Activities Without Birds

Non-birders -- partners of ardent birdwatchers and others who come to Canopy Tower -- may be concerned that they will be trapped atop a forlorn, distant tower in the company of ardent bird watchers. This is not unknown at many world-class bird-watching destinations, but Canopy Tower is different. The bright lights of Panama City, one of Central America's greatest urban centers, can be seen on the horizon at night.

During the day, non-birders find plenty of things to do, from sitting serenely high above the canopy watching the endless panoply of Nature and ships on the Canal, to daily tours to visit nearby attractions and destinations of historical, human, and natural interest. Here is a list of favorite activities that can easily be arranged; we request the favor of at least three business days advance notice.

We would be remiss were we not to admit that birds will most likely be seen on many of these excursions. Other wildlife, too. Each trip starts out and ends with a ride through Soberanía National Park, and many of these destinations are surrounded by natural beauty

1.

Visit the Panama Canal Visitor Center in Miraflores Locks

There are four exhibition halls which include historic artifacts used in the construction of the Canal, interactive modules, video presentations, models of the Panama Canal, and objects used in Canal operations.

$10 entrance fee

2.

Panama City Tour

On this full- or half-day excursion top one of the America's pivotal cities, you will see the ruins of Old Panama, destroyed by the famous English pirate, Sir Henry Morgan. A visit to Colonial Panama and the Interoceanic Museum explains the role Panama has played in interoceanic commerce, beginning with the Spanish conquest, the Panama Railroad and the Panama Canal.

3.

Visit the Canal Museum

The Museum has artifacts from the French period and the American effort which finally succeeded. It has good audio visual presentations. The setting is a lovely building which was the original headquarters of De Lesseps' company in Panama's Plaza de la Catedral.

4.

Colonial Panama

This area of the city has been declared a World Heritage Site, wonderful architecture of the Spanish period with strong French influence of the late 1800s.

This can be combined with a visit to the Canal Administration Building to see the murals depicting the construction of the Canal by William B. Van Ingen of New York, "an outstanding artist who had achieved considerable fame for his murals in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.

5.

Visit Barro Colorado Nature Monument

This island in Gatun Lake, the huge body of water at the center of the Panama Canal, is administered by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Barro Colorado, the largest forested island in the Panama Canal waterway, is part of the Barro Colorado Nature Monument (BCNM) and is the site of an internationally recognized biological research station. Full day.

A one hour boat ride departs from Gamboa and navigates a section of the Panama Canal http://www.stri.org

6.

Visit the Smithsonian Marine Exhibit in Naos

This open-air museum at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, offers exhibits on marine science and education, conservation and interpretation of marine coastal environments. Half day.

To get there you'll drive by the site of the museum which Frank Gehry has designed for the Panamanian government. (How did we pull this one, his wife is Panamanian!)

7.

Visit the Canopy Adventure in el Valle

This is a brilliant full day trip across the Canal and into the Panamanian hinterlands. Here you can bird watch (of course), shop, fly through the air at Canopy Adventure, and enjoy one of Panama's favorite vacation destinations. You may wonder, why not stay a few days? For lots more information, see the websites for our sister destinations, Canopy Lodge and Canopy Adventure.

8.

Visit a settlement of Embera Drua indians

This full day excursion takes you to visit an indigenous settlement at the headwaters of the Chagres River.

9.

Half day visit to Mi Pueblito

It’s a replica of a colonial town in the country side.

It consist of: Pueblito Afro-Antillano - honoring to the black workers who came to work on the construction of the Panama Canal and later stayed in the isthmus bringing their customs and culture. Pueblito Indigena - shows the way of living of our Indians groups like: Kunas, Emberas and Guaymies.

10.

Visit the Nature Exhibits at Gamboa

Half day excursion for orchids and butterfly exhibits. Five exhibits at a nearby resort hotel showcase local flora and fauna as well as a replica of an Embera Indian village.

Exhibits:

• Orchid & plant nurseries
• Serpentarium
• Butterfly house
• Fresh water fish & reptiles ecology exhibit
• Model Embera Village

11.

Shopping in Panama City

Panama City, literally the crossroads of the world, is rightfully renowned for its shopping: Enjoy browsing for French perfumes, Oriental table cloths, Italian jewelry, Chinese art, and thousands of goods from all over the world at duty-free prices.