This was a highlight of our trip to Panama. It's hard to believe this Research Institute is right in the city. Very helpful staff pointed out multiple enormous iguanas and a pair of sloths -- all on the path in to the Center! Our school-age children really enjoyed holding the starfish and looking at the aquariums.

Nice marine center on the Amador Causeway. Small, with lots of explanations of beaches, mangroves, shorelines, the dry forest, as well as several exhibits nice for children. There is an aquarium with Pacific and Atlantic fishes. Also a "petting" pool, hawksbill turtle, baby nurse sharks and film. The staff made the visit special, attentive, speak English and Spanish and were... More

Staying on the Causeway a friend and I decided to visit here when we had some free time in the afternoon and we were so glad we did. Even though it was quite hot there was a breeze from the Bay which made it comfortable for walking. it is not very large but there are some unusual things to do... More

Just behind the Mi Ranchito Restaurant on the Amador causeway. Small centre but nice walks with examples of wet and dry rain forest, small aquarium. Likely to see a sloth or two, iguana and raccoons as well as Toucans.

The nature center packs a lot in a small space. There are tanks to observe sea life, opportunity to touch some sea life, a jungled trail and a fabulous view of the causeway. Part of what makes this center excellent was the expertise and enthusiasm of the staff, who even spoke English.

The place is not very big you can easily walk around in one hour or less depending how many children are running around, the staff is very polite and helpful and you have the chance to see cat sharks and sea turtles very close and even touch seastars but in general for me they don't worth the 5 bucks and... More

Everything was taken care of. From the treasure hunt to interacting with the sea creatures. The party appealed to kids of all ages (there were around 30 in total). We supplied the food and bevvies. They even had hostesses who spoke both English and Spanish, to accommodate the kids who only spoke one or the other language. Overall, a wonderful... More

It's a nice short drive on the causeway. The best part of the causeway is the Punta Culebra Nature Center (Smithsonian Tropical Research Center). We saw 2 sloths in the trees on the very short path through a dry forest as well as many different birds and iguanas. The aquariums are great--especially for kids--as you can actually touch a sting... More

This center is well worth an hour or two, at least. The personnel were knowledgeable and eager to point out and share information about the creatures. We saw two sloths, several large iguanas, interesting birds, as well as the marine creatures housed there, mostly in outdoor tanks. We could touch a starfish or stingray, watch a tortoise and nurse sharks.