Punta Culebra Nature Center
Amador Causeway, Panama City, PAN
Perched at the mouth of the Panama Canal, Punta Culebra Nature Center introduces visitors of all ages to the country’s vibrant biodiversity. You'll encounter bright frogs, colorful fishes, sloths, and other wildlife at its indoor-outdoor exhibits. Highlights include aquariums and two short walking trails through a dry tropical forest.
The Punta Culebra Nature Center is a family-friendly destination run by the Smithsonian Institute, with a scenic location on Amador Causeway in Panama City. Its marine and amphibian exhibits make science accessible, while walking trails, hands-on activities, and play spaces encourage interaction. Just outside of the nature center, picnic tables offer great views of enormous boats, cargo ships, and passenger vessels making their way eastward into the Panama Canal.
Most visitors spent 1.5 hours visiting Punta Culebra Nature Center.
A hat and sunscreen come in handy when exploring outdoor exhibits.
Hours can vary, so it’s a good idea to call ahead before visiting.
Punta Culebra Nature Center is located on Naos Island, at the end of Panama City’s Amador Causeway. To come by bus, take Panama Metrobus line C850 from Albrook Mall to the Smithsonian Labs stop on Naos Island; the nature center is a 820-foot (250-meter) walk from the bus stop. Limited onsite parking is available, and visitors will be turned away when the lot reaches capacity.
The nature center is open Wednesday–Friday, 1pm–4pm, and on weekends, 9am–4pm. It’s closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Carnaval Tuesday, Good Friday, and Easter. Opening times can change unexpectedly, making it a good idea to confirm hours by phone before visiting.
Built using rock excavated from the Panama Canal, this causeway is now one of Panama City’s favorite spots to relax and play. The colorful, Frank Gehry–designed Biomuseo is another top destination here, with exhibits highlighting Panama’s natural and cultural history. Kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles are available for rent nearby, and the Floor Fountain is a kid-friendly splash pad that’s bustling on hot days. Amador Causeway also enjoys some of Panama City’s finest sunsets.
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