) but need information about return taxis? Are there any at the park? What about rain?
Written May 31, 2015
mawick_sp
Sao Sebastiao, SP
1 contribution
Olá!
Qual o horário de funcionamento do parque? É possível chegar a pé a partir do bairro Marbella até uma das portarias do parque?
Obrigada,
Maíra
Hola!
Lo que el horario de apertura del parque? Es posible caminar desde el barrio de Marbella a una de las entradas del parque?
Gracias,
Maíra
Hello!
What the opening hours of the park? It is possible to walk from the Marbella neighborhood to one of the entrances of the park?
Thank you,
Maíra
Written May 31, 2015
Not easily as far as I know. It will involve a fair boit of walking. Taxis to the park are probably not expensive at all. You can ask the cab driver to come and pick you up in X hours, but make sure you set the fare before hand and pay him for both journeys after he drops you back to the hotel.
Written April 7, 2015
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