Panama City has few green spaces within its urban limits, and Ancon Hill is one of the few that can be visited any day of the week. The Ancon Hill Nature and Historical Hike offers a guided tour to the highest viewpoint in Panama City. Most of the hill remains undeveloped and is now a protected reserve spanning 48.25 hectares of tropical humid rainforest.
The upper part of the hill, once accessible by car, can now only be reached by a 30 to 45-minute hike. Along the way, visitors may spot wildlife such as sloths, armadillos, Geoffroy's tamarin monkeys, iguanas, coatis, agoutis, deer, bats, and a wide variety of birds, including toucans. In total, the area is home to 68 animal species and 212 plant species.
Rising 199 meters above sea level, Ancon Hill is the highest point in Panama City. From the summit, visitors are treated to sweeping views of the city skyline, Casco Viejo, the port area, and the Panama Canal. At the base of the hill, there are historical structures, including the former Gorgas Hospital. Ancon Hill also houses the residence of the Panama Canal administrator—previously known as the governor of the Canal Zone—as well as the homes of high-ranking military officials in Quarry Heights, where the hike begins.
At the top, you'll find the largest flag in the country, measuring 15 by 10 meters—roughly the size of a basketball court. This flag has been flying continuously since 1977. The tour also covers the hill's historical significance. Ancon Hill was part of the former Canal Zone, a U.S.-controlled territory within Panama. In 1977, the Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed, and the hill was returned to Panama. The rest of the Canal Zone was gradually handed over, with full control of the canal achieved by Panama in 2000.
The history of Ancon Hill stretches back even further, to the founding of the first and second cities of Panama. Your guide will share stories of pirates and conquistadors, and the hill’s beauty has even inspired poets over the centuries. A guided walking tour of Ancon Hill is a wonderful way to learn about Panama's rich history while immersing yourself in its diverse flora and fauna.
