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Just a 30-minute drive from the heart of Panama City, we can find the Sovereignty National Park, with peculiarly attractive natural treasures and plenty of activities as part of the excursions
The path into the Sovereignty National Park stands in front of us with numberless natural treasures. We immediately see one of them: a resplendent trogon with green, white and red feathers that flies up to the highest branches, away from us.
Further on, we run into another colorful bird: an iris-beak toucan shows us the beauty of its exotic figure. The bird has blue legs and some red feathers on its black-colored body.
We realize we are walking on the ancient stones of an old Spanish road. The guide tells us that it was built throughout the isthmus, from Panama City to the banks of the Chagres River.
We are talking about the famous Camino de Cruces, which was built with the technology brought by the Spaniards from the Iberian Peninsula, Rome and Cartagena.    
To a naked eye we can notice that they tried to put big cross-shaped stones in the muddy land of that rainforest, and then they filled the spaces with smaller slabs to eventually buttress the sides. 
The resulting road is lightly curved, hasn’t been affected by the rain and has lasted for hundreds of years. It was used by travelers until the mid-19th century when a railway track was built following the same route and became the most important ones of the continent, as it moved hundreds of passengers from one sea shore to the other in just a few hours.
It’s very exciting to walk through a jungle path that is linked to explorers and commerce routes from centuries ago, with the history of cruel pirates in search of wealth, and products that changed the world.

New Ways and One Destination
Panamanian tour operators have pieced together products related to these forests and their history, which they are offering to both national and international tourists, at different prices. The tours can be enjoyed with different levels of comfort.
We learned that the Canopy Tower is a jaw-dropping option. Those who visit this place find a small green hotel, built on the structures of an old radar tower that once belonged to the U.S. Army.
It stands out over the forest’s canopy and, from its windows panes, guests can have a view of most of the over 500 bird species that dwell in these forests.  
There is no high-class luxury in this hotel, but it does feature excellent services and experts describe it as one of the best lodgings for birdwatchers and scientists. It’s perched on the road to Gamboa.
We travel to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort for a closer look at the forest canopy, one of the least-known regions on the planet. We’re bound to cross a rustic wood-and-iron bridge that also props the abovementioned railroad track.
This resort, built on the Chagres River bank, is hedged by the rainforest of the Sovereignty Park and offers a picture-perfect cable railway ride up to the top of a hill.
Comfortable gondolas will take you to a watchtower where you can steal a peek at one-of-a-kind scenery with vessels that cross Corte Culebra.
The cable railway ride is eye-popping. This resort also features a special area for butterflies, a snake safe haven and an orchid garden. The program of activities also includes the chance to catch five-pound sergeant fish, but the most exciting moment comes when you fight the king of the river: the fantastic royal shad. It’s a dream-like adventure just 30 minutes away from the heart of Panama City.

It’s very exciting to walk through a jungle path that is linked to explorers and commerce routes from centuries ago, with the history of cruel pirates in search of wealth, and products that changed the world.