This is where

your next adventure begins

Enjoy Nature

Discover the great variety of birds surrounding our center next to Pipeline Road in Gamboa. Walk on our trails and relax watching the hummingbirds in our Visitor Center at the borders of Soberanía National Park, just at a 40 minutes drive by car from Panama City.
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is an ecotourism and environmental education project under the administration of Eugene Eisenmann Avifauna Foundation, which main goal is the conservation of birds through environmental sustainability projects.

sounds, sights, smells

Forests full of life

The dripping mist from the leaves, the monkeys howling in the morning, the frogs croaking, and thousands of chanting birds filling up the silence.  These are the hosts and you are the visitor.
See more videos, hear more sounds

Our Facilities

Designed and built with sustainable architecture, using recycled materials and clean technologies.

Visitor Center

Solar panels and rainwater collectors allow this self-sustainable open structure of 140m2 to stand up in the middle of the jungle minimizing it's impact on the environment. This is the place where all the hiking trails start.

Built with 70% of recycled materials from the old Canal Zone constructions, the Visitor Center features a deck, cellar, and 2 restrooms. You can sit back and enjoy the variety of hummingbirds while sipping a free cup of coffee or hot tea.

Observation Tower

200m  from the Visitor Center, along a gravel path and wooden walkway, you will find our observation tower.

A spiral staircase of 174 steps brings you to the resting & observation platforms every 8m until you reach the top deck at 32m high, just above the forest canopy.

Forest Trails

With 1.1 km long and 1.2 m wide, our circuit of trails through the forest was built using fine gravel. The trails include a range from easy to moderate difficult levels, also you can find two resting locations:

One, by the edge of the Calamito Lake which has a small deck with benches great for observing water wildlife.

wait!

Forgot your binoculars?

Our Container-Store has you covered!

At the main entrance you'll see our Container-Store where you can buy tickets and rent binoculars at our small shop.  You can also buy water, cold drinks, snacks, hats, t-shirts, raincoats, mosquito repellent and many other. Here you will be able to access the restrooms as well.

Birdwatchers: this is for you

blue bird on a green branch

Our Bird List

The Pipeline Road is one of the most renowned places in the world for bird watching. Here in 1985, 385 bird species were identified during a bird count organized by the Audubon Society, establishing a record number with the most species of birds seen within a 24-hour period.

Download PDF and print!

Visiting Hours, Pricing & Reservations

Regular visiting hours

We are open from 6:00am to 4:00pm

  • Tourists/Non-residents entry fee: 30.00USD
  • Residents entry fee: 12.00USD
See pricing and schedules

Night Walks

Night walks start at 6:00pm and finish at 9:00pm Enjoy a different path, listen to different sounds,  and spot different inhabitants of the forest.

  • Donation is 30.00 plus regular entrance fee.

Where to get your tickets

Tickets for regular visiting hours are available for purchase at the front desk of the Container-Store, we accept cash and credit cards.
No reservation required.

Planning ahead?

Make a reservation!
We can take reservations for groups up to 25 persons.  Click here to fill out the reservations form.
Go to reservations form

Traveling with kids?

Residents/Non-residents kids' entrance fee is 5.00USD.
*Minors are not allowed on the observation tower.

Hungry Sundays

Every Sunday, from 11:30am to 3:30pm you can enjoy a delicious fried fish with crispy plantains for lunch for only 12.00 USD.

What they say about us?

Donations

  • During your visit

    You can make your contribution at the Visitors Center in cash or check payable to "Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann".

  • At our offices

    In Panama City, you can visit the Eugene Eisenmann Avifauna Foundation office and make your contribution in cash or check payable to "Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann".

  • Online

    You can make your contribution from the comfort of your own home or office with your credit card by clicking the “Click to Donate” button below.

Click to Donate

Scientific Projects

Read about the projects we've done with collaborations of international organizations and universities.

Know more about our projects

How to get here

Watch it on Google Maps

On your own? Read this first

  • Public Transport:

    The only bus service that goes to Gamboa departs from the National Transportation Terminal (in Spanish: Gran Terminal Nacional de Transporte) located at Albrook Mall in Panama City. We do not recommend this option as the buses are not entirely reliable and the bus stop is 5 Km from our entrance. In the case you do take the bus, ask the driver if it's possible to be dropped off at the Smithsonian dock, 2.5 Km from the entrance.

  • Taxis:

    There are no fixed fees. We strongly recommend you to discuss in advance and agree on a two-way fee with the driver, and pay at the end of your trip to ensure your return from Gamboa.

  • Car Rental:

    Rent a car to come visit our Center and have the chance to get to know other spots in the area like the Soberanía National Park, Summit Botanical Garden, and Miraflores Locks.

  • Uber / Cabify:

    Uber and Cabify are reliable options, and even though they are a bit expensive, they won’t be as expensive as taking a taxi. If you can chose the type of car, an SUV will be a better choice if you want to reach the Visitor Center faster, compared to a sedan. Try to get a 2-way trip, as the internet connection signal is a bit weak.

Go to Reservations
Go to Donations