gamboa rainforest reserve tours

The Ultimate Guide to Gamboa Rainforest

Gamboa Rainforest is the perfect jungle getaway from Panama City. A short 30-minute drive from the center of the capital, the park offers a complete experience that includes visiting an indigenous tribe, going on a night safari, spotting wildlife on the riverbanks and enjoying the comfort of a great resort. Make the most of your visit with our ultimate guide to Gamboa Rainforest .

Chagres river boat tour.

The Chagres River Boat Tour is the quickest and easiest way to get to know Gamboa and the natural wonders that the park has to offer. Sailing through the canal and along the riverbanks of the Chagres River you will get a feeling for Panama’s exotic vegetation and its diverse wildlife .

Freshwater fishing

Kayak on the Chagres River

Kayaking on the Chagres River is a millennial activity that traces back to pre-Colombine times. First with canoes and later with small boats, the river and the canal have always been explored and inhabited. Take a kayak tour on the Chagres River or on the Panama Canal to enjoy the closest possible contact with nature.

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Guided birdwatching tour

Panama is one of the hottest locations for birdwatching in the world. With over 1,000 species inhabiting its territory, the country is home to 10% of all existing bird species. Some of the best birdwatching can either be done when taking one of the boat tours, as well as on the Gamboa Resort grounds and along the Pipeline Road.

Aerial Tram

The Aerial Tram is a 600 meter-long tram that rises above the rainforest offering a unique perspective over Gamboa’s fauna and wildlife. During the tour, visitors are likely to spot a multitude of animals including sloths and a wide array of exotic bird species. At the end of the tram is a watchtower overlooking the Soberanía National Park and the intersection of the Chagres River with the Panama Canal.

Visit the nature labs

Gamboa is home to some natural labs including a butterfly farm, an orchids center and a frog pond. The tour of the labs is ideal if you’re a biology enthusiast keen to get to know the lifecycle of some of the most exciting flora and fauna of Panama.

Boat ride on the Gatun Lake

The Gatun Lake is the second-largest artificial lake in the world. A boat tour along the Chagres River and among the little islands will give an insight into the fascinating ecology and history of the place. With a little luck you will also be able to spot several species of monkeys and birds, as well as crocodiles along the riverbanks.

Visit an Embera Tribe

The Emberá and Wunaan are indigenous groups native to Panama that live along the banks of the Chagres River. Get to know their culture, lifestyle and traditions by taking a tour to one of their villages. You can also choose to stay overnight for the ultimate experience.

Night Safari

If you are an adventurous traveler, try the Night Safari offered by the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Armed with torches and flashlights, the expedition leaves the river shores by boat and explores the surrounding region under moonlight. If you’re lucky, you may spot the eyes of a crocodile shining in the distance.

Sunday brunch with mimosas

Finally, treat yourself to a sumptuous Sunday brunch at Gamboa Rainforest Resort . The brunch features both breakfast dishes as well as sushi, pasta and salads, plus lots of champagne and mimosas to end the Gamboa adventure in style.

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Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

Corregimiento de Cristobal Colon IA 5 Panama 7338, 00000 Gamboa, Panama – Excellent location – show map

Cleanliness

Value for money

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Amazing view. Great pools. Breakfast etc better than I expected based on reviews. Food was OK.

Amazing location. Grounds well maintained. Beautiful views from balcony. Friendly staff. Well organized tours with knowledgeable tour guides. Lovely walks into rainforest from the property. Plenty of birds and critters to spot. Food was varied and high quality. Restaurant also boasts a lovely view.

Very glad it was part of our Panama trip. We did several of facilities activities over 2 days.

Huge pool, friendly staff, large, comfortable rooms

Amazing nature. Room was surprisinglybclean and comfy

Perfect place to stay with young kids as it gave us space for the kids to walk around without being worried about cars. There is a kids pool that is ideal for toddlers. The breakfast buffet had lots of options and was included in our room rate. Rooms are spacious and well air conditioned. Parking is free. While most at the hotel appeared to be there for rainforest tours, we used it as our home base to go in an out of the city as well as visiting friends in Gamboa.

The tours were very good, great staff, food tasty, exceptional building but service not as good. Had to ask 3 times for towels.

Service was much better than all the previous times I've been. Check in was seamless and bar service very good. I liked the new bar too!

Really fun place to take kids. It was a $30-40 Uber from Panama City. There is a lot to do here. The tours cost extra but we all liked the Aerial tram and Gatun monkey boat tour best. The free night safari was short but fun. Overall we saw lots of monkeys. caipybara, caiman and birds. The pool is relaxed and the buffet meals had something for everyone.

The location is great. Far away from the noise of the city. Good facilities and very friendly staff.

Excellent location!

Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Reserve now

Set within Soberania National Park, the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve offers an outdoor pool, a sensory spa and stunning views of the River Chagres. Panama City is just a 30-minute drive away. Property offers free WiFi in all rooms. The air-conditioned rooms and suites at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve feature balconies with garden or river views. All accommodations includes a flat-screen cable TV and a marble bathroom with free toiletries. The Gamboa’s restaurant serves international cuisine, and room service is available. The resort also has a gift shop and a tour desk, where you can book airport transfers and jungle adventure tours. Gamboa Rainforest Reserve is located a 2-minute drive from the Panama Canal and around a 35-minute drive from Albrook Shopping Center and Panama City Airport. Free private parking is provided for guests.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.2 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

• Outdoor swimming pool
• Non-smoking rooms
• 3 restaurants
• Room service
• Facilities for disabled guests
• Free parking
• Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
• Good Breakfast

Property Highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.1)

Breakfast Info

Free parking available at the hotel

Saved to 1123 lists

Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Property practices

Categories:, see what guests loved the most:.

Hotel area info

Restaurants 3 restaurants on site.

• Cuisine Grill/BBQ
• Open for Lunch
• Ambience Family-friendly
• Cuisine International
• Dietary options Vegetarian
• Open for Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
• Ambience Family-friendly • Traditional

Amenities of Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

• Toilet paper
• Private Bathroom
• Free toiletries
• Wardrobe or closet
• Alarm clock
• Garden view
• Picnic area
• Outdoor furniture
• Socket near the bed
• Clothes rack
• Bicycle rental Additional charge
• Tour or class about local culture Additional charge
• Walking tours
• Tennis equipment
• Fishing Additional charge
• Golf course (within 2 miles) Additional charge
• Tennis court
• Sitting area
• Flat-screen TV
• Cable channels
• Fruit Additional charge
• Wine/Champagne Additional charge
• Special diet meals (on request)
• Breakfast in the room
• Tea/Coffee maker
• Accessible parking
• Invoice provided
• Private check-in/out
• Baggage storage
• Express check-in/out
• 24-hour front desk
• Outdoor play equipment for kids
• Board games/Puzzles
• Daily housekeeping
• Ironing service Additional charge
• Dry cleaning Additional charge
• Laundry Additional charge
• Fax/Photocopying Additional charge
• Business center Additional charge
• Meeting/Banquet facilities Additional charge
• Fire extinguishers
• CCTV outside property
• CCTV in common areas
• Smoke alarms
• Security alarm
• Key card access
• 24-hour security
• Designated smoking area
• Air conditioning
• Smoke-free property
• Wake-up service
• Tile/Marble floor
• Family rooms
• Hair/Beauty salon
• Wake-up service/Alarm clock
• Entire unit wheelchair accessible
• Upper floors accessible by elevator
• Open all year
• All ages welcome
• Kids' pool
• Beach umbrellas
• Beach chairs/Loungers

See availability House rules

From 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM

From 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Cancellation/ prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

Prices for cribs and extra beds aren't included in the total price. They'll have to be paid for separately during your stay.

The number of extra beds and cribs allowed depends on the option you choose. Check your selected option for more info.

All cribs and extra beds are subject to availability.

Age restriction

The minimum age for check-in is 18

Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.

Accepted payment methods

Cash Gamboa Rainforest Reserve accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

FAQs about Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

What are the check-in and check-out times at gamboa rainforest reserve.

Check-in at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve is from 3:00 PM, and check-out is until 12:00 PM.

Does Gamboa Rainforest Reserve have a pool?

Yes, this hotel has a pool. See details about the pool and other facilities on this page.

Is Gamboa Rainforest Reserve popular with families?

Yes, Gamboa Rainforest Reserve is popular with guests booking family stays.

What kind of breakfast is served at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve?

Guests staying at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 7.5).

How far is Gamboa Rainforest Reserve from the center of Gamboa?

Gamboa Rainforest Reserve is 3,100 feet from the center of Gamboa. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

Does Gamboa Rainforest Reserve have a restaurant on site?

• Corotu Restaurant
• Texas One Ten

How much does it cost to stay at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve?

The prices at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

What is there to do at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve?

• Golf course (within 2 miles)
• Tour or class about local culture
• Bicycle rental
• Swimming pool

What type of room can I book at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve?

The best of gamboa, stadiums or arenas.

• Rod Carew National Stadium

Most Popular Cities

• Panama City
• La Chorrera

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Recorriendo Panamá

Know the beauty of this country., gamboa aerial tram, relaxing tour in a tropical forest.

• by Recorriendo Panamá
• Posted on April 11, 2022 February 8, 2023

One of the tours that I wanted to do for a while was the Gamboa Aerial Tram, recently I had the opportunity to go, I tell you that I liked it more than I expected.

I make the reservation to 9:15 a.m. for the first trip, since the animals use to be seen early in the day and of course I wanted to see them.

We left early, and in less than an hour we had arrived. This time I took Jerry to help me with some photos.

Meeting Point

First of all, you have to go to the Tour Desk , in Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Hotel, but it is not in the hotel building, once you cross the Gamboa bridge, turn right and indicate to the person at the entrance that you are going to the Tour Desk and he will give you directions.

Then you have to report to the Tour Desk and from there a small bus/truck will take you to the beginning of the tour, it is a short trip.

Start of the Aerial Tram Tour

Once we arrived, you could see the cabins, I don’t know how it is on other occasions, but in our case, we got into the cabins by family or groups , there was no one else in ours. There are 18 cabins, so you won’t be left without one.

It was a super nice day, with a nice cool breeze.

They gave us an audio guide per person, that told us what we can see and some historical information about the Panama Canal and the Chagres River, I think the audio guide is more for foreigners.

During the trip we saw beautiful landscapes, and some birds.

We reach the end of the first part, at the highest point of the aerial tram, Pelado (Bare) Hill , which is not bare hahaha, then we continue along a trail.

It’s a short trail, maybe only a couple of minutes, where you walk near big trees, in a tropical forest.

Perfect for those who want to go hiking or see a forest up close without walking a lot.

Observation Tower

At the end of the path there is a tower , 9 levels (30m high), yes, it is quite high, you go up little by little by means of a ramp that is on the walls of the tower.

As you go up you can see the different levels of the trees and the Chagres River.

The top is covered and there are chairs, perfect for taking a break, just missing a hammock hahaha. We stayed for a long time, enjoying the relaxing breeze.

The top of the tower has a 360º view in which you can see the Panama Canal and of course some of the ships that are transiting, the Soberanía National Park , the Chagres River and an Emberá indigenous community , whose name I do not remember and when They told me I couldn’t pronounce it, hahaha.

It was time to go back, so we went down to continue the trail to the Aerial Tram.

Surprise Back on the Aerial Tram

On the way back, 2 toucans passed us very close, it was quite exciting, we continued, and later almost at the end of the section…

We saw a group of monkeys that were eating, Jerry had the long-distance lens, thinking that we would see them far away and quickly changed it.

The monkeys were practically a couple of meters from us, be careful, animals should not be touched, so don’t even try.

• Use sunscreen,
• Comfortable clothes,
• Raincoat in case of rain,
• Waterproof bag for your things, in case of rain,
• Complete change of clothes, in case it rains and gets wet,
• Do not leave garbage.
• Tuesday to Sunday
• The first group starts at 9:15 am and the last one is at 3:30 pm.
• The tour can take just over 1 hour, everything will depend on how long you spend in the tower.
• $44.94 per person.

Extra information

Each cabin has a maximum capacity of 6 people, important if you want to make a group and go together.

In case of going with a disabled person, check with the Tour Desk, from what I saw, the tour could be done, only that, if you go in a wheelchair, you would have to carry it folded (occupying the space of 2 people) and a person should lift him / her into the cabin (the space to enter is not very wide).

Contact to go to the Aerial Tram

For more information and reservations, you can contact Gamboa Rainforest Reserve , at 507 6676-5611 (WhatsApp-every day), 507 314-5028 (only Saturdays and Sundays) or by email at [email protected]

Other Activities at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve.

• Sloth Sanctuary
• El Dique Trail
• Butterfly farm
• Chunga Trail.

Where is the Gamboa Aerial Tram?

It is in Gamboa, Colón, specifically, within the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Facilities.

How to get to the Aerial Tram?

It is quite easy to get there, go through Omar Torrijos Avenue , depending on where you travel, you can go through Clayton, Paraíso.

If you are traveling from Panamá Oeste, after the Centenario Bridge, you must take the road to Gamboa (first exit after the next bridge), or if you are traveling from Ricardo J. Alfaro , through Centenario Avenue, you must take the first exit before the Centenario Bridge.

Continue straight until you see the Gamboa or Summit sign, take the road to the left and continue, after passing through the Gamboa bridge (it is the only one), take the road to the right and a few meters away you will find the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve checkpoint.

At the Tour Desk there is an area to park.

Although Gamboa street says that they can drive 80km, I recommend going 60km or less.

That street is in Soberanía National Park and it is very easy to see sloths and ñeques crossing the street.

These animals are easy to see between the Centennial Bridge and Gamboa.

Other places you may like

• Knowing the Sloth Sanctuary
• Exciting Visit to Monkeys Island and Pipeline Trail in Gamboa
• Plantación Trail in Soberanía National Park
• Ancón Hill, Tropical Humid Forest and Viewpoint of Panama City
• My Hike Through Hanging Bridges

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Find the best tours and experience the best of Panama with Panamazing. Tel: + 507 3409875.

A contrast with the wonders of nature.

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Welcome to Tree Trek Gamboa

Tree Trek Gamboa is the new tourist option near Panama City. Dedicated to all nature and adventure lovers of all ages. We are located in Gamboa, Province of Colon. Located in the old Panama Canal Zone, it rests on the corner where the Gatun Lake meets the Chagres River.

The Tree Trek is a thrilling adventure that allows visitors to soar at treetop level through a series of cables, enjoying the wonders of nature from an incredible (and completely safe) vantage point. Come and visit us so you can feel first hand all the adrenaline that awaits you!

Because we believe in the conservation of nature and this premise being the heart of our offer, while you enjoy the best fun alone or sharing with friends, family and colleagues you will be contributing with our awareness program about the importance of the conservation of our forests.

Experience the fun, adrenaline and adventure all in this exciting trip. We are sure you will not be disappointed!

Glide through the treetops of the rainforest and admire the most incredible collection of natural landscapes bordering the Panama Canal and Soberania National Park.

Zip line Tour

Enjoy a different view of the Panama Canal and the Chagres River over 1.4 kilometers of extension divided into 10 cables and 13 platforms. As you glide through the trees you will be confronted with an unknown world… and a fascinating perspective of life that you never thought would exist for you.

1.4 km circuit – 10 lines and 13 platforms

The trees that support the cable system were selected among the tallest, strongest and most resistant, which allows it to be between 2 and 35 meters above the ground in an adventure designed for adults and children.

Send us a message and a member of our staff will be in touch with you.

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Fishing Tour

In the native language, Panama means "abundance of fish and butterflies", so you won't want to miss the opportunity to fish in its waters.

The Gamboa Tarpon Club, strategically located at the point where the Chagres River connects with Gatun Lake, is renowned for organizing fishing expeditions tailored to the Panama Canal, allowing you to choose between quiet spots in the middle of the rainforest and sectors where you can see giant ships passing through the waterway. This lush area is home to species such as bream, tarpon, largemouth bass, among others.

Information

This tour includes Rigging, bait, rods, snacks and soft drinks.

Duration : 3 or 6 hours.

Difficulty level : easy to moderate

What to bring: sunscreen, hat, camera

By reservation only

Tour purchase.

Tours can be purchased at TourDesk