To celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we’ve been sharing the inspiring story of how Raúl Arias de Para, Canopy Family’s president and founder, turned a vision into reality. In our previous Newsletter, we explored the challenges Raúl faced in finding the perfect location near the Panama Canal for an ecolodge. After much perseverance, he secured the concession to transform an old radar tower in Soberanía National Park into a unique retreat for bird and nature enthusiasts.
In the final episode of this saga, we delve into the challenges Raúl faced during and after reconstruction—a journey marked by creativity and persistence.
“The reconstruction of the tower was hard, but it was fun!” Raúl recalls with a smile.
Overcoming Obstacles at Every Step
The tower’s location, atop a hill about 35 minutes from Panama City, posed its first challenge. Transporting construction materials up the hill required meticulous planning. Then came the architectural hurdles—designing a space conducive to birdwatching and nature observation. Originally, the tower lacked windows in the living spaces, an essential feature for an ecolodge, so architects worked tirelessly to incorporate large windows. Also, Raúl had to replace the original metal flooring on the upper levels with concrete—no small feat, considering the difficulty of hauling materials up the tower’s stairs.
The Water Supply Conundrum
Another big concern during the reconstruction process was a looking for a drinking water source. One day, while renovations were underway, a former radar operator from the Air Force visited the site out of curiosity. When Raúl inquired about the tower’s original water source, the man explained they once used a water wheel but abandoned it due to concerns over potential poisoning during their surveillance operations, since they were monitoring flights, which sometimes were suspected of carrying drugs. Raúl saw an opportunity. With some ingenuity and effort, he restored the old water wheel to working condition, solving the water issue.
Opening Day and Beyond
In 1999, the Canopy Tower officially opened its doors as an ecolodge. But the journey was far from over. Initially, it was challenging to attract visitors—this was before the age of social media, after all. Just as momentum was building, the tragic events of 9/11 in 2001 impacted international travel, significantly reducing visitors from the U.S.
More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic brought another period of uncertainty, halting Canopy Family operations for nearly two years. Yet, thanks to the loyalty and support of our incredible customers, the Canopy Family emerged stronger than ever.
25 Years of Growth and Gratitude
Today, Raúl reflects on these challenges as invaluable growth experiences. The Canopy Tower has become a cornerstone of ecotourism in Panama, with almost 80 employees proudly representing the Canopy Family. While the journey has had its share of trials, it has also been filled with unforgettable moments and achievements.
Here’s to 25 amazing years—and many more to come!