Reading that Ancon Hill in Panama City would provide me easy access to a rainforest hike, and not having time to travel to the more remote rainforest areas of Panama, I decided to give it a go. Loving wildlife, I didn’t want to miss out on the chance of spotting monkeys, sloths, and toucans. And I didn’t! On the way up the hill, I suddenly registered some movements in the trees up above me, and sure enough, after waiting for a while, three monkeys appeared on the branches. The toucan I spotted on my way down – first time ever seeing one – ecstatic! No sloths though 🙁 , but I don’t think holding a baby one in the Amazon Rainforest will ever be topped 😀 Also came across agoutis here and there. They definitely don’t seem to be to shy in regards to people. Even though the hike turned out to be longer than I thought it was going to be, and the fact that at the top of the hill there wasn’t much happening, besides a huge Panamanian flag fluttering in the breeze, and superb views of the city below – of the business district, the old town, and the Panama Canal, I definitely didn’t regret going. Considering Ancon Hill doesn’t look very high from a distance, the views impressed me.
In regards to getting there, don’t try walking up from the metro stop Cinco de Mayo, like I didn’t. Save yourself the trouble 🙂 Not finding my way through the neighbourhood at the foot of the hill, I ended up flagging down a taxi – a driver who was taking his wife to somewhere, and said he’d drop her off first, before taking me to the start of the trail, then re-decided, and dropped me off first, at a security gate, where I needed to walk up a couple of staircases before stepping onto the trail. Going back down I decided to take the other route, going straight at the security gate, instead of turning left down the staircases. Turned out to be a lot longer alternative, about twice as a long. In total I ended up encircling the hill – a good thing I hadn’t anything else planned that day 🙂
I remember LOVING Panama when I was there 20 years ago. Amazing you got to see so much wildlife – it’s a beautiful country! Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
Wonder what it was like 20 years ago 🙂 I had a great time. Could have stayed longer than a week, exploring more of the country than I did.