Gamboa Rainforest Resort

So, Mrs. World Traveler and I took off for a week in Panama to hang out at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. While we spent some time in Panama City as well the resort also offered enough activities and tours to fill our schedule. Here’s a review of the resort and I’ll post about Panama City later.

Food
Gamboa Resort has three on location restaurants. The Corotu Restaurant is the resorts main restaurant and is open longer than the other. They offer a fantastic breakfast and lunch buffet as well as a fine dinner menu of international cuisine. World Traveler Ranking: 4 Stars!

One of the views while dining at Los Lagartos Restaurant.

The Los Lagartos Restaurant offers possibly the best atmosphere of all three restaurants (there really isn’t a bad dining atmosphere at the resort) but the food isn’t near the same quality of the Corotu. Located where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal the Lagartos allows you to see the beauty of the Panamanian rainforest, the wildlife on the water and the container ships that traverse the canal while dining. World Traveler Ranking: 3 Stars!

The Chagres River View Restaurant offers a fine dining experience for those who enjoy coat and tie, reservation only restaurants. It is obviously the most expensive of the three restaurant options and the menu is more limited. World Traveler Ranking: 3 Stars!

Rooms

View of our balcony.

We stayed in a Deluxe River View Room which was more than spacious for the two of us. It offered a small couch, king sized bed, desk and balcony with a hammock overlooking the Chagres River. Many places in Panama are very noisy but the Gamboa Resort only has the background noise of the tropical rainforest. Only a more comfortable bed could have made it a better experience. World Traveler Ranking: 4 Stars!

Tours & Excursions

View From The Observation Tower: The Chagres River meets the Panama Canal with the Gamboa Rainforest Resort just off the bank.

The Gondola Tram Ride through the rainforest canopy offers some of the most breathtaking sights you’ll ever see. The two and a half hour tour carries you over the trees and wildlife of the rainforest and includes an observation tower that overlooks the canal, the Chagres River and the rainforest. There is a price per person for this tour but it is well worth it. World Traveler Ranking: 5 Stars!

The Walking Tour through the rainforest is an hour that you won’t forget. Make sure to wear long pants as you leave the paved road for a dirt trail that meanders through the forest. During this tour you’ll see the foliage and vegetation of the rainforest up-close and if you’re lucky you’ll spot a monkey or other wildlife. This is a free tour offered by the resort. World Traveler Ranking: 5 Stars!

The Monkey Island Excursion takes you from the Chagres River Delta into the Panama Canal to an island where capuchin monkeys jump to the boat for a piece of fruit. If the boat captain is in a good mood he’ll let you drive in the canal for a little while. There is a cost for this tour but again worth it. World Traveler Ranking: 5 Stars!

Monkey Island

Bicycling around Gamboa is an excursion that allows you to see the rainforest, resort and town itself at your own pace. Just grab a map and a bike and you are off. Be aware though there are some serious hills! This is a free excursion and could be physically strenuous. World Traveler Ranking: 3 Stars!

Want to see a croc or caiman up close? Take the Nocturnal Boat Safari!

The Nocturnal Boat Safari takes you out on the Chagres river an night to get a glance of the rainforest’s nightlife. Crocodiles, caiman and the two-toed sloth are just a few of the possibilities of what you could see. There is a price per person for this excursion but…well you know. World Traveler Ranking: 5 Stars!

Book your trip to Panama here!