Ancon Hill Walking Tour: Sloths, Wildlife & Panama City Views
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Some experiences change the way you see a city forever.
Just minutes from downtown Panama City, Ancon Hill rises like a hidden rainforest sanctuary above the skyline. Here, you’re not just hiking — you’re stepping into a protected natural reserve where two-toed and three-toed sloths, toucans, monkeys, and tropical birds thrive in the wild.
With our professional spotting scope, you won’t just hear about wildlife — you’ll observe it up close and capture unforgettable photos.
At the top (199 meters above sea level), you’ll visit three distinct scenic viewpoints, each revealing a different perspective: the modern skyline and Panama Bay, Casco Viejo and the Pacific entrance of the Canal, and the Panama Canal with the Bridge of the Americas.
We also offer strategically timed departures: early morning for optimal wildlife activity, and a later scenic-focused walk for guests who prefer a relaxed pace.
This is where rainforest meets skyline.
This is Panama beyond the postcards.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Panama City
We offer pick-up service from all hotels, apartments, Airbnbs, and hostels within Panama City. Our goal is to make your experience as smooth and convenient as possible from the very start. Please make sure to stay attentive to messages or calls from our team the day before your tour — your assigned guide will contact you directly to confirm the exact pick-up time and meeting point based on your location. Timely coordination ensures we stay on schedule and everyone enjoys a seamless experience. If you haven’t received a message by the evening before your tour, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help and ensure you’re ready for your adventure!
Our walk starts near the historic Administration Building, the heart of Canal operations and a symbol of Panama’s engineering and political history.
Options
PANAMA CITY PICK-UPS ONLY
Small-Group Shared Tour: Enjoy a social, interactive experience with fellow travelers while maintaining a personalized and guided eco-walk. Duration: 3 hours Meals are not included.: We recommend requesting a packed breakfast from your hotel the day before to enjoy at the summit. 9:00 am Scenic & Historical: A later start focused on rainforest scenery, city views, and the area’s historical significance. 6:30 am – Wildlife Prime Time: Recommended! Cooler early hours typically mean higher animal activity — ideal for maximizing wildlife sightings. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Professional, ATP-certified bilingual tour guide included
Complimentary bottled water and chips included
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included
Ancon Hill Nature Reserve entrance fee (Mi Ambiente) is included
Breakfast
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
96 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highlight!!
Charlotte M,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a short tour but turned out to be a highlight of our trip! Our tour guide Jorge was fantastic with interesting local history and spotting birds and animals. We were lucky enough to see 4 sloths, a toucan, parrots, numerous other birds, spiders and frogs. Also great views of the canal, old town and Panama city. Go early! HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Disappointing
rodney f,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Our guide was very pleasant and knew a lot of Panamanian history, but not natural history The walk is on a small asphalt road with trees on either side. We saw no sloths and the only wildlife was a few ants , several small frogs and a glimpse of 2 or 3 toucans high in the trees for less than a minute The view of the city from above was OK but not worth the climb It was very hot despite early morning but no water bottles supplied and our guide had no binoculars, which might have helped a little. Overall disappointing. The description implies that there will be some wildlife but ants and a spider weren’t quite the total viewing we were anticipating . Rather misleading, even recognizing that wildlife does not always appear on demand.
Jorge was very informative about the history of the hill. He also taught us a lot about the plants and animals
Kimberly D,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nice hike and very informative
Great hike- sloth heaven!
551arpanam,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rafa was great!! Thank you so much for such a great time. Can't believe what a treasure it is to go hiking 15 minutes from Panama city. Got a great history lesson but also got to appreciate nature. A lot of wildlife sighting including poisonous frogs, agouti, toucan, slots, parrots. The pickup was punctual and on time. 15 minute driving the air conditioned van. The hike itself was about 2-2.5 mi. Take tons of water. Thank you again
Panama city from the top
boomer640,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very goog tour, learn about history, guide is very good.
Value-added guide
Excursion33395653324,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Our guide Rafael was very friendly and knowledgeable. He was enthusiastic and attentive to us. He provided us with a wealth of information about the wildlife and flora of Ancon Hill and, as a bonus, about the history of Panama and its canal. The organization was perfect: punctuality, comfort of transport (we were the only clients, just my partner and I), binoculars provided, water, chips. Ancon Hill is worth the detour for the animals and plants. However, a guide is needed to appreciate this diversity beyond the litter that litters the ground. One does not feel in nature. The road taken is paved and shared with cars.
Experience with sloths...🤗🦥
P6242EOlaurag,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I loved the tours... Guide Jorge a professional and very friendly both he and the driver... 100% recommended .... Thank you very much for the experience 🤗🤗🦥🦥
Ancon Hill
L F,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.001. Follow the recommendations of the tour guide. (Rafa) 2. Prepare for an informative, interesting and satisfying experience. We were outfitted with binoculars to better see the numerous sloths, monkeys and birds (aguti sp?). We were offered water to make sure that we were hydrated. Our guide Rafa, was irreplaceable on this outing because, he knew, what to look out and to listen for during the tour. He was entertaining and engaging and also kept an eye on the safety of his tour participants (I am rather clumsy). He managed all of this very well! The vantage points and sights and sounds of the surrounding nature alone, are enough to suggest that you should visit. Going with this tour/guide, made it that much easier and better to preserve some great memories and enjoy a stroll (hike) up the beautiful Ancon Hill 🇵🇦!
A great experience
Tommy M,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a lovely morning on Ancón Hill with our excellent guide Rafa, who showed us around and explained things about the animals and plants as well as the history of Panamá. We did the tour starting at 6:30 and saw several two- and three-toed sloths, as well as monkeys, birds and other animals. I’m very happy that I booked this tour, because even if I might have been able to get to Ancón Hill on my own since it’s near the city centre, I would for sure not have been able to spot or identify so many animals myself. So, it was totally worth booking this tour, and I’m very glad that I managed to book in the last minute (I was supposed to do a tour with another tour operator the same morning, but they cancelled it the afternoon before, so I urgently needed to find something else to do). Very smooth booking procedure, punctual pick-up and a great tour with a friendly and professional guide!
Toucans, Sloths, Viewpoints and History on a Beautiful Morning Hike!
Fatin Z,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00One of the highlights of my trip to Panama City! I was traveling alone and booked this excursion for one. It turned out that I was the only person who signed up for the 6am hike. Most tour guides would have canceled on me, but Rafael was so kind! He did the tour for just me! And I'm so glad he did because it was an incredible experience. He picked me up directly from my hotel and brought me to the Ancon Hill area for the hike. He brought a high-powered telescope and provided me with a high-quality pair of binoculars. He was so much fun to talk to, and very knowledgeable both about Panama's history and its natural resources and animals. Rafael helped me find and identify dozens of different kinds of birds, including beautifully colored migratory birds, parrots, and TOUCANS!! He also helped me find dart frogs, monkeys, sloths and such. I took some amazing photos and Rafael patiently waited while I took all the shots I wanted. He also shared the photos that he took with me after the hike! He answered all of my questions and gave me lots of fun facts, like introducing me to the tree from which Panama gets its name, helping me to understand the history of the Canal Zone and its transition from US to Panamanian control, and explaining the student protest that began the process of transferring the control back to Panama. He was so delightful to talk to! The hike and the viewpoints were beautiful, and the early morning hike was great for cooler temps and more animal activity, and I still had the whole day in front of me when I was done. Thank you, Rafa, so such an amazing experience!
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Operated by CONOZCA PANAMA PRIMERO Tours & Transfers, S. A.