Soberanía National Park Birdwatching & Ancón Hill: Panama City Wildlife and Photography Guide
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What You’ll See at Soberanía National Park
Soberanía National Park is one of the best places for birdwatching in Panama. Just 30–40 minutes from Panama City, visitors can see sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, toucans, motmots, trogons, and hundreds of tropical bird species before returning to the city for lunch.
Soberanía National Park is home to more than 500 species of birds, making it one of the premier birdwatching destinations in Central America.
The next morning started before sunrise as I headed out on a birdwatching tour to Parque Nacional Soberanía, just northwest of Panama City. Soberanía National Park is famous among birders for its incredible diversity of wildlife. Even if you don’t know the difference between a toucan and a turkey (I occasionally have my moments), you’re almost guaranteed to see something memorable.
The trip absolutely lived up to the hype.
Now, I should point out that I am not a wildlife photographer. My everyday lens is a 24-200mm, which is fantastic for cityscapes, architecture, and travel photography. It is considerably less fantastic when the bird you’re trying to photograph is the size of a tennis ball sitting 150 feet up in the rainforest canopy.
Fortunately, that’s why I hired a guide.
He arrived with a spotting scope and, more importantly, the eyes of a superhero. We’d be slowly driving down one of the park’s dirt roads when he’d suddenly stop the truck.
“There’s an owl.”
Where?
“There.”
I still couldn’t see it.
Then he’d point to a tiny branch near the top of a massive tree. Sure enough… there sat an owl that I never would have found in a million years.
I was impressed.
He also carried recordings of bird calls on his phone. Every so often he’d play one, and within seconds birds would begin calling back from somewhere deep in the forest. It felt a little like wildlife magic.
Photography, however, was another story.
Looking through the spotting scope was incredible. Looking through my 200mm lens afterward usually resulted in a photograph of what could generously be described as “a bird-shaped speck.”
Photography Tip:
If you’re interested in wildlife photography, bring the longest lens you own. My 70–200mm worked beautifully around Panama City but left birds looking like tiny dots in the rainforest canopy.
My guide, on the other hand, was carrying a 500mm lens that looked like it required its own ZIP code.
After seeing the size of that thing, I happily accepted my role as the guy who photographs old churches, ruins, and skylines instead.
Over the course of four hours we saw sloths, crocodiles, monkeys, countless colorful birds, and more wildlife than I could possibly remember. Some photographs turned out well. Most didn’t.
And honestly?
I didn’t care.
Some experiences are better remembered than photographed.
Ancón Hill
Why Visit Ancón Hill?
- Best panoramic view of Panama City
- Easy taxi ride from downtown
- Great birdwatching
- Sloths and coatis
- Excellent sunrise and sunset photography
- Short hike
- Inspiration for my watercolor painting
By late morning my guide drove me back toward Panama City. Most people would probably return to their hotel for a nap after an early morning in the rainforest.
Apparently I am not most people.
Instead, we stopped at a restaurant he recommended near the base of Ancón Hill. After lunch, I thanked him for a fantastic morning and began the hike to the summit.
The climb is well worth the effort.
From the top, Panama City stretches out in every direction. Modern skyscrapers rise from the shoreline while the Pacific Ocean wraps around the city below. It offers one of the finest panoramic views in Panama and quickly became one of my favorite places to photograph during the trip.
Those photographs eventually inspired my first large watercolor painting of Panama City.
Original painting & fine art prints available HERE
A hungry coati wandered across the pathway near the top, doing it’s best to ignore me.
I finished the evening at yet another rooftop bar getting some amazing views of the downtown:
The day ended the same way many of my Panama evenings seemed to.
Another rooftop bar.
Another spectacular skyline.
Another camera full of photographs.
Birdwatching ended up being one of my favorite experiences in Panama. The photographs don’t really do it justice. Standing quietly in a tropical rainforest while birds call overhead and sloths lazily hang from the trees is something a camera simply can’t capture.
Whether I’m wandering through the jungles of Cambodia or exploring the forests surrounding Panama City, those moments stay with me long after the memory cards are full.
Day 1: Panama City & Casco Viejo
Day 2: Portobelo & Fort San Lorenzo, Highest Rooftop Bar Central America
Day 3: Birdwatching, Ancon Hill, Sunset Views
Day 4: Indigenous Village, Skyline Photographs
Day 5: Old Panama (ruins), Casco Viejo, Amador Water Views, Parque Metropolitano
Next: Indigenous Village, More Skyline Views
References
Hotels
AC Hotel by Marriott Panama City– Beautiful rooftop infinity pool overlooking city. Walking distance to beach
Sofitel Legend– located in charming colonial Casco Viejo neighborhood
JW Marriott– panorama rooftop views with 4 pools
W Panama– amazing views of downtown buildings
Coffee
You have to be blind to not be able to find coffee in Panama. There are shops all over the place- but not many Starbucks (thank God!). However, since I always go out very early- I usually pack some canned coffee purchased the day before at grocery/convenience store.
Tours
I booked several tours in Panama- one to an indigenous village NE of the city, and a half-day birding expedition (highly recommended).
Travel Guides
Lonely Planet Panama– While I use the internet for tons of research, I also enjoy carrying a real guidebook with me (JIC)
Travel Guide Panama City– focused solely on city and surrounding environs
Flights
I found a cheap flight on:
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Ryan Fox AWS, NWS, TWSA
Ryan Fox Painting
(919) 645-8345