The Canopy Tower was built by the United States Air Force to house
powerful radar used in the defense of the Panama Canal. In 1996 the
tower and its 35 acres of rainforest were transferred to Panama in
compliance with the Torrijos-Carter Treaty. A local businessman and
conservationist, Raul Arias de Parra, transformed the radar tower
into a unique, exclusive ecolodge.
The Canopy
Tower is
located in the heart of Soberanía
National Park and overlooks the Park and the Panama Canal. You
have an unparalleled
eye-level-with-the-canopy views of magnificent tropical birds
as well as monkeys and sloth. This is before you even step foot
off
the property!
The
Accomodations
The Canopy Tower has five levels that offer different views of the
forest around it. The flat roof is a great place to watch the canopy,
as well as the Panama Canal and, in the distance, the skyline of
the city. The top floor, covered by a 30 foot high geo-tangent dome
(a variation of Buckminster Fuller's famous geodesic dome), is used
as the main dining area, and is completely surrounded by panoramic
windows. The floors below house the bedrooms. Below the rooms, a
mezzanine with more windows adds viewing opportunities of the lower
levels of the forest canopy. Finally, the ground floor houses exhibits
about the environment and the surrounding forest and the animals
that live in it.
Guest rooms at the Tower are simple but very comfortable. All of
the double rooms have 2 twin beds, a small desk and chair, private
bath with hot water, hairdryers, and environmentally safe soaps and
shampoos. A limited number of guaranteed single rooms are available
and they share one bathroom.
Raul Arias' sister is a celebrity chef in Panama and has designed
the menus. We think you'll be happy with the delicious and creative
food, utilizing local produce.
The
Activities
|
|
Barbara's
Tips
for
Canopy Tower
Here
|
|
A
Socially and Enviromentally Responsible Lodge
Lodge Mission:
Our mission is to bring people to a comfortable closeness with
the rich Panamanian rainforest, and to share our enthusiasm
for the
birds and wildlife, so they will join with us in working to conserve
the spectacular diversity of Nature.
