Panama is a land bridge between North and South America, and its wildlife reflects both. Remarkably, rich tropical rainforest lies within half an hour of Panama City, protected to safeguard the watershed of the Panama Canal. Pipeline Road, in Soberanía National Park, is one of the world’s most famous birding trails.
At a glance
| Best time | December to April (dry season) |
| Getting there | Fly to Panama City |
| Time needed | 5 to 10 days |
| Big draws | Birding, sloths, monkeys, the canal, whales |
| Good for | Birders, families, short trips from Panama City |
Soberanía National Park and Pipeline Road
- Pipeline Road (Camino del Oleoducto) follows an old pipeline route through the forest. Birders have recorded hundreds of species along it in a single day during Audubon Christmas Bird Counts.
- Look for toucans, trogons, motmots, antbirds, manakins and, with luck, harpy eagles. See our harpy eagle profile.
- Mammals: two- and three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, Geoffroy’s tamarins, white-faced capuchins, coatis and agoutis. See our brown-throated sloth profile.
- Canopy towers: a converted radar tower now houses a lodge with a rooftop platform above the forest.
The Panama Canal
- Boat trips on Gatún Lake, part of the canal, pass islands with monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and birds.
- Barro Colorado Island, run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, is one of the most studied tropical forests in the world; guided visits can be booked.
- The Miraflores Locks visitor centre shows ships transiting the canal.
Other regions
- Bocas del Toro: islands on the Caribbean coast, with red frogs, sloths, dolphins, coral reefs and turtle nesting.
- Pearl Islands and the Gulf of Chiriquí: humpback whales from about July to October, when whales from the Southern Hemisphere visit. See our humpback whale profile.
- Chiriquí highlands: cloud forest with resplendent quetzals around Boquete. See our resplendent quetzal profile.
- The Darién: a vast wilderness on the Colombian border, with harpy eagles and remote Emberá communities. Parts of it are unsafe; travel only with experienced operators and check current advice.
When to go
- December to April: the dry season; best for birding and travel.
- May to November: rainy season, with lush forest; whale season on the Pacific from about July to October.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pipeline Road good for beginners? Yes. The road is flat and easy, and a local guide helps you find birds.
Can I see sloths near Panama City? Yes. Sloths are often seen in Soberanía, at the Metropolitan Natural Park in the city and on Gatún Lake.
When can I see whales in Panama? From about July to October on the Pacific coast.
Is the Darién safe to visit? Parts of the Darién are dangerous. Only visit with specialist operators and after checking government advice.
Related guides
- Costa Rica wildlife guide
- Where to see sloths
- Birding in Colombia
- Animal profiles: Brown-throated sloth, Harpy eagle, Toco toucan
Cover photo: Geoff Gallice from Gainesville, FL, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons