panama rainforest discovery center

We were on the Caravan Panama Tour. We had the opportunity to see the rainforest frogs in their own environment, as well as see a beautiful exhibit of orchids. We then went into the butterfly room. It was huge and there were hundreds of beautiful butterflies everywhere. It was a well planned display.

The orchids were so beautiful and our guide Alexis very informative. The butterfly enclosure was equally enjoyable and at the frog pond we saw two very tiny yet brilliant red frogs!

Bring a lunch, water and spend the day. Don't forget bug spray. You are bound to see some nice wildlife.

The Center's website says reservations are necessary for visits form Mon through Thurs, but we visited on Mon without a reservation.We were on a cruise and took a taxi from Colon. After negotiating with several taxi drivers, I found one who would take and bring back four of us for $100. It took about an hour to get to the Discovery Center. Riding on the one-way bridge over the river in Gamboa (where our cruise ship passed later) was very cool. The driver stopped by the Resort where a view of the lake was magnificentThe road from the entrance to the Visitor Center was very rough and the taxi driver, afraid to be stuck in the mud, refused to drive so we had to walk on the muddy road (about 2 km). We like to hike and it was not a problem, but we were with fellow passengers who were not equipped to walk or used to walking. One trail was also blocked with fallen trees and we had to climb them.Since we got there in the afternoon, we didn’t see any animals, but we did see colorful butterflies and armies of leafcutter ants and also heard howling monkeys when it started raining. Climbing the tower was interesting though we were hit by a squall while on top of the tower. (You definitely need a rain jacket.)We are outdoorsy and liked to go off the beaten path (we hate to go to places other cruise passengers go to) so we enjoyed it, but if you aren’t outdoorsy, you probably won’t enjoy it because all there is hiking (in rain and humidity) and nature. There was no other tourist so if you want to be immersed in nature, this is the place!

we picked a PAnama family vacation as it had convenient flights, decent hotels and restaurants and of course the famous Panama Canalbut who would imigned the incredible diversity of a rain forest-go and learn-good esperience

The trails were nice and the hummingbird feeders plentiful; The canopy setting was breathtaking and the bird calls numerous but for $30pp and not know what you are looking at or cant find who is calling, frustrating. So bring a guide! We saw monkeys as well - super fun. Check in is slow because credit card is old school and the road from Gamboa tot he parking lot is pretty bad so allow time and go slowly - we made it fine in a regular 4 door but slowly -- saw a sloth and toucan along the way too- would have missed it at normal speed! Oh, and the signs are a tad confusing....you have crossed the rickety bridge along the canal and continue straight - then you come to a fork/island in the road and the sign says 4.1 km with an arrow but it is not entirely clear if left or right --- keep left! then a couple km, turn right onto the crappy rd. - not sure there is a sign there - maybe a tiny one. worth the drive - and ask - people are super friendly!

Thanks for this reviewThe Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is managed by Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann, a nonprofit organization established to protect Panama birds and their hábitats.All profits go to conservation and environmental educational programs.We are looking for grants and donations for maintenance of the observation tower, visitor center and access road.I hope for your next visit, the maintenance is done.

We traveled here with our Birding Guide. Having someone who could tell us what we were seeing and hearing was definitely worthwhile. We climbed to the top of the 40 meter tower to view the Rainforest from treetop level. It is a stunning view. Hearing the Howler monkeys was spine tingling and that says nothing for all of the birds singing and flying by. CRACK-CO-RACK from the passing Red-lored Parrots is a very fond memory. After spending an hour or so atop the tower, we headed down a few of the trails and visited a large pond. We saw many birds including the large snail kite and the hummingbird size pygmy kingfisher. We also saw Howler monkeys and White-faced Capuchin in this area. Finally, we went to the hummingbird feeders. What an amazing sight as we watched them zipping in and out to the feeders. My best photos of the day were at this location. If you like nature, you will love this place.

We were staying in Gamboa with a birding group. Our guides took us many other beautiful places and we saw beautiful birds, but the group kept want to come back to this area. I am handicapped and need a cane to walk (for balance), but the trails here were easy to walk on. The 120 foot tower is a highlight where you are at the top of the canopy at the top of the tower. And there are several levels where you can stop and see differences of the environment of each. The hummingbird observation desk is also spectacular. Many different types of hummingbirds flying close to you. Great photography location. Other trails lead to lakes. Anyone would enjoy these facilities.For people who love birds, the adjacent Pipeline Road is thrilling. Some of the road is graded and easy to walk, but there are places where it just becomes mud holes. Any where along this road you can see tropical birds - large and small - including many that are difficult to see elsewhere.

St in the middle of the jungle, and 45 minutes away from Panama, this rainforest center was an amazing place to visit. walking to the top of the 40 meters tower to see the whole jungle was the best part of our day. We got to see schools of toucans flying and we heard the monkeys hauling in the distance. We saw animals, flowers, birds and we even got caught up in the rain.

was the perfect vacation, panama is very niece at that time of the year.side tips where very well planed.

To truly make Discovery Centre worthwhile you should be there by 6am. In fact the price drops from $30 down to $10 if you get there after 10am. It's about a 40 min ride from Panama City, just passed the town of Gambo on the Pipeline Road. The center offers about 2Km of very comfortable walking trails as well as a 100 ft lookout tower. The towere offers quite the experience, you get to see the topy of the forest canopy. It is surrounded by trees and when we were there howler monkeys would appear out of the foilage, kind of neat as you were eye to eye with them.You can comfortably do the all the trails in about 2 -2/12 hours. There is a very small kiosk at the enterance that sells some soveniers, kids t-shirts, birding books, some munchies but very limited.Overal it is worth the effort of getting up early and the taci fare there.

This was such a great place to visit. We went in the morning and saw (and heard) so many Howler Monkeys! Also saw an Agouti, a Coatimundi, a crocodile and Sloths. Plus so many birds, included a yellow beaked Toucan! The hummingbird area was full of hummingbirds flying in & drinking from the feeders. Then there is a tall tower to climb. This is fascinating, as you rise thru the different layers of the rainforest. It allows you to see how things change. And the view from the top is spectacular. There are several hiking trails. Definitely recommend this.

I highly recommend a visit here. This is a well maintained and exceptionally well operated facility which offers great birding and animal viewing opportunities.

Although the entrance fee is $30 per person for those who want to visit the Discovery Centre as early as 6 am. it is a delight to see so many hummingbirds at the feeders. There are also many trails to hike on. We took the trail down to the lake and enjoyed seeing many birds on the water and flying. My husband hiked up to the 100-foot observation tower to do some bird watching above the canopy of trees.