REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT ANCON HILL

People are drawn to Panama City for many reasons: oceanfront living, legendary nightlife and historical attractions, just to name a few. It may surprise you to find that there are just as many reasons why you should visit prominent Ancon Hill that keeps watch over the capital. Brimming with rainforest flora and fauna, this trail is a Zen-like escape from the nearby hectic metropolis. Ancon Hill, or Cerro Ancon, is situated in the old Canal Zone and is the highest point in town at 199m. I come here at least a couple times a month to get some fresh air, take in the views and, best of all, spot exotic animals like sloths, tamarin monkeys, toucans and poison dart frog.

STUNNING NATURE EPIC VIEWS AND A GREAT WORKOUT

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1. NATURE

SLOTHS, MONKEYS, TOUCANS AND FROGS

I am a nature lover. From animals and plants, to mountains and beaches, I love it all. Nature brings me peace and who doesn’t need that?  I usually set out around 8am to escape the intense heat of the day as well as to increase my chances of observing animals that tend to be more active early in the morning. I almost always see something: both two and three-toed sloths, Geoffroy’s tamarins, keel-billed toucans and poison dart frogs make their home here. Keep your eyes and ears open: you never know what you might spot.

Listen for these sounds and you might see your first tamarin or toucan at Cerro Ancon.

2. STUNNING VIEWS

PANAMA CITY AND THE CANAL ZONE

As you make your way to the summit of Ancon Hill, you’ll see many lookout points along the way, giving you breathtaking views of the Pacific, the Canal Zone and the Amador Causeway. At 653 feet above sea level, this vantage point has been used as a strategic lookout by the Spanish and pirates alike. Later, it would be home to Americans who oversaw operations of the canal for almost a century.

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3. IT’S A WORKOUT

GET YOUR STEPS IN

While I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s high impact, you’ll definitely be sweating by the time you reach the top. It is Panama City after all. Most people make it to the top in about thirty minutes or so, however, I tend to go at a slower pace looking for animals and enjoying my time spent outdoors.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Who? I’d recommend this walk to anyone in good health.
• When? Cerro Ancon is open to the public every day from 6am to 4pm, but you need to arrive before 3pm.
• How much? Ancon Hill is free, but you might want to bring a couple dollars for water or a popsicle afterwards.
• How to get there? I always grab an Uber to the Quarry Heights entrance. It’s a lovely walk through a beautiful neighborhood. Just stay to the left. If you have a car, you can use Waze to arrive at the APC or Mi Pueblito parking lots. From mi Pueblito, just head up the red stairs. From APC, you’ll need to walk to the Quarry Heights gate, which will be at the top of the hill above the parking lot on the righthand side

For more great workout ideas, visit my post:

5 OUTDOOR WORKOUTS TO TRY IN PANAMA CITY, PANAMA