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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

  • "Most memorable was watching mother and baby two-toed sloths from bedroom window at Canopy Tower. Early morning on the roof of Canopy Tower listening to howler monkeys as the sun…

    NW, Kidlington Jun 2013

  • "Bocas del Toro was great fun and frivolous and a great journey there by boat."

    GS, Bushey Jun 2013

  • 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

  • Most Memorable Moment?: Too hard to choose one. Panama Canal Transit was a lifelong ambition.

    NA, London Mar 2017

  • 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

  • Highlights: “Locks on the Panama canal and Panamax vessels up close.”

    MC, Fulham Nov 2012
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Our Expert's Opinion

Alex
Alex Walker - Travel Expert

A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

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Papagaio

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    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.

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