Gamboa Rainforest Panama
Immerse yourself in Panama's vibrant rainforest, spotting wildlife and enjoying canopy views at this serene jungle resort.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more tranquility
Gamboa Rainforest Panama
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more tranquility
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Immerse yourself in Panama's vibrant rainforest, spotting wildlife and enjoying canopy views at this serene jungle resort.
"Gamboa nature & wildlife is the best. We escaped from the rain in Boquete (&no wildlife) , to the ‘hot jungle’ & lots of wildlife!!!"
🚗 Car Rental Recommended
Having your own car offers flexibility for exploring the reserve and surrounding areas.
🦟 Pack Insect Repellent
Essential for comfortable exploration in the humid rainforest environment.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Monkey Island Adventure
Soberania National Park
Encounter capuchin monkeys and other primates up close on a boat tour to Monkey Island.
Aerial Tram Ride
Gamboa Rainforest Reserve
Glide through the rainforest canopy for breathtaking views and a unique perspective on the ecosystem.
Wildlife Spotting
Throughout the reserve
Keep an eye out for sloths, toucans, iguanas, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Wildlife, Plan Your Pace
Getting Around Gamboa
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visiting Panama City and Gamboa Resort
🚗 Car Rental Recommended
Having your own car offers flexibility for exploring the reserve and surrounding areas.
🦟 Pack Insect Repellent
Essential for comfortable exploration in the humid rainforest environment.
How to get to Gamboa Rainforest
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking on trails, so sturdy footwear is a must.
📅 Book Weekdays for Peace
Weekends can be very crowded with families; weekdays offer a more serene experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Car Rental Recommended
Having your own car offers flexibility for exploring the reserve and surrounding areas.
🦟 Pack Insect Repellent
Essential for comfortable exploration in the humid rainforest environment.
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking on trails, so sturdy footwear is a must.
📅 Book Weekdays for Peace
Weekends can be very crowded with families; weekdays offer a more serene experience.
🛶 Canal Boat Tour
Consider booking a boat tour on the canal independently for great wildlife viewing.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Gamboa Rainforest offers a truly immersive nature experience with abundant wildlife, particularly monkeys and birds. While the resort's accommodations and service can be inconsistent, the natural beauty and unique activities like the aerial tram and boat tours are consistently praised. Visitors recommend weekdays for a more peaceful visit and suggest independent booking for canal tours.
"Must do !!!! Amazing!!!!!
Gamboa nature & wildlife is the best. We escaped from the rain in Boquete (&no wildlife) , to the ‘hot jungle’ & lots of wildlife!!!
The hotel is ‘older’ very loud AC. But the experience is amazing. Make sure you have a car and wander around in the jungle. Just park and walk, lots to see…… walk slow - many moneys / birds and other species.
The ‘snack menu’ is ok-ish. The buffet in the weekend is very extensive - (but very crowded lots of families).
We bought a mealplan (only 1 day), weekdays- breakfast / lunch buffet. Dinner a la carte. Lunch buffet was AMAZING - lots of veggiee I LOVE! The dinner a la carte was kinda dissapointment, we also expected ‘a buffet’.
Very good pizza tree-house, in Google maps. Make a reservation by Whatsapp, they also deliver.
Really amazing spot, Gamboa!!! We did 3 nights, could have stayed longer.
Add it to your (road) trip!!! We didnt book any trips @ the hotel, just experienced everything together. Great app is ‘all trails’ with lots of hikes’.
We did booked a boat trip - on the canal, NOT @ the resort. But you can find it at the Marina OR google - 2h / 50pp. He called Puma, he showed us lots of Wildlife.
If you like peace - dont go to the resort in the weekend!!!! Lots of Wildlife around the resort as well! Make sure you do the ‘free night excursion’
Hotel view 5*
Wildlife 5*
Service 3*
Location 5*
Rooms 3*
Maintenence 2*
Gamboa 10*"
Madelaine van der Vorst
"Pros: the hotel is large, with a swimming pool, integrated into nature, spacious rooms with comfortable beds, balconies overlooking the mountains and hammocks, friendly staff, and pleasant meals.
Cons: on one of the days we were informed that the water supply would be cut between 10 pm and 4 am. We adjusted our routines accordingly, but in the end, the lack of such an essential resource had a real impact on us. When we raised the issue, the manager dismissed our concerns, acted with disdain, and refused to make any adjustment to the final price. I filed a complaint with Booking, which eventually solved the problem.
I would not return to this hotel due to the manager’s lack of consideration—she was rude and unfriendly."
Fábio Leite Costa
"Stayed here for one night as part of our honeymoon and one night was enough. First I’d emailed asking for a special request and some questions which they never responded to. I’d booked our stay with a night safari which was cancelled due to the rain - it’s rainy season so that’s a given. But when I’d asked if we could schedule a different tour for the following day or if there was any other options the lady at the desk just said no there’s nothing they can do.
Also, we kept getting pestered by the staff asking if we’re actually staying here and what our room number was - because we look too young to be here?? Even though we are both in our mid twenties. No one else was asked so it made us feel unwelcome - and this happened on multiple, separate occasions during the stay including when we were literally leaving!
Finally, we decided to have all our meals at the Monkey Bar, the first evening was nice. But then for lunch the next day we’d asked for alcoholic daiquiris and were brought non alcoholic ones. Both my partner and I run multiple bars so we know the difference, plus we had exactly the same drinks the night before and they were clearly different. The waitress then tried to say there was alcohol in them, then proceeded to take the drinks away offering new ones, to return with our exact same drinks with no added alcohol. We decided to just leave the matter but the same waitress came back and asked if it was fine, to which I gave up and said yes, to which she laughed at then walked away. Giving up we just ended up ordering drinks from a different waiter.
The location is nice, the view is beautiful but we are put off coming back here again."
Sofia Sebaratnam
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most convenient way to reach Gamboa Rainforest is by car, either your own or a rental. Taxis and Ubers are also options, though availability for return trips from Gamboa might be limited. Some visitors opt for organized tours that include transportation from Panama City.
While you can request an Uber from Gamboa, it's not always guaranteed to be readily available. It's advisable to have a backup plan or arrange your return transport in advance, especially if you're not staying at the resort.
Public transportation directly to Gamboa Rainforest Resort is limited. Most visitors rely on private transport, taxis, or organized tours for easier access.
The drive from Panama City to Gamboa Rainforest is approximately 30-40 kilometers (18-25 miles) and typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
Some hotels in Panama City offer shuttle services to Gamboa, or you can arrange private transfers. It's best to inquire with your accommodation or tour operators.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While not always mandatory, booking tours and activities in advance is recommended, especially during peak season or for specific excursions like the aerial tram or boat tours, to secure your spot.
The Gamboa Rainforest Reserve generally operates during daylight hours, with specific times for attractions like the aerial tram and discovery center. It's best to check their official website for the most up-to-date hours.
Yes, there are various options including day passes, guided tour packages, and individual attraction tickets for the aerial tram, discovery center, and boat tours.
Access to the general areas of the reserve might be free, but specific attractions and guided tours within the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve typically require separate tickets or booking fees.
Tickets for most attractions and tours can be purchased on-site, but booking ahead online is often advised to avoid disappointment, especially for popular activities.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Key activities include the aerial tram ride through the canopy, a boat tour to Monkey Island, visiting the Discovery Center, and guided nature walks to spot wildlife like sloths and toucans.
Absolutely! Gamboa Rainforest is a prime location for birdwatching, with numerous species of tropical birds, including toucans and parrots, frequently spotted.
Yes, sloths are often seen in the Gamboa Rainforest, particularly during guided tours or boat trips. Patience and a keen eye are rewarded!
Yes, a variety of guided tours are available, including nature walks, night excursions, and boat tours, led by knowledgeable guides who can help you spot wildlife.
The Gamboa Discovery Center offers educational exhibits about the local flora and fauna, interactive displays, and often houses rescued animals, providing a deeper understanding of the rainforest ecosystem.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The resort offers several dining options, including a buffet restaurant (especially busy on weekends), a la carte dining, and a unique treehouse pizza restaurant.
Reviews are mixed. The weekend buffet is extensive and praised by some, while a la carte meals can be disappointing for others. The treehouse pizza is often recommended.
Yes, the buffet often includes a good selection of vegetarian dishes, and some a la carte menus may offer vegetarian choices.
While not explicitly prohibited, it's generally expected that visitors will dine at the resort's facilities. Bringing snacks for personal consumption during hikes is usually fine.
The 'snack menu' at the resort is described as 'ok-ish' by some visitors, suggesting it's suitable for light bites but not a full meal experience.
📸 📸 Photography
The aerial tram offers stunning canopy views, the resort balconies provide scenic overlooks, and any trail or boat trip offers opportunities to capture wildlife.
Wildlife photography can be challenging due to the dense foliage and the animals' natural behavior. A zoom lens is highly recommended for capturing clear shots of birds and distant animals.
A camera with a good zoom lens is essential for wildlife. A wide-angle lens can be useful for landscape shots from the aerial tram or resort balconies.
While dedicated photography tours might not be common, guided nature walks and boat tours can provide excellent opportunities for photographers to capture the rainforest's beauty and wildlife.
Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photography, with softer shadows and often increased wildlife activity.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🌿 Nature Enthusiasts & Birdwatchers
📸 Photographers
For wildlife photography, patience and a telephoto lens are your best friends. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best light conditions. The resort's balconies also offer scenic overlooks for capturing the misty rainforest mornings. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Gamboa: Transport and Logistics
When exploring the reserve, comfortable walking shoes are paramount. The humid climate calls for light, breathable clothing, and always remember to pack insect repellent. For those interested in independent exploration, apps like 'All Trails' can be helpful for navigating various hiking routes within the area.
Wildlife Encounters: What to Expect
Beyond the resort grounds, the entire Gamboa area, including Soberanía National Park, is teeming with life. Keep your eyes peeled for iguanas, coatis, and a dazzling array of insects and amphibians. The 'free night excursion' offered by the resort is also a unique opportunity to witness nocturnal creatures.
The Gamboa Rainforest Resort Experience
Service at the resort can be inconsistent, with some guests reporting friendly staff while others encountered unhelpful or dismissive attitudes, particularly from management.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit