FAQs about Panama's Canopy Tower : FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It takes only about 30-45 minutes to drive to the Canopy Tower from Panama City; one hour from Tocumen International Airport and about 15 minutes from the local airport at Albrook Field. Take the Gaillard Highway towards Miraflores Locks; pass the entrance to the locks and continue until you pass Pedro Miguel Locks and the town of Paraíso. Keep going until you go underneath a railroad bridge, the only underpass in this road. Immediately after the bridge, turn left. To the right you will see the main offices of Soberanía National Park. Continue on for about one mile. After passing the entrance to Summit Gardens (on your right) take the second road to the right. You will see the Canopy Tower sign, so relax, there is no way to get lost. You are now on Semaphore Hill Road. The Canopy Tower is on top of Semaphore Hill at the end of the road. Stay on the road for exactly one mile and you'll get there. Please drive carefully because this road has more curves than the Girl from Ipanema!!

If you are in a tight budget and don't mind taking a bus, go to the SACA Bus Terminal in Plaza 5 de Mayo in Panama City. Please note that this is not the main bus terminal but a much smaller one. Take the bus to Gamboa and ask the driver to please drop you at the entrance to the Canopy Tower. He'll know where it is. Then, you have a mile to walk uphill to reach the Canopy Tower. This is Semaphore Hill, a great birding area, so you can start your birding right there and then.

Is transportation from the Int'l airport or Panama City included in the room rate?

The room rate does not include transportation. However, we sometimes offer courtesy transfers depending on the number of days of your stay and the size of the group. On the other hand, all our birding packages do include transfers from/to the International Airport or Panama City.

What is the best time of the year to visit the Tower?

The best time for your visit depends on your interests, as there's always something interesting going on in the forest.

For example, if you visit us from early December to mid-January you will see the forest still lush and green as the rainy season has just ended. Some northern migrants are present as well as the resident species. The days are sunny and balmy. January, February and March is our "high season", there is a lot of sun and practically no rain (bring sun block), the birding is continuous from sunrise to sunset and, occasionally, into the evenings to look for owls and pottoos.

In mid-March to early May you'll find yourself in the middle of spring migration, a great time to see many different warblers and other neotropical migratory birds in fresh breeding plumage, as well as hundreds of thousands of raptors on their way north.

In May and June it is the start of the rainy season, and many resident birds will be starting to nest and vocalize more often. From June to August you will see the forest at its lushest, there is plenty of food out there and you will see immature birds being fed by their parents. There is usually a tropical shower in the early afternoon, "siesta" time anyway. After the shower the sun comes out, birding is restarted and life continues on. The nights are clear and cool. Migrants are gone, but you'll find plenty of resident species to keep you distracted. Our prices are heavily discounted at this time of the year because many of our customers prefer to come to the tropics during the winter months to escape the cold, so demand is slower. Click here to see birding reports at this time of the year.

In September we start getting the first fall migrants, and this number climbs and reaches its climax around the middle of October and extending until the first week of November. This is the fall migration, a fantastic natural phenomenon when hundreds of thousands of raptors fly over the Tower on the way to their southern wintering grounds. This is one of the most impressive natural spectacles of neotropical birding. Click here for photographs of the hawk migration.

Is the Tower air conditioned?

No, for several reasons:

It is not hot here. The Canopy Tower is located on top of the highest hill in the vicinity, 1000 feet above sea level. There is always a breeze. The temperature often drops into the mid or low 70's (F), and many people wear light sweaters in the evenings. Furthermore, every room has a huge window and a big ceiling fan to enhance natural ventilation.
Air-handlers on air conditioning systems are notoriously noisy. We want you to be able to hear the sounds of the rainforest, the howls of the howler monkeys, the hoots of the owls, and the songs of birds, not the hum and growl of technology.
Air conditioning consumes lots of electricity. 50% of electric power in Panama comes from thermoelectric plants burning tons of oil and producing tons of pollution. In planning the Canopy Tower's conversion, Raúl made many decisions, including this one, in favor of continuing diverse life on the planet. We hope you'll agree that he made the right choice.

What is the weather like right now?

What should I bring for my visit?

If you come during the months of May to November, bring rain gear; an umbrella might also come in handy. Rubber boots are not necessary since we will not be crossing any streams, but an extra pair of sneakers or hiking shoes/boots is advised since some trails have plenty of mud. Insect repellent is also recommended for your walks in the forest. Please bring biodegradable shampoo, we recycle gray water. (Hair dryers are provided.)

A good pair of binoculars is a must, even if you are not a birdwatcher. There are plenty of other critters to look for. We recommend Leica equipment. Our guides use this brand and it is excelente. If you come during the rest of the year, a good hat to shade you from the near equatorial sun is a good idea as well as a pair of sandals to lounge around the Tower. In any case, bring earplugs. Sounds in the Tower travel easily and they might also come in handy: if your neighbor's snoring rivals the howls of the Howler Monkeys, you'll be glad you did! Finally, we have a Leica 77mm scope available on the top floor, but if you have one bring it anyway -- having an extra scope never hurt anybody.

Outdoor clothing, preferably made of cotton, of neutral colors to blend with the surroundings and facilitate wildlife observation. You may ask, what are neutral colors? Well, think of a Hawaian shirt, the opposite of that is attire of neutral colors. For dinner, we like to dress up a bit, nothing fancy, something in between bermuda shorts and dinner jacket.

Will I be able to recharge my camera batteries? Do I need a special adapter?

There are plenty of electric outlets in your room. No adapters are needed; our electricity is the same as in the good-old-USA. This was, after all, a USAF military installation.

Is there a way to reach the outside world during my stay in the Tower?

We have internet available at $5 unlimited use during your stay. You can also use our phone (213-2095) to call home. Bring an international calling card, or we can sell you a long distance calling card with access worldwide.

Do I need a VISA to enter Panama?

US Citizens need only a valid passport and a tourist card. The tourist card is sold by the airline and costs $5.00. Be sure to purchase one when checking in at the counter; otherwise you'll have to make an additional line in customs to purchase it upon arrival.

I am not all that interested in birdwatching. What else is there to do?

The abundant bird life around The Canopy Tower may change your mind! But there is also an abundance of activities for folks who have seen enough birds. Please take a look at our Activities without birds page for a banker's dozen list of nearby destinations.

For many, the rainforest surrounding the Tower offers endless interest. Many of the trees along Semaphore Hill Road have numbered tags that identify them to species level on a booklet prepared by botanists and biologists of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (click for our tree list). Mammals are also abundant around the tower: coatis, agoutis, and anteaters are commonly seen from the road, and howler and tamarin monkeys are sighted frequently from the tower. Due to "good seeing" resulting from few nearby lights at night, stargazing from the roof on a clear night can be delightful. At night, Panama City's lights are visible on the horizon, and lighted ships traverse the Canal. During the day you can see both the skyline of Panama City and the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.

The Canal is itself of prime interest to many. Two sets of locks on the Pacific side of the Canal, Miraflores and Pedro Miguel, are a short drive from the Tower, as well as the Panama Canal Visitor Center. Panama City itself, with its museums, fine restaurants and shops, is only 30 minutes away.

Activities at Gamboa, only 15 minutes away, include kayaking in the Panama Canal, an aerial tram, orchids and butterfly exhibits and fishing expeditions in the Gatun Lake.

Please visit our "a day at the Canopy Tower" page for a better idea of how our guests occupy themselves at the Tower. See also the activities page for maps & more. And, of course, the Activities without birds page, already mentioned, has a good list. Most of our visitors tell us they wish they could stay longer, as there is too much for one visit!

What is your policy regarding children?

Canopy Tower is not really a place for children younger than 13 years of age. The activities which we offer, and in which the Canopy Tower excels -- wildlife observation -- require silence and calm. Few young children can sustain these qualities while waiting to see a bird or a mammal. As you can imagine, a restless child can become a disturbance to other guests, while spoiling parental enjoyment of our extraordinary place

What is your policy regarding smoking?

Canopy Tower is a smoke-free lodge. However, there are smoking areas in the Observation Deck and in the front patio.

What is your Check-in / Check-out Policy?

Room check-out time is 9 AM, giving you time for breakfast and to birdwatch from the Observation Deck of the Tower. It also gives us time to prepare the room for its next guests. We'll be happy to make exceptions given sufficient notice.

Do you offer transportation to nearby birding spots, or do I need to rent a car?

It is not necessary to rent a car. If you wish to go birding by yourself, we also offer transportation to the birding areas.

Do I need to bring reference books on plants, birds, and other animals?

No need to carry any book other than the Birds of Panama. We have quite an extensive collection of natural history books to help guests identify a species or to learn more about a particular topic related to the ecology of the neotropics.

What is your policy regarding TIPS?

You may tip as much as you want -- the more the better! However, a rule of thumb is between $5 and $10 per day for lodge staff, among whom tips are divided equally.

The driver who brings you from the International Airport is an independent contractor and does not share on the tips left for the staff. You may tip him directly -- US $5 will be considered a good tip.

Likewise, our bird guides are tipped individually. How much? I don't know, it depends entirely on you. Obviously if they show you 75 "lifers" in week or find you THE bird for which you have been looking for several years, you'd be inclined to be generous. It is your decision. I will say that by recognizing their dedication, enthusiasm and knowledge we can encourage bird guides to be real professionals.

I'm a vegetarian. Will I go hungry?

No way! We serve plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lots of salads, plenty of nuts, and several veggie dishes made with "tofu", soy products and other ingredients. No problem satisfying your appetite, but please tell us when you make the reservation so we'll be prepared.

Do you have bird lists and bird reports from your area?

What mammals will I see during my visit?

Kinkajou, Olingo, Agouti, Coati, Paca, Geoffrey's Tamarin, Howler Monkey, White-faced Capuchin, Night Monkey, Forest Rabbit, Porcupine, Collared Peccary, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Grison, Tayra, Two-toed and Three-toed sloth, White-tailed deer, Gray Fox, Central American Woolly Opposum, Common Opposum, Ant eater (Tamandua), Nine banded armadillo, Red-tailed squirrel, Crab eating Racoon, Capybara and several species of bats and forest mice.

Are there snakes?

Nevertheless, if you are worried about snakes, we recommend you bring "snake gaiters" for your hikes on Pipeline Road and Plantation Trail. You can get them at Cabelas (cabelas.com).

Do I need Yellow Fever and/or Malaria vaccinations?

We are located in the former US Canal Zone; these diseases have been absent for decades from this area. The water from the tap is potable.

What birding companies bring tours to the Canopy Tower?

Some of the top birding companies from the United States, Canada and Great Britain offer tours to the Canopy Tower, for example: VENT, Field Guides, Caligo, WINGS, Borderland Tours, Mark Suomala, Fiona Reid, Ventures Birding, Eagle Eye Nature Tours, Birdquest, Naturetrek, Limosa Holidays and others.

The Canopy Tower is also popular with several Audubon chapters, for example, Massachusetts Audubon, Dallas Audubon, Venice Audubon as well as with the American Birding Association and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology which have offered donor trips to the Canopy Tower.

If I come in late, will I be served dinner?

Our kitchen closes at 8PM, if you intend to arrive after this hour it'd be better if you stop in a cafeteria in Panama City and grab a sandwich. Our kitchen staff goes to bed early to be able to wake up very early next day and serve you breakfast.

How late may I arrive?

Due to the disturbances late arrivals produce on our guests, the latest hour for check-in is 9:30PM. The gates will be locked at that time. If your flight is scheduled to land in Panama after 8PM, we recommend that you book a room in the Airport Hotel for that night. We can make arrangements for transfer to the Canopy Tower early next day.

If your flight is scheduled to land before 8PM but it is delayed past this time, we will transfer you to the Airport Hotel for that first night and pick you up early the next day for transfer to the Tower. The cost of the night you spend in the Airport Hotel will be your responsibility.

It will be your responsibility to inform us if your flight is delayed so we can make alternative arrangements in the airport hotel.

If you miss your flight completely we will extend your stay one more day to compensate the day lost, provided we have space in the Canopy Tower. Otherwise, there will not be reimbursement for the lost night.

How about early breakfasts?

Given 24 hour notice, we will be pleased to serve an "express breakfast" between 5AM and 7:30 AM for guests going out in tours. The "breakfast express" consists of fresh orange juice, coffee, tea, bread, coffee cakes, hard boiled eggs, bananas, yogurt. Full breakfast is served at 7:30AM.

How do I get to the Canopy Tower?