Description
The Gamboa Rainforest Tour highlights the birds, flora and fauna of the Soberania National Park. Drive for 40 minutes from your hotel in Panama City to reach the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center. The main attraction of this place is its observation tower that has a spiral staircase of 174 steps which has observation platforms every eight meters until reaching the top at 32 meters, which is just above the forest canopy.
The visitor center is ecologically built with 70% recycled material from the old Canal Zone construction. It has solar panels and rainwater collectors. Eat breakfast or have a cup of coffee or tea while you watch different species of hummingbirds feeding.
There is some light hiking included in the Gamboa Rainforest Tour. The trail is 1.1 kilometers long with gravel. There are two resting areas, one by the edge of Calamito lake which has benches for those who want to observe water wildlife.
Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is managed by the Eugene Eisenmann Avifauna Foundation which aims to conserve birds through environmental sustainability. Gamboa and the Pipeline Road are one of the best places for bird watching in Panama. It is possible to see 240 species of birds regularly. However, Audubon Society counted 385 in a 24 hour period which is a record number. It is also possible to see butterflies, monkeys, sloths, coatis, agutis, and crocodiles in their natural environment.
Includes:
- Transfer from Panama City and Return
- Entrance to Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
- Snacks
- Tea, coffee, water or soft drinks
- Guide
- Taxes
Available: year round.
Time: 4 hours.
What to bring? Comfortable shoes, fresh clothes, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, camera and binoculars (optional).
Important information: the Gamboa Rainforest Tour requires a minimum of 2 passengers. This tour is offered regularly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Child price is from 6 to 12 years of age. Children under 6 have no cost.
Other tours in Gamboa: