Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
About This Museum
Believe it or not, this place was once a barren, overgrazed cattle field. Today, it's a thriving 30-hectare fragment of protected lowland rainforest, a testament to nature's incredible resilience. The center serves as a vital gateway for understanding the Panama Canal watershed, where you're just as likely to hear the haunting call of howler monkeys as you are the distant horn of a massive container ship. It’s a living laboratory where conservation and education happen simultaneously.
Collection Highlights
The main attraction is the breathtaking birdlife, especially at the 32-meter observation tower where you can watch keel-billed toucans and shimmering hummingbirds at eye level. Keep an eye out for sloths slowly moving through the canopy and the elusive blue morpho butterfly flitting through sunbeams.
Visitor Information
Get there early for the best wildlife activity, and don't skip the guided walk—the guides have an uncanny ability to spot creatures you'd completely miss on your own. It's located right in Gamboa, making it an easy and rewarding day trip from Panama City.
Architecture & Building
The buildings are intentionally simple and rustic, designed with a light environmental footprint using local materials like wood and bamboo to blend seamlessly into the forest canopy.
Contact & Location
Address: Puente Nuevo de Gamboa, Ancón, Distrito de Panamá, Provincia de Panamá, 0802, Panamá
Phone: +507 6588-0697
Website: Visit Website
