Last verified: 4 November 2026. Every figure links to its official source.
Contents of this guide
Which nature parks are near Panama City and how to choose
The Metropolitan Natural Park sits inside the city, in Ancón, at the end of Avenida Juan Pablo II, and is the most direct to reach. The Cerro Ancón Natural Reserve is also in the urban area. Soberanía and Camino de Cruces are national parks run by the Ministry of Environment; Soberanía protects part of the watershed that supplies the Canal.
The Metropolitan Natural Park has seven marked trails and requires no guide, according to the Panama Tourism Authority. Soberanía National Park was created by Executive Decree 13 of 27 May 1980, and the Ministry highlights the Pipeline Road (Camino del Oleoducto) for its bird diversity. Camino de Cruces National Park has five trails: Bambú, Camino de Cruces, Guayacanes, Búho de Anteojos and Camarón.
Visitors who want to pair the outing with a beach day can check Radar’s guide to Taboga Island.
Hours and entry for each park
The Metropolitan Natural Park opens its trails Monday to Sunday, holidays included, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Cerro Ancón Natural Reserve receives visitors from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. since 29 January 2026. The Ministry of Environment announced visiting hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in protected areas during the national holiday period.
| Park | Hours | Entry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Natural Park | Monday to Sunday, holidays included, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (trails) | National and resident adults 2.00 dollars; minors 3 to 17 years 1.00; retirees and pensioners 1.00; foreign adults 5.00; foreign minors 3.00 | Metropolitan Natural Park |
| Cerro Ancón Natural Reserve | 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., every day, since 29 January 2026 | The notice states no amounts; the Ministry’s reservation system includes this reserve | Ministry of Environment |
| Soberanía National Park and Camino de Cruces National Park | 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. per the Ministry’s notice for the national holiday period, 30 October to 11 November 2026 | The pages consulted publish no amounts; admission is handled in the reservation system | Ministry of Environment |
At the Metropolitan, the Tourism Authority says entry is paid at the visitor center. For Cerro Ancón, Soberanía and Camino de Cruces, the Ministry’s protected-area reservation system lists all three areas. According to its notice, the booking is made under Resolution DM-0173-2026 of 24 April 2026: a date is chosen, each visitor’s details are entered, payment goes through PlaceToPay and the generated code is shown at the entrance, where staff verify it. Exact amounts are checked there.
- Choose the park by available time: the Metropolitan suits short visits, with trails of a few minutes up to about 45 minutes.
- Check the day’s hours, especially on holidays, when the Ministry may adjust them.
- Reserve and pay in the Ministry’s system if the destination is Cerro Ancón, Soberanía or Camino de Cruces.
- Arrive with margin before the trails close.
Metropolitan Natural Park trails: distance and difficulty
The Metropolitan Natural Park offers seven trails ranging from 0.07 to 1.1 kilometers and from easy to moderate-hard, according to the park’s own trail pages. Per the Tourism Authority, the Dorothy Wilson trail is paved and designed for reduced mobility. Park guides escort visitors from the visitor center to the trailheads.
| Trail | Distance | Approximate time | Difficulty | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorothy Wilson | 0.3 km | 10 minutes | Easy | trail page |
| El Roble | 0.7 km | 30 minutes | Easy | trail page |
| Los Momótides | 0.9 km | 20 minutes | Easy | trail page |
| Los Guayacanes | 0.07 km | 2 minutes | Easy | trail page |
| Camino del Mono Tití | 1.1 km | not stated | Moderate | trail page |
| La Cienaguita | 1.1 km | not stated | Moderate | trail page |
| Los Caobos | 0.9 km | 45 minutes | Moderate to hard | trail page |
Guided tours run Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with advance booking by email, phone or WhatsApp, according to the tours page. The park’s phone is 232-5552. Guided activities are cancelled in rain, per the park’s regulations.
Soberanía National Park and Camino de Cruces National Park
Soberanía and Camino de Cruces are Ministry of Environment national parks whose admission is handled online. Soberanía stands out for the Pipeline Road, with one of the country’s greatest bird diversities, and for its howler monkeys, three-toed sloths and jaguarundis. Camino de Cruces has five trails, which a group of visually impaired visitors walked in an outing of about 2 kilometers.
The Ministry’s September 2024 note on Camino de Cruces describes a walk of roughly 2 kilometers that covered all five trails, and its Soberanía page cites the Pipeline Road as a reference for birdwatching. The Ministry pages consulted publish neither per-trail distances nor entry amounts, so those details are checked in the reservation system or with park staff.
During the national holiday period, the Ministry announced extra staff at both parks and asked visitors to respect the hours, use only the open trails, meet entry requirements, including payment of admission, and follow rangers’ instructions. The notice recommends checking the area’s status on the institution’s social media and website before visiting. To place the days off, Radar’s guide to the November holidays helps.
What to bring and basic rules
The Metropolitan Natural Park recommends light, comfortable clothing, long pants, closed shoes and a cap, plus water and a healthy snack. It advises avoiding perfume and scented creams because they attract insects. In the dry season it suggests sunscreen, and in the rainy season biodegradable repellent and a poncho.
- Health: a basic first-aid kit and, for anyone with insect-sting allergies or another condition, their medication and a heads-up to staff, per the park regulations.
- Not allowed at the Metropolitan: pets, alcoholic drinks, smoking, bonfires, camping, bicycles, balls or feeding animals. Groups on trails are limited to 15 people.
- Cerro Ancón: single-use plastic and polystyrene products may not be brought in, used or sold, under Resolution DM-0496-2025, and riding up on bicycles, skates, motorcycles or scooters is banned, according to the Ministry notice of 28 January 2026. Visitors are asked to use reusable bottles.
To place long weekends and days off, it helps to check Panama’s public holidays.
Myths and facts
- Myth: a guide is needed to hike the Metropolitan. Fact: the trails are marked and can be walked without a guide; guided tours are booked separately.
- Myth: every park closes at the same time. Fact: the Metropolitan closes its trails at 4:30 p.m. and Cerro Ancón at 6:00 p.m.
- Myth: entry costs the same for everyone. Fact: the Metropolitan has different rates for nationals and residents, foreigners, minors and retirees.
- Myth: Cerro Ancón can be climbed by bike or motorbike. Fact: the Ministry’s January 2026 notice bans it.
Radar’s guide to Taboga Island complements the outing: the ferry from Amador, schedules and what to do on the island.
Frequently asked questions
Which nature parks are near Panama City?
The Metropolitan Natural Park, the Cerro Ancón Natural Reserve, Soberanía National Park and Camino de Cruces National Park. The last two are run by the Ministry of Environment, and its online reservation system lists Soberanía, Camino de Cruces and Cerro Ancón.
What time does the Metropolitan Natural Park open?
Its trails open Monday to Sunday, holidays included, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The administrative office has different hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
How much does it cost to enter the Metropolitan Natural Park?
A national or resident adult pays 2 dollars and a foreign adult, 5 dollars. Minors from 3 to 17 pay 1 dollar if national or resident and 3 dollars if foreign; retirees and pensioners pay 1 dollar.
Can Cerro Ancón be visited and at what hours?
Yes. The Cerro Ancón Natural Reserve receives visitors from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., every day, since 29 January 2026. Riding up on bicycles, motorcycles, skates or scooters is banned.
What should be taken to a Metropolitan Natural Park trail?
Light, comfortable clothing, long pants, closed shoes, a cap, water and a snack. In the dry season sunscreen is added and in the rains a poncho and biodegradable repellent; the park also asks to avoid perfumes.
Related articles
- Taboga Island from Panama City: how to get there, ferry times and what to do
- November holidays in Panama: long weekends and what closes
- Panama public holidays
- New Year’s Eve in Panama: plans, events and what is open
- Tourism in Panama: sector figures and what they mean
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026. Several official sources are in Spanish.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, front page: hours, entry fees and prohibitions.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, regulations and visitor recommendations.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, tours and self-guided visits.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, Dorothy Wilson trail.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, El Roble trail.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, Los Momótides trail.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, Los Guayacanes trail.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, Camino del Mono Tití.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, La Cienaguita trail.
- Metropolitan Natural Park, Los Caobos trail.
- Panama Tourism Authority (Visit Panamá), Metropolitan Natural Park.
- Ministry of Environment, new hours for the Cerro Ancón Natural Reserve (28 January 2026).
- Ministry of Environment, protected areas ready to receive visitors on national holidays (20 October 2026).
- Ministry of Environment, Soberanía National Park.
- Ministry of Environment, Camino de Cruces National Park (28 September 2024).
- Ministry of Environment, protected-area reservation system.
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