Sight guide · Panama City · Panama
Visiting Ancón Hill
The forested hill rising about 200 metres above the city is topped by a giant Panamanian flag.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kiam-shim, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Ancón Hill is a viewpoint in Canal Zone, Panama City. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Viewpoint
- Area
- Canal Zone
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, views, nature and active
- Best months
- January–March
About Ancón Hill
The forested hill rising about 200 metres above the city is topped by a giant Panamanian flag. A quiet paved road leads to the summit in about 30–45 minutes on foot, often past sloths, toucans and agoutis, with views of the canal, the Bridge of the Americas, Casco Viejo and the skyline.
Tip: Start early in the morning, when it is cooler and the wildlife is most active, and carry water.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Canal Zone.
Best time to visit Ancón Hill
Ancón Hill is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- February: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
- March: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
- January: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-February the sun sets at about 18:28 local time (calculated for Panama City).
When to visit Panama City has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Panama City itinerary visits Ancón Hill on day 1, together with Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal partial transit and Casco Viejo.
- No. 13 of the 15 sights in our Panama City things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Panama City.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Panama City.
- A family favourite in Panama City with kids.
Near Ancón Hill
Also in Canal Zone, so you can walk between them:
- Metropolitan Natural Park — 2–3 hours, low cost
- Panama Canal partial transit — 5–6 hours, expensive
- Miraflores Locks — 2 hours, mid-priced
If you like Ancón Hill
- Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas — Casco Viejo, 45 minutes
- Panamá Viejo — Panamá Viejo, 1.5–2 hours
- Amador Causeway — Amador, 2–3 hours
- Cinta Costera — Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa, 1–2 hours
Staying near Ancón Hill
Where to stay in Panama City compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Ancón Hill?
Plan 1.5–2 hours. With Metropolitan Natural Park nearby, it fits a half-day in Canal Zone.
+Is Ancón Hill free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Ancón Hill?
January–March for the most comfortable weather. Start early in the morning, when it is cooler and the wildlife is most active, and carry water.
+Do I need to book Ancón Hill in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Ancón Hill good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Panama City. Panama City is good for families: watching ships at the Miraflores Locks, the Biomuseo's displays, bike rides on the Amador Causeway and the Cinta Costera, and spotting sloths and monkeys in the city's forests and on Gatún Lake.