The Visit
Children at the turtle pond
The Punta Culebra Nature Center allows visitors to take a short journey through Panama's geological, military and natural history, and to learn about marine and terrestrial life through a unique experience.
Most of the constructions here are old military bunkers built during the First World War; columns date back to construction of the Panama Canal. There is also a small room, called "la casita", built more recently by old Panamanian Defense Forces. All of these spaces have been conditioned to hold temporal and permanent exhibitions and to serve as projection areas.
Natural attractions
- There are two trails through a tropical dry forest, a typical ecosystem of the Pacific side of Central America which is almost extinct today. This forest is a refuge and habitat for racoons, iguanas, birds of all kinds and armadillos, among others animals that visitors can admire as they walk around.
- The rocky shore, the sandy beach and a patch of white mangrove forest have plenty of marine life which is best seen during low tide.
- The sea life exhibitions show the magnificent biodiversity of Panamanian coastal ecosystems, particularly that of coral reefs from the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
- A pool that is home to sea turtles and sharks who swim among other colorful fish.
- Experience touching marine organisms such as sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins and even stingrays.
- As they walk through the natural trails and the exhibitions, visitors will receive information from specially trained naturalists about Smithsonian research.
- A beautiful view of the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal completes this educational experience.
Oreaster sp, sea star from the Caribbean Sea
Current bilingual Interactive exhibitions
- Panama: abundance of fish
- Discovery Room: A journey with all the senses
- Sea turtles: mysterious navigators
- Marine Physical Process and Panama's Upwelling Event
- Rise of the Isthmus
- Educational Signage about Punta Culebra's environment and history.