Metropolitan Park
Discover the 200-acre nature reserve in the middle of the Panamanian capital,the Metropolitan Park.
El Parque Natural Metropolitano de Panamá, also known as “Parque metropolitano” or “El metropolitano” is a nature reserve and protected area located in Panama City, Republic of Panama. This protected area has an extension of more than 200 hectares and has trails, a butterfly garden, a viewpoint, among other points of interest. This park has the second highest point in the city followed by Cerro Ancón.
During the 20th century, part of the current park was used by The United States of America as a military base; the US Army had an heliport, a building known as “El Castillo”, and we have been informed of the existence of two nuclear bunkers built between 1914-1950. The Americans used to test engines in the "El Castillo", some neighbors from neighboring areas such as La Locería remember hearing test noises, and even along the route of some trails you can see elements of the engines that still remain there.
The place is mountainous, with moderate slopes, the climate of the park is tropical and its highlands have a temperate climate. At sea level the average temperature is 29°C. 75% of the park is covered by Pacific tropical dry forest. Throughout the surface of this park you can find a large number of different species of trees, such as Roble, Espavé, Panamá, Indio Desnudo, Cuipos, Corotú. Many of these trees can be between 30 and 35 meters tall.
Within the park you can find a lot of fauna, it is estimated that there are around 227 species of birds, among other types of land animals typical of a tropical forest such as the sloth, anteater, deer, turtles, ñeque and squirrels..
The park is used by nationals and tourists for hiking, the park has seven trails:The park is used by nationals and tourists for hiking, the park has seven trails:
- Los Guayacanes
- Sendero Dorothy Wilson
- El Roble
- La Cienaguita
- Los Caobos
- Los Momótides
- Mono tití
The longest trails are Mono Tití and La Cienaguita with an approximate length of 1100 meters (1.1 km) and require about an hour to travel. Many people exercise regularly by walking these trails, it is very good to exercise and better with plenty of fresh air.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has a crane to mobilize researchers and tourists so they can see the park's biodiversity in detail. Another place to visit is the butterfly garden, with dozens of butterflies of multiple species; This butterfly garden is easily accessible, it is located at the entrance of the park.
Many visitors carry out some other activities such as picnic, animal and fauna photography, visit to the viewpoint (Cerro Ancón and Panama City), bike ride, and kite flying. It is recommended to visit the park with bottles of water, fresh and light clothing, and some people will need mosquito repellent.
