The views of Panama City from atop Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancon) are fantastic and, in this quick guide, I share everything you need to know to do the hike.
Hiking Ancon Hill in Panama City (Cerro Ancon in Spanish) is a great way to get a better perspective of the capital city and its surrounding area.
At just 199 m.a.s.l, the hill is a dominating feature of the cityscape, but small enough that anyone can climb it. What’s more, the route to the top is easy as it’s a paved road almost the whole way.
Hiking Ancon Hill is 1 of my top recommendations for your visit to Panama City and, in this quick guide, I share everything you need to know.
How to get to Ancon Hill in Panama city
Ancon Hill is close to Casco Viejo (the old quarter) and Cinta Costera (the coastal path), the 2 main tourist areas of the city, and you can get here easily on foot, by bus or with a taxi. There are different entry points, but most people start the hike at Avenida de Los Mártires, where there is a large car park.
A taxi from Casco Viejo, for example, to the entrance of the hill shouldn’t cost much more than $3 US nor take more than 20 min without traffic. Uber operates in Panama City and is usually a little cheaper than regular taxis.
If walking to Cerro Ancon, be careful of the busy dual carriageway which runs along the base of the hill. You have to cross this road to reach the entrance and crossing points are few and far between. If you decide to cross at a non-official crossing point, be quick because the traffic moves fast.
I’d only recommend taking a bus to Ancon Hill if coming from further away. If coming from 1 of the previously mentioned areas, the bus actually takes you out of your way and you still need to walk a lot. I recommend using Moovit to check your bus route.
To use the public bus system in Panama City, you’ll first need to buy a metro card and top it up with credit. These cost $2 US and each journey costs $0. 25. Metro cards are usually sold at large bus terminals and some supermarkets.
Ancon Hill opening times
There’s mixed messaging online about what time of day you can hike Ancon Hill. Some say the opening hours are 8:00 – 16:00 while others say sunrise hikes are possible.
I’m unable to confirm whether there’s an official schedule and so would advise visiting from 8:00 onwards. However, if you’re keen to get up there earlier, then I’d ask locals what they know or even go to Ancon Hill beforehand to speak with security.
Ancon Hill hike route
The hike to the top of Ancon Hill is easy and you get great views of the city centre skyscrapers, Cinta Costera, Casco Viejo and as far as the Panama Canal.
If starting from the entrance at Avenida de Los Mártires, then head left and uphill. On Google Maps, the road you follow leading away from the carpark is called Quarry Heights and you stick to it almost all the way to the viewpoints.
It’s a paved road the majority of the way, so really easy underfoot, and I wouldn’t call it steep. The road winds its way around the hill gradually climbing and takes you through dense, green forest. The forest is home to lots of wildfire and, if you’re lucky, you can spot species such as sloths, monkeys and all sorts of birds including colourful toucans.
Don’t worry about the guard station and any closed gates towards the start of the hike. The hike is free and, if a gate is closed, you can pass through it without getting in trouble. There are plenty of reports online of people doing the same without any problems.
It should take you around 45 min to reach the highest point of the hike, which is a large metal gate just before the huge Panama flag atop the hill. Unfortunately, if the gate is closed, you can’t reach the flag and, therefore, nor the true top of the hill. Do not climb over this gate as you will get in trouble.
Ancon Hill viewpoints
There are 2 viewpoints near the top of Ancon Hill and you reach these by taking the flight of steps to the left of the paved road.
The first viewpoint overlooks the city centre, Casco Viejo and Cinta Costera, while the second viewpoint, a little further around the hillside to the right, gives you great views as far as the Panama Canal.
After enjoying the viewpoints, you can rejoin the road and walk as far as the metal gate before the enormous Panama flag.
Ancon Hill history
Cerro Ancon isn’t just a scenic viewpoint; it played an important part in the rich history of Panama City.
- 1671: Henry Morgan, a Welsh privateer (some say pirate) sent scouts to the top of Ancon Hill to use it as a vantage point for his attack on the city
- 1904: the US took control of Ancon Hill as part of their strategic grab of the Panama Canal Zone
- 1977: control of Ancon Hill was returned to Panama and the large flag has flown as a symbol of sovereignty ever since
More Panama adventure travel guides on A World Over
That’s a wrap on my guide to hiking Ancon Hill in Panama City. This easy trek is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and, best of all, you don’t have to venture far nor pay an entrance fee. Enjoy the wildlife and viewpoints and take a picnic if you want a scenic lunch at the top.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Panama City, then I also recommend hiking at Metropolitan Natural Park, which also has great city viewpoints and wildlife.
Head to the Panama blog section for all my guides to this Central American country.