Going to see the rainforest used to imply getting expensive navigation equipment, hiring tour guides, and allocating extended time for seeing what was worth. But what happens when the rainforest is just about 10 minutes from your place of staying?
Can it be convenient to see? the Parque Natural Metropolitano in Panama City, is probably the only rainforest in the world that is located within city limits.
With an extension of about 232 hectares, it contains several trails, and a road that allow observation of hundreds if not thousands of animal and plant species.
Among the trails and must stop and see locations:
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Los Trinos: great location for bird watching
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Cedar Hill point 66: about 140 meters (460 feet) above sea level.
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Cedar Hill: the highest point. Located at 150 meters (492 feet) above sea level.
There are defined trails at the metropolitan natural park in Panama: The Mono Titi Trail, and La Cienaguita trail: a moderate trail, with about 1 km length, and it will take about 1 hr to complete.
This is the one you want to try if you would like to see the beautiful examples and contrasts of nature and civilization. At the top of the hill , you can see The Islands of the Pacific Ocean, Naos, Flamenco, Perico, Taboguilla and Taboga, the panama canal Pacific entrance, the America's bridge (ferry thatcher bridge) and Ancon hill.
There are other easier options, for those just wanting to get a feel of nature.
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Los Caobos trail: a moderate trail, with about 1 km length. will take about 1 hr to complete.
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Los Momotides: an easy trail with about 1 km length. will take about 45 min to complete.
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El Roble: an easy trail, with about .7 km length. will take about half an hour min to complete [Photos and galleries coming soon..]
- a short easy Walk : Momotides
- a more challenging hike: Caobos o Cienaguita
- Avoiding Crowds: Caobos
- Bird Watching: Camino del Mono Titi (by el Castillo)
- a view: Cedro Hill on the Camino del mono titi
- Jogging: camino del mono Titi
- the best time for wildlife and bird viewing is early and late in the day
One of the examples that Panamatravel.com was able to get a hold of,was the DIFFEMBACCHIA CAMILA , a beautiful plant right? is one of themost powerful poisons in the world. It is so poisonous that the Amazonriver indians use it to poison their darts.
The poison is more concentrated toward the stem of the plant, and it can give you temporary blindness, burn your mouth. The poison contains oxalato de calcio (calcium oxalate) and l -asparagine. But don't be scared! this plant has been living in Panama Homes for the longest time. Fortunately, no incidents have been registered with it. My guess will be that the plant is left alone and not messed with once it has grown.
We found this odd looking tree, that was infested with termites. There are plenty of other wonders in the park. please visit the pictures and video section
For a tour, please contact