Panama City lies at the heart of the Canal Zone, a protected watershed that consists of large tracks of primary and secondary rain forest. Of particular interest to tourists is Parque Nacional Soberanía, which is home to the legendary birding destination of Pipeline Road. Here, with a little luck, you can spot hundreds of tropical bird species in just a few hours.

If you're interested in exploring this region, you can either hit the road in a rental car, or participate in any of the organised tours offered by Ancon Expeditions of Panama (tel: 269 9415; website: www.anconexpeditions.com).

Day trip options include guided birding tours along Pipeline Road, hikes through Parque Nacional Soberanía, a visit to the Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo and/or a tour of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) on Isla Barro Colorado.