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.

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.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.