Ancon Hill is an included stop on many sightseeing tours of Panama City, but consider walking to the summit for a deeper dive into its trails, plants, and wildlife. Wear sturdy shoes for a 2.2-mile (3.5 kilometers) mostly-paved round-trip that takes many visitors about an hour. There are two separate viewpoints worth pausing for: one looks down on Casco Viejo, while the other opens towards the Panama Canal and Bridge of the Americas (Puente de las Américas).
There’s no admission fee to visit Ancon Hill.
Bathrooms are available at both viewpoints.
Temperatures can soar even in the shady jungle, so bring plenty of water.
The trailhead for Ancon Hill is located at Mi Pueblito, with free parking available onsite. It’s easy to catch a taxi or rideshare from Panama City to Mi Pueblito. To try public transit, ride the C862 bus stops that loops through downtown and get off at Mi Pueblito.
The path up Ancon Hill is open during daylight hours—starting at first light is ideal for photographing the city and canal below. Some tours of Ancon Hill begin before dawn to take advantage of cooler temperatures and morning light, then return to the city for a Panamanian breakfast.
There’s plenty of green space within Panama’s bustling capital. North of Ancon Hill is the 654-acre (265-hectare) Metropolitan National Park (Parque Nacional Metropolitano), a peaceful wildlife reserve within city limits with miles of hiking trails. Parque Omar is a local favorite located northeast of downtown, with a playground, bright murals, and paths for jogging and biking.