Marine Exhibition Center of Punta Culebra

The Marine Exhibition Center sits on Naos Island as an open-air museum with outdoor paths and trails through dry tropical forest. It contains multiple tanks and displays showing marine life from Panamanian waters, where visitors can see local creatures up close.

The center was founded in 1996 by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute to support research and education about Panama's oceans. It grew as an important place for understanding marine ecosystems and their importance to the region.

The center displays local marine animals like sea turtles and starfish in tanks you encounter while walking. It shows how the people of Panama connect with the ocean through their daily lives and the resources that come from Pacific waters.

The site is easily reached on foot and can be explored via well-marked paths between different areas. The best time to visit is during warmer months, as the paths offer shade but it can still get hot.

From the observation terrace you can watch the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal while learning about the sea. This connection makes the place special because you see two worlds at once - nature and human engineering.

Location: Panama City

Inception: 1996

GPS coordinates: 8.91193,-79.52864

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47