Located within the limits of Panama City, this protected tropical forest is the site where the Smithsonian Institute carries out scientific research on the ecology of the forest canopy. In Panama, your ecotour can actually begin right on the outskirts of the city, where there is a large tropical forest reserve called Parque Metropolitano. Along the five trails of this convenient park can be seen a diversity of tropical wildlife, including toucans, parakeets, orioles, trogons, sloths, agoutis and Titi monkeys There is also a collection of native orchids, some of which will be blooming at any time of the year. Plant species are identified by plaques along the self-guided trails. The Metropolitan Natural Park, while containing a healthy supply of plant and animal species, should not be viewed as a prime location to view wildlife. While monkeys, iguanas, deer, and numerous bird species have all been reported, they are not very commonly sighted.