Rising approximately 654 feet, Ancon Hill towers over Panama City and offers visitors unparalleled views of the surrounding area including Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama Bay, Panama Canal Administration Building, Albrook Airport and the southern most section of the Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks & the Causeway).
Ancon Hill is part of the Panama City district of Ancon, which includes the residential and commercial areas of Ancon and Balboa. Part of the "Zone" during the US military presence, Ancon Hill once served as an senior officer housing area and troop encampment, and was highly restricted. The signing of the Panama Canal Treaty in 1977 between then US President Carter and Panamanian President Torrijos paved the way for "non military" portions of the "Zone" to be reverted to Panamanian ownership, beginning on October 1st, 1979. The transfer was phased in gradually over a period of years, during which time US and Panamanian personal often worked side by side. Ancon Hill was one of the first areas to benefit from this initiative, and shortly thereafter was put under Panamanian juristiction. As the American presence waned, primarily due to retirement and/or the repositioning of personnel, Ancon Hill slowly acquired a more residential appearance. Most of the property has since been sold to the private sector, although the very top of Ancon Hill still houses communication towers.
Blanketed with lush, verdant forest, Ancon Hill is now a protected wildlife refuge and is managed by ANAM. While not replete with wildlife, numerous bird species can be found as can several different land animal species, i.e. cotamundis. Ancon Hill has three different look-out areas, all of which are easily accessible and worth visiting as they provide three distinct view of the surrounding area. A large Panamanian flag resides on its peak, which can be seen from just about anywhere in Panama City.
How to Get There:
Ancon Hill is open to visitors between 8:00 - 5:00 daily. There is no charge for entry nor an established time limit. A public access road, which begins just behind the Panama Canal Administration Building, leads to the rim of Ancon Hill (just follow the signs to Ancon, then turn to the right). Upon your ascent, near its base, you'll need to check in with the park station. Due to the fact that the road is narrow and only permits one-way traffic you might be forced to wait for a descending vehicle to clear before receiving authorization to go ahead. Park officials are in constant communication with each other to assure that you have clear passage in either direction. For those who prefer to walk there is a staircase that begins from Mi Pueblito that leads to the same road mentioned above; it exits just below the park station where you have to check in(as you enter Mi Pueblito off the main road continue straight towards the park station which is situated further back on the right side. The staircase is located on the right side before reaching the park station).