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Canopy Tower

  • Aerial view of Canopy Tower
  • Canopy Tower external view
  • Canopy tower bird watching
  • Canopy tower reception area
  • Canopy tower library
  • PAN_SoberaníaNationalPark_Canopy tower internal room
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One of Panama’s top birding venues, the Canopy Tower is perched on top of Semaphore Hill in the heart of Soberanía National Park.

This is also one of Central America’s most unusual places to stay. Situated at an altitude of 300m, the one-time US Air Force Cold War radar tower overlooks the rainforest canopy, the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal and the skyline of Panama City, just an hour away. Built in 1963, it finally became a lodge in 1999.

There are a dozen guest rooms arranged on the first and second floors of the circular construction, each clean and comfortable and some with private bathroom. There is also spacious dining area and well-stocked library. Our favourite feature is its excellent open air observation deck on the top floor, just above the canopy line; this is where guests convene in the early morning to enjoy the views and listen to the sounds of the forest as the new day dawns.

As well as the birding that is offered onsite from the observation deck, each day there are morning and afternoon excursions to some of central Panama’s premier birding locations.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • We enjoyed all locations which were very diverse and equally memorable. 

    IB, Chesterfield Apr 2017
  • Most Memorable Moment?: Too hard to choose one. Panama Canal Transit was a lifelong ambition.

    NA, London Mar 2017
  • Most memorable experience: “Tranquillo bay was a cut above everything else.   Staying on Waidup (near Isla Tigre) was also special.”

    MH, Chiswick Dec 2013
  • Top experiences in Panama - going through the canal and exploring Panama City and surrounding area. I was surprised to find that Panama is not just the Canal Zone!

  • Each part of my trip had a special moment. I loved both the new and old parts of Panama city, but my highlight there was seeing sloths while walking up…

    TF, Wakefield Jun 2018
  • We didn't realise the partial canal transit would be in such a big boat with loads of other tourists - not a problem, but would have been good for this…

    NF, Tunbridge Wells Apr 2013
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Our Expert's Opinion

Sallly
Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

  • Rosie profile
    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

    During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

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