good for you

The day begins very early in the Panamanian rainforest. Just before dawn you will be awakened from your tree-house retreat the cacophonous sounds of motmots, toucans, and fruit crows going about their business in the jungle. Sleepy-eyed, but exhilarated, you will not resent this early natural alarm clock, as this is the best time to watch the staggering diversity of wildlife that can be found in the beautiful Soberanía National Park.

Canopy Tower is today a long way from its origins as a US military facility. This unique architectural structure has been transformed from an observational tower into one of the top 25 ecolodges in the world. The Ecolodge towers above the forest and your bedroom is at treetop level, no more than 40 feet from the birds.

After a hearty breakfast of lip-smacking pancakes, eggs, bacon in the dining room, you can watch the ships glides through the Panama Canal before taking a guided nature walk along the surrounding trails with your bi-lingual guide.

Some people consider hammocks and siesta as two of the most important contributions of Latin America to western civilization, so after your early rise and walks you will be pleased for a nap before the afternoon and evening activities begin.

After dinner an exhilarating night ride in the specially modified 'rainfomobile' or 'birdmobile' observation vehicles searching for night 'critters' or star gazing from the deck where it is possible to clearly see the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn.

Around you the endless tropical forest, punctuated by the hoots and calls of Howler monkeys, tamarins and birds, may leave you with that Tarzan and Jane feeling.

good for panama

Canopy Tower hires local people and uses local guides on its tours helping to support the local community. It is actively involved in different conservation projects such as the Harpy Eagle Exhibit (Panama's national bird) and ANCON dedicated to conservation efforts throughout the republic.

In addition, the AVIFAUNA foundation is creating a new visitor's center located inside the Soberania National Park with the purpose of educating people in the community and tourists about conservation and habitat protection.

More than 50% of electric power in Panama comes from thermoelectric plants burning tons of oil and producing tons of pollution. In planning the Canopy Tower's conversion, environmental decisions such as not to use air-conditioning were made. The radar originally installed in the tower consumed as much electricity as 60 families.

The property also has water and waste recycling programs and makes a conscious effort to educate guests about water and energy conservation.

Rooms

Food

The lodge serves wholesome buffet style meals at set times in the dining room.

A hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, ham, cheese, cereals, yogurts, fresh fruits, bread, coffee, tea and fresh orange juice is available at 7.30 am every morning.

With notice, an 'express breakfast' can be arranged from 5 am for guests going out on tours.

Dinners consist of a variety of buffet selections using local produce.

Vegetarians are well catered for with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lots of salads, plenty of nuts, and several veggie dishes made with tofu, soy products and other ingredients.

The kitchen closes at 8 pm so the kitchen staff can go to bed to be able to wake up very early next day and serve breakfast. If you intend to arrive after this hour you might be best off stopping in one of the many cafes or restaurants in Panama City.

Features & Facilities

• A unique 12 room historic lodge-style accommodation converted from an original US military facility.
• Surrounded by national park with spectacular views over the Panama rainforest just 30 minutes from Panama City.
• Large observation deck for uninterrupted views of the rainforest canopy. The Canopy Tower is also a great place for exploring the tropical forest. Giant, iridescent Morpho Butterflies flash their blue wings at you as you ride up the twisting road up to the Tower. Each shrub, tree and flower seems to be different from the last, reflecting the extraordinary diversity of the region.
• Ideal for groups or couples. Children under 14 not permitted.
• Internet and phone access is available at a small charge.
• There are no TV sets at the lodge.
• An extensive library of natural history books.
• Guided tours with local naturalists can be arranged.
• Canopy Tower is a sister hotel of Canopy Lodge, another Ecolodge situated in the El Valle de Antón, also known as Crater Valley, about 57 miles outside of Panama city. Birding Packages are available that incorporate bird and other wildlife tours and stays at each lodge.

Local Info & Activities

Canopy Lodge is a sister hotel of Canopy Lodge, another Ecolodge situated in the El Valle de Antón, also known as Crater Valley, about 57 miles outside of Panama city. Highly recommended birding packages are available that incorporate bird and other wildlife tours and stays at each lodge.

Pipeline Road: This is the best place in Central Panama to find forest birds, and plenty of them. If this 17 km is not enough, there are plenty of side trails and eleven creeks and rivers that can be followed into the forest.

Achiote Road and San Lorenzo: A two-hour drive north of Canopy Tower, this is the site of the famous Atlantic Christmas Bird Count held annually by the Panama Audubon Society. The number of species in this area consistently exceeds 340 in a 24-hour period, making it close to the number one bird watching spot in the world. Don't miss the World Heritage-listed old Spanish fortress of San Lorenzo.

El Valle de Antón: A two-hour drive west of Canopy Tower, El Valle is a picturesque little town located 3,000 feet above sea level in the crater of a gigantic extinct volcano. It is the largest inhabited volcano in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the World. The elusive Ground Cuckoo which has been seen occasionally in this area. Just to get a glimpse of this almost mythical bird is worth the trip to El Valle.

National parks: Panama has some of the most easily accessed forests anywhere in the tropics.

Soberanía National Park: The ideal base from which to start exploring the forests of central Panama, as well as the Canal and other historical attractions.

Metropolitan Natural Park: Located right next to Panama City, only 25 minutes from the Canopy Tower, the forests of the Metropolitan Natural Park are much drier than those around Pipeline or Plantation Roads. The lookout is one of the best places to view migrating birds.

Self-guided Botanical Tour: Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have identified and marked 46 species of trees around Canopy Tower. Many of these trees have medicinal value, and most produce food for birds and mammals. A booklet produced by the property will help you identify the rich flora of the area.

El Charco Trail: The river is dammed at the entrance of this trail to form a pond with a gorgeous waterfall where you can swim or take a rest after an exhausting day of stalking birds.

Summit Gardens: Summit Gardens is a park managed by the Office of the Mayor of Panama City. There is a small zoo where you can get a better look at King Vulture, Harpy Eagle, Great Curassow and four species of macaws, as well as Jaguar, Spider Monkeys, and a host of other mammals without your binoculars.

Canopy Adventure: This thrilling cable ride among the canopy of the rain forest is guaranteed to give you enough adrenaline to last at least 24 hours. You might also want to bring a bathing suit because there is a wonderful swimming hole here.

Panama City: With its museums, fine restaurants and shops, the city is only 30 minutes away.

Sustainability

Canopy Tower does what it can to make its efforts sustainable and to protect the environment.

It has installed facilities to minimize its use of resources, especially waste. Bathroom sinks have a time-release mechanism to reduce wasted water; toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush, compared to the typical 5 gallons; most of the light-bulbs are energy saving; and every effort is made to educate guests about water and energy conservation.

Food and supplies are bought in bulk to reduce packaging materials, especially plastic, and linens and towels are not changed daily, except by request.

The lodge does not use air conditioning and recycles grey water and organic waste on the gardens. Refrigerators and freezers are run on ozone-friendly gas.

All the wood in the bedrooms comes from sustainably managed teak plantations.

The lodge arranged a seminar on bird watching to the local Embera Indian community to help them develop their own tourism potential and understand the conservation objectives of the lodge. It contributes to different conservation projects such as the Harpy Eagle Exhibit which is Panama's national bird.

The President of Canopy Tower is an active member of an organization called ANCON dedicated to conservation efforts throughout the republic.

awards

Nominee, Panama's Leading Eco Resort, World Travel Award 2007

Getting There

Canopy Tower is a 30-45 minute drive from Panama City; one hour from Tocumen International Airport and about 15 minutes from the local airport at Albrook Field.

The lodge is about one mile from the main offices of Soberanía National Park.

The national park can also be reached by bus from Panama City, but you will have a mile to walk uphill to reach the Canopy Tower.

Transfers from the airport are not usually included in the room rate, however the property will sometimes offer courtesy transfers depending on the length of stay and size of the group.

insider tips

The dry (peak) season runs from December to April; low (wet) season runs from May to September and the migration season is in October and November.

The best time for your visit depends on your interests, as there's always something interesting going on in the forest.

The temperature can become cool at all times of the year so warm clothing is a must and because it is a rainforest you should always be prepared for wet weather.

Yellow fever and malaria are not found in these areas so vaccinations or medications are not required.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

• Valid from Sep 06 – Oct 07
• All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

discounts!

Last minute discounts of up to 10% are sometimes available, please enquire!

Bookings at Canopy Towers are for a minimum of 2 nights but they recommend longer stays. Below are their rates for 3+ nights. Per night rates are available on request – please fill in the enquiry form.

prices for 3 nights / 4 days

High Season* (Dec 15 – April 15) – US$853

Green Season (April 16 – Sept 15) – US$544

Migrating Season** (Sep 16 – Dec 14) – US$664

*During the holiday season (Dec 23-Jan 1) add $100

**During the peak fall migration of raptors (Oct 15-Nov 10) add $100

Upgrade to suites add $125

Single Rooms sharing bath deduct $75

included:

• Entrance fee to Soberanía National Park
• All meals and soft drinks
• A complimentary guided forest tour
• Prices are per person sharing.

excluded:

• Additional tours
• Tips
• 5% tax
• Alcoholic beverages
• Laundry

prices for 7 nights / 8 days

High Season* (Dec 15 – April 15) – US$1,920

Green Season (April 16 – Sept 15) – US$1,199

Migrating Season** (Sep 16 – Dec 14) – US$1,480

*During the holiday season (Dec 23-Jan 1) add $200

**During the peak fall migration of raptors (Oct 15-Nov 10) add $200

Upgrade to suites add $200

Single Rooms sharing bath deduct $100

Upgrade to suites add $125

Single Rooms sharing bath deduct $75

included:

• Entrance fee to Soberanía National Park
• All meals and soft drinks
• A complimentary guided forest tour
• Prices are per person sharing.

excluded:

• Additional tours
• Tips
• 5% tax
• Alcoholic beverages
• Laundry

birding packes with canopy lodge

Canopy Lodge is a sister company of Canopy Tower located at El Valle de Antón, also known as Crater Valley, about 57 miles outside of Panama city and two hours from Canopy Tower. The elusive Ground Cuckoo which has been seen in this area.

14 night combined canopy tower / canopy lodge birding packages

High Season* (Dec 15 – April 15) – US$2,995

Green Season (April 16 – Sept 15) – US$1,953

Migrating Season** (Sep 16 – Dec 14) – US$2,498

*During the holiday season (Dec 23-Jan 1) add $250

**During the peak fall migration of raptors (Oct 15-Nov 10) add $250

Upgrade to suites add $300

Single Rooms sharing bath deduct $150

11 night combined canopy tower / canopy lodge birding packages

High Season* (Dec 15 – April 15) – US$2,584

Green Season (April 16 – Sept 15) – US$1,703

Migrating Season** (Sep 16 – Dec 14) – US$2,164

*During the holiday season (Dec 23-Jan 1) add $200

**During the peak fall migration of raptors (Oct 15-Nov 10) add $200

Upgrade to suites add $250

Single Rooms sharing bath deduct $125

7 night combined canopy tower / canopy lodge birding packages

High Season* (Dec 15 – April 15) – US$1,920

Green Season (April 16 – Sept 15) – US$1,199

Migrating Season** (Sep 16 – Dec 14) – US$1,480

*During the holiday season (Dec 23-Jan 1) add $200

**During the peak fall migration of raptors (Oct 15-Nov 10) add $200

Upgrade to suites add $200

Single Rooms sharing bath deduct $100

birding packages include:

Bilingual birding guides, tours to local birding sites including Pipeline Rd, Summit and Gamboa ponds, plantation trail, Old North & South Gamboa Rd and Chagres river. A night tour in the Rainfomobile or the Birdmobile (owling), and Semaphore Hill.

• All meals & soft drinks, wine with dinner.
• Airport Transfers
• Rates are per person sharing.

CHECK-IN: The latest hour for check-in is 9:30 pm. The national park gates will be locked at that time so be sure to make alternative arrangements if your flight is delayed or you may incur additional costs.

booking & cancellation policies

bookings

• Bookings are only accepted for stays of 2 nights are more.
• For bookings of 7 days or less, 10% of the total cost of the booking + US$300 is required to secure the reservation.
• For bookings for more than 7 days, 10% of the total cost of the booking + US$600 is required to secure the reservation.
• For bookings of between 2 and 7 nights, the cost of one nights accommodation + 10% of the total cost of the booking is required to secure the booking
• The balance is due 30 days in advance of your arrival date except in the high season when it is due 60 days before your date of arrival.

cancellations

• If a cancellation is received between 30 and 15 days from arrival (or between 60 and 30 days in the high season) date, 40% of the total cost of booking is refunded.
• If a cancellation is received less that 15 days from arrival (or less than 30 days in the high season), the entire payment is forfeited.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.