A
good walk around the block or through secluded forests can be a
relaxing experience both for body and soul, and Panama City visitors
seeking to get in shape or discover their host city will not be
disappointed at the endless options for walking or jogging found
in and around the capital.
Panama enjoys a summer-like
climate year round, excellent for outdoor activities, although visitors
from cooler climates need to keep in mind a few precautions while
getting their exercise outdoors.
The best time of day
to jog or walk is from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m., since days can get extremely hot, especially around
the months of April and May. We advise using a good sun screen (ph.15-30),
drinking large amounts of water and wearing light cotton garments
for sweat absorption.
Relative humidity in
Panama is high most of the year, but drops considerably during the
dry season, which runs from January to April. These months are the
most comfortable for walking and jogging, since there is little
rain fall and trade winds blow constantly.
After May, joggers and
walkers may need to watch out for aguaceros – thunderstorms—
which generally occur in the early afternoon up until October, and
in the late afternoon thereafter (fortunately, the average storm
lasts 14 minutes and there are normally only about 14 "completely"
rainy days a year).
One of Panama City´s
prime jogging areas is Avenida Balboa. This coastal avenue begins
at the Paitilla neighborhood and ends close to the "Casco Viejo"
(Old Quarter). Joggers will enjoy a beautiful view of the Bay of
Panama, the Anayansi and Balboa parks and the city´s skyscrapers.
Vía España
area can access Avenida Balboa through Avenida Federico Boyd).
The Metropolitan Nature
Park, one of the few tropical forests in the world within the limits
of a capital city, offers a breathtaking ecotourist experience.
This 265-hectare park is home to 186 of the more than 900 species
of birds found throughout Panama and it is also possible to find
a number of mammals and amphibians along its nature trails. (The
park requires a small donation as an entrance fee. Call 232-5552)
Another favorite area
is Parque Omar in the San Francisco neighborhood. The largest park
located within the city limits, Parque Omar is about half a mile
from the Caesar Park hotel and has asphalt trails. It opens at 6:00
a.m.
For those seeking to
take their adventure to "higher ground", we recommend
visiting Ancon hill. A long-time symbol of Panamanian identity,
this 600 foot hill in its time has served as the city´s source
of fresh water and as a watch station against pirates. Visitors
may choose to negotiate Ancon either by foot or by mountain bikes,
while observing the colorful toucans, exotic blue and black frogs
and exuberant vegetation. The summit offers the best vista of the
city and the Canal area. The entrance to the hill is located on
Avenida de los Mártires (4th of July Avenue), close to the
"Mi Pueblito" tourist complex.
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