Just a 20-minute drive from the Administration Building, Summit Gardens is spread over 300 acres with 15 ,000 varieties of plant life. There are also picnic and playground areas and a small zoo.

In the same area is located Parque Soberania—54,340 acres of great importance in the struggle to preserve a portion of the remaining neotropical forests. Several trails including the world-famous Pipeline road (where a world birdwatching record was set) run through it and are easily accessible from the main road. With a little luck, ten minutes after plunging into the jungle, you'll hear the high-pitched laughter of monkeys swinging above you.

Amador Causeway

Stretching approximately three kilometers into the Pacific Ocean at the southern entrance of the Panama Canal is what Panamanians call Calzada de Amador or simply “The Causeway”. Panama's most popular strip was originally built around 1915 as a barrier to prevent sediment from the Bay of Panama from building at the entrance of the Canal.

Recently, the government of Panama has invested a substantial sum in infrastructure and has given the Causeway a new, trendy look, reminiscent of Southern California beaches. Jogging, biking and skating are the top activities enjoyed on the Causeway, with the opportunity to enjoy commanding vistas of Panama City's skyline, the Bay of Panama and the entrance to the world-famous waterway. Afterwards, one can pick from over 20 restaurants, or various trendy nightspots, to relax.

A marine science center, managed by the Smithsonian Institute, is also located there and offers visitors a wealth of information on Panama's rich sea life. More information on Amador Causeway here.

For History Buffs: Remnants of the old French Canal

What is left of the French canal? Many, including the majority of local tourist guides are simply unaware of its existence, in spite the fact one of its two remaining segments is not far away from one of the most visited landmarks of the Panama Canal.

The closest of these stretches to Panama City is adjacent to the Miraflores Locks, on the east side of today's canal. To get there, visitors need to cross the Miraflores bridge and ride along the Cocoli highway. After passing through a field of rusty 19th or early-20th century canal machinery, visitors will encounter what resembles an elongated lake. This body of water is what is left of the French canal venture on the Pacific side of the Isthmus. More information here.