Soberania National Park
Soberania National Park
4.5
About
Located 15 miles from downtown Panama City, this scenic park features two hiking paths called el Charco in Gamboa and Pipeline Road, both known for excellent birding and wildlife viewing.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Best nearby
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Attractions
4 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
409 reviews
Excellent
236
Very good
111
Average
49
Poor
9
Terrible
4
Rochelle F
Randolph, NJ973 contributions
Jan. 2023
We came here with a birding guide early in the morning and saw lots of birds. The park is not Gamboa rainforest resort although that is nearby; it is a large national park with many areas. Saw peccaries, coatis, agouti too. Saw a pootoo which is extemely hard to see. Was really a beautiful hike on the pipeline trail also, although as the morning wore on, the birds start to sleep.
Written March 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OffroaderRsa
RSA19 contributions
Oct. 2022
Nice exhibits, accessible mostly from good maintained paths. Places to just sit and listen to the birds and look at the surrounding nature where you may see a sloth if you are lucky.
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan
Nottingham, UK38 contributions
Mar. 2023
Path shared with cyclists, but nevertheless beautiful peaceful area.
Saw cappucin monkey, howlers and many beautiful birds
Saw cappucin monkey, howlers and many beautiful birds
Written March 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken Q
Denver, United States851 contributions
Feb. 2023
We enjoyed seeing the park on one of our tours out of Panama City. It's a fun area to explore and walk around.
Written February 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
linda e
New York City, NY124 contributions
Jan. 2023
The Gamboa Resort offers a variety of activities at affordable prices, including: ziplines, Monkey Island boat tour, a butterfly and sloth sanctuary and an aerial tram with a tower that offers a great view of the canal and the Chagres River.
Written January 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Riso M
39 contributions
Jan. 2023
We saw some birds, capybaras (or similar) and monkeys, which was awsome. Plus - and that is what makes it worth visiting - you get a real feeling of what the jungle looks like in Central America. And it was amazing to see it (We ended up in Radio Hill, which stunning.). Recommend
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
orrdin
New York883 contributions
Dec. 2022 • Family
Maybe we had a bad day but we got up bright and early to get here early for all the wildlife and while we did see a sloth and a few monkeys and a few birds most were far up in the trees so it was hard to see. We definitely heard a lot but felt like we should be seeing more after reading all the reviews. Guess it’s hit or miss in nature and for us it wasn’t a great day out though we still enjoyed being in nature.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SFvegetarian
Vallejo, CA78 contributions
Nov. 2022
Loved seeing the sloth and mariposa sanctuaries, the leaf cutter ants marching, and the monkeys and toucans playing.
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Panthera2013
London, UK99 contributions
Sep. 2022
We stayed at the Canopy Tower and visited the Soberania National Park every day especially to look for birds. It was absolutely stunning. The Discovery centre here is also a good place to visit. The paths and trails to walk/hike on are well sign posted. It is hot and humid like everywhere else in Panama so dress accordingly and carry water.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN3,188 contributions
Oct. 2021
I visited the portion of Soberania National Park that includes the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center and Pipeline Road. It is about a 30-40 min taxi/Uber from Panama City. The Discovery Center has several trails to hike along with a tower that you can climb that takes you to above the canopy of the jungle and a hummingbird exhibit. Hearing the howler monkeys in the early morning was cool. Ran into a troupe of capuchin monkeys which made the effort and cost of coming out here all worth it but I was a bit disappointed that we didn't see more wildlife. It may have been better had I hired a guide. Pipeline Road in the unpaved road that connects the Discovery center to the main road. It is regarded as one of the premier bird watching areas in Central America. However, you really need to spend the money and hire a guide and come here in the early morning hours to fully experience. Unless you drive yourself, make sure you arrange for your driver to stay so that they can drive you back to the city. There is no cell service or taxis available here. Better yet, invite your driver to join you on the hike as "guides" get in free at the Discovery Center. Also, the 2-mile unpaved Pipeline road that leads to the Discovery Center is an incredibly narrow treacherous drive filled with rocks, potholes and tree branches. I was certain my driver's compact car was going to end up with a flat tire or broken axle. You really should have a SUV with high clearance if driving here.
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travis
1 contribution
I am planning on hiking a couple days in Soberania NP. I understand that camping is allowed. Are there designated campsites or is dispersed camping legal? Can one camp off Pipeline Road (obviously half a mile in or so)? Are there many water features to filter water from?
Thanks in advance for any responses!
Ries P
Panama City, Panama19 contributions
I don't have information on that. Please check the Soberania NP website. Hope you can find an answer there.
Should I be worried about mosquitos and yellow fever walking into that park?
Frank C
Panama63 contributions
Not anymore than in other places in Panama. I have never had to use a mosquito repellent while going there, but I usually use long pants and long sleeve shirts, since you're walking in a tropical forest the insects besides mosquitos may be attracted to you...hahaha
Servo_11
Little Rock, AR8 contributions
Is the Park open on holidays? Specifically asking about Easter Sunday (1 April 2018)?
heatherquick
Chicago, IL100 contributions
Sorry I don't know the answer to that.
Chelsea
Toronto, Canada37 contributions
Do I need a car to get to soberania national park from Gamboa Rainforest resort?
AtlanticTyger
Columbus, OH1,014 contributions
Yes
Kristen O
Raleigh, NC3 contributions
Busco un guía para el 24 de Julio. Estamos en buena forma y quisiéramos ver tantos animales como los monos y perezosos. No tenemos interés en ver solo pájaros. Avísanos con quien podemos contactar.
Is there any accommodations at the ranger stations? What are good budget accommodation options in the area. We will have a car and would prefer to be away from the very touristy areas. We don't mind difficult hikes or 'rustic' accommodations. Thank you!
nishiyer
Washington DC, DC87 contributions
I am staying at the Hilton ,what is the most cost effective way to get there ?Also is the discovery center worth the money and deos it include the canopy too.
Thanks !
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Claim your listingSOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Soberania National Park
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Soberania National Park:
- Soberanía National Park and Camino de Cruces Hiking Tour (From C$253.60)
- Birding Pipeline Road from Panama City and Gamboa Town (From C$351.51)
- Soberania National Park Hike (From C$164.50)
- Full-Day Gatun Lake and Indian Village Tour from Panama City (From C$202.10)
- Soberania National Park Day Trip from Panama City (From C$226.19)
- Hotels near Soberania National Park:
- (1.21 km) Canopy Tower
- (3.92 km) Summit Rainforest & Golf Resort
- (12.94 km) Coconut Lodge
- (7.42 km) Monkey Lodge Panama
- (13.90 km) Casa Anita
- Restaurants near Soberania National Park:
- (13.72 km) Maagoo’s Fish Tacos
- (5.88 km) Restaurante Los Lagartos
- (12.34 km) Paddy Mick's
- (15.35 km) Grill Meister
- (12.30 km) La Taberna del Canal