Panama City is filled with numerous activities for all types of travelers. It has everything from fish markets to sloth sanctuaries making this city truly something unique! One of the best activities to do in Panama City is the great Ancon Hill hike. This exciting attraction is made not only for nature and wildlife lovers, but also for history fanatics alike. In this guide, we will tell you all the details about visiting Ancon Hill and why this hike should have a spot on your Panama City itinerary!
Jump to
History of Ancon Hill
Ancon Hill is the tallest point in Panama City. Back when the Panama Canal was being built, the hill was used as an administrative observation point where officials could oversee construction of the project. The hill boasts panoramic views of Panama City, so naturally it fit the part.
Ancon Hill stayed under U.S jurisdiction along with the rest of the canal until 1977. After it was returned to Panama, they turned the location into a reserve for people to enjoy the stunning views and the active wildlife that live in the area.
Hiking Ancon Hill
Ancon Hill itself is 653 feet high and the hike up to the top is not very strenuous. Any mobile traveller could easily do this hike including children. The top can be reached in 30 minutes if you aren’t stopping too much for photos and wildlife spotting.
The path is paved the entire way since cars could at one point drive to the top. Nowadays though the road is just for pedestrian and employee use. There are a couple sets of steep stairs along the way, FYI!
There are plenty of chances to encounter wildlife while completing this hike! The area is known for sloths, coatis, armadillos, frogs, and many more. It may be hard to spot most of the animals if you don’t have a wildlife guide with you. When we went, we only saw poison dart frogs, but we spoke with other hikers who said they encountered sloths, monkeys, and a toucan!
Along with wildlife, there is also plenty of viewpoints along the hike. You will come across views of downtown, Casco Viejo, the canal, and the Bridge Of The Americas. There are benches at most of the lookouts for you to rest your feet.
Check out our complete guide on visiting Panama City!
How to get to Ancon Hill
Getting to the trailhead is super easy. For starters, we recommend that you do not rent a car in Panama City. The city has plenty of ride-share services that are safe and super affordable. On your Uber app, catch a ride to ‘Ancon hill’- the driver will probably drop you off outside of Mi Pueblito which is super close to the trailhead. Ancon Hill is located just outside of Casco Viejo so the ride shouldn’t be too long from anywhere in Panama City.
If you do get dropped off at Mi Pueblito, start walking the opposite direction up a slight hill for a few minutes. The trailhead is marked by a set of stairs on your right with red railing. Walk up those stairs and voila! You have officially started the hike. This is the location of the stairs.
A few yards later there will be an office looking shack where there is sometimes a government official sitting. When we went there was no one there, but either way just keep walking through the gate and continue on the hike.
Should you hire a wildlife guide?
If you really want to spot wildlife on this hike as well as learn about Panama City’s history, hiring a guide to go with you to Ancon Hill is not a bad idea. Most tour guides will pair this activity with another walking tour in Casco Viejo or a canal tour.
However, there are plenty of other opportunities to see wildlife in Panama, such as visiting Monkey Island near Panama City. Hiring a guide for Ancon Hill isn’t necessary but it is something to consider after working out other activities on your itinerary.
Hours, fees, and more info
The Ancon Hill reserve is one of the many free things to do in Panama City! Perfect for budget travelers.
I have heard conflicting information on what time the reserve officially opens. Some say it opens at 6 am but others say 5:30 am. I also heard that it is open during daylight hours which makes sense! I wouldn’t even attempt to go in the dark as a tourist either way. Going early in the morning is a great choice to avoid the heat and you will have a greater chance of seeing animals with less people around.
There are bathrooms available at the top of the hill as well as at Mi Pueblito near the trailhead.
FYI, flying a drone in this area is prohibited. There is security monitoring this area and a drone won’t even be able to take-off within the reserve.
Planning your trip to Panama
If you are researching for your upcoming trip to Panama, check out some of our other posts we’ve written for this incredible country:
10 Things To Know Before Visiting Panama
Comment your Panama tips and experiences below! 🙂
