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Cerro Ancón (Ancón Hill) is the highest point in Panama City. It’s part of a nature reserve and a great place to escape the city without leaving.
Introduction to Cerro Ancón
Cerro Ancón, which is 199 meters (653 feet) high, is located between Balboa and Casco Viejo. It was under US administration as part of the old Panama Canal Zone. The slopes contained residences, including the home of the governor of the Canal Zone, and the Gorgas Hospital. When Panama regained control of the hill in 1980, the first action taken was to raise a large flag visible from the entire city.
Going further back in history, before Henry Morgan (c. 1635-1688) sacked Panama City in 1671, he sent scouts up to the top of Cerro Ancón to study local defenses.
Trail to the Top of Cerro Ancón
Today, there’s a trail to the summit of Cerro Ancón that’s popular with hikers and joggers. It takes about 30 minutes to walk up, and cars can drive up from 8am to 3pm. Along the way, it’s possible to see sloths, armadillos, coatis, deer, lizards, and lots of birds.
Once at the top, you’ll find a small park with benches, a few structures, and some scenic viewpoints with amazing views.
From one of the viewpoints, there are excellent views of the modern city and Casco Viejo. From another point, it’s possible to see the Bridge of the Americas and the Panama Canal.
Also at the top are a few monuments. The first two stand side by side. One commemorates the raising of the Panamanian flag on Cerro Ancón while the other honors the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties on September 7, 1977, guaranteeing Panamanian control of the canal after 1999.
The other is a statue of Amelia Denis de Icaza (1836-1911), a Panamanian poet who made the hill a national symbol after she wrote Al Cerro Ancón in 1906. The poem reflects the sadness she felt after the hill was annexed by the United States. The statue appropriately sits next to the flagpole.
Mi Pueblito
Mi Pueblito is a touristy park at the base of Cerro Ancón. It features replica traditional villages from the three most prominent cultures. If you can’t make it out of Panama City, this is an interesting way to see how Panamanians live in rural areas and the traditional construction styles of the country.
Admission for foreigners is US$3 for adults and free for kids, students with a valid ID, and seniors (as of October 2025). It’s open daily from 8am to 4pm. I took a taxi from Albrook to get there. Check the official website for more info.
Mi Pueblito is definitely a cheesy tourist trap but it didn’t seem to be trapping many tourists during my visit. I had the whole place to myself. It felt like a ghost town and none of the employees seemed too interested in taking my money. The women running the souvenir shops were a little aggressive with their sales pitches, however. Overall, it’s nicely put together but definitely not a must-see.
Mestizo Village
The first attraction is a mestizo village situated around a small plaza. There are homes, municipal offices, and more. You’ll also find a small exhibition of traditional clothing.
The village comes complete with a school, church, and barber shop. Inside each building you’ll find typical items people used in the past.
A middle-class home is laid out in the traditional Spanish colonial style, with several rooms surrounding a central courtyard. Among the rooms represented are a dining room, bedroom, and sitting room.
A more modest home is rectangular in shape and has a thatched roof. You’ll see a large sitting room, a bedroom, a workshop, and a kitchen.
Afro-Antillean Village
Next is an Afro-Antillean village with its beautiful architecture. I was able to have a fresh juice and ice cream in the small café in this village. None of the shops were open.
Indigenous Village
Finally is an indigenous village with huts made of wood and straw.
