Panama Canal tours with travel recommendations

Gamboa tours with travel tips? Explore rowing on a kayak the beautiful Chagres River before it merges at the Gatun lake where the huge vessels and boats transit from Ocean to Ocean. The Chagres river is the main tributary of water of the Canal. A quite waterway, enjoying the sound of the wild life of this dense tropical forest. You might get the opportunity to see a sloth in a tree, a colorful bird peacefully living in the jungle or at the top the water plants, caimans, turtles among many others species of the local fauna. After a short hike to the small port used by the Embera indigenous at Gamboa, the tour last about 1 hour and 20 minutes (in the kayak) always accompanied by our bilingual guide and probably also by an Embera guide from the area who knows the place better than anyone.

Xel-Ha is an eco-park located about 20 minutes north of Tulum and is part of the Grupo Xcaret family, which also includes Xcaret, Xplor, Xenotes, Xoximilco, Xenses and Xavage. Swim or snorkel in the “largest natural aquarium in the world” and flooded caves and cenotes filled with marine life, jump off the Cliff of Courage, explore Mayan ruins, ride bikes, hike through the jungle, zip-line, cross the floating bridge, fly a kite or, if you prefer, just relax in a hammock. Xel-Ha also offers a 30m- (98ft)-high water slide, a kids’ area called Children’s World and a buffet restaurant.

The Pacific Coast of Mexico has been a great place for sport fishing and certainly in San Blas you can live a great adventure and find a variety of fish such as Dorado, Sailfish and Marlin, as well as Mojarra, Pargo, Sierra and Snook, depending on the season. Be sure to visit the famous International Tournament Sailfish, Marlin and Dorado which is held every year during the months of May and June.

At Tao Travel 365 we strongly believe in eco-friendly travel and strive to support the environment as well as the local population where we conduct our tours. Read more on our philosophies in About Us. In line with our eco-friendly travel philosophy we only offer tours in exotic locations, away from mass-tourism and the immense carbon footprint. We are nature enthusiasts and enjoy breathing clean air, swimming in unpolluted waters and observing healthy wildlife in its original setting. We have greatly enjoyed all the adventures we are offering and are excited to share them with you. Find extra info on Panama Canal travel tours. If you want to save money you can visit Monkey Island without a tour from Panama City. I had a friend who went with a group and it cost $40 USD per person for the boat ride and taxi there and back. To do so, get a taxi or Uber to Gamboa Marina. You’ll need your taxi driver to wait for you as it’s hard to get a taxi back to the city from here. If you don’t speak Spanish then you’ll struggle with negotiations, but expect to pay around $30 USD per person for a 30-minute tour (depending on group size.) When I mentioned before that doing a tour through Casco Viejo was a must, some people most likely weren’t that excited. I get it, city tours can be boring especially if you’re not into history – that’s where this next tour comes I handy! This food and drink tour through Panama City is a great option for those who find traditional walking tours a little boring. Instead of just talking about Panama City’s history, you’ll also visit some of the best places in Panama City to eat and drink. We sampled craft beer, enjoyed Panamanian coffee and chocolate, and even indulged in some ceviche at a local seafood market. The tour will have you learning, eating, and drinking your way through the most beautiful part of Panama City, and the best part is that you won’t leave hungry! The tour lasts for 2 hours, so it’s short and sweet. In my opinion, if you plan on doing this tour, do it when you first arrive! This way you can revisit the places on the tour as they are amazing!

One of Panama’s top surf destinations is Santa Catalina, on the Pacific Coast. This small but growing town has a laid-back surfer feeling about it. Small guesthouses and hotels, and funky restaurants, force you to slow down and relax. If you aren’t here to surf, great snorkeling and scuba diving spots are nearby, and horseback tours through the surrounding countryside are good options for those not interested in getting wet. One of Santa Catalina’s main draws is Isla Coiba. This lush island, now Coiba National Park, is almost untouched and is considered a biodiversity hot spot, with close to 200 bird species, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes. The scuba diving here is very popular due to the enormous whale sharks that frequent the area. These gentle giants are curious creatures and enjoy interacting with divers. Tours to Isla Coiba can be arranged in Santa Catalina. One of the most fun things to do near Boquete is visiting the local swimming hole at Los Cangilones. Set at a lower elevation than Boquete, the climate here is much warmer, and on hot days you’ll find a fun scene, complete with music, barbecues, food vendors, and Panamanians from far and wide splashing and jumping off the gorge edges into the crystal-clear, warm waters below. In this unique geological place, the river narrows into a gorge before opening up again in a shallow pool at the bottom. Daring adults and older kids jump off the edges into the slowly moving waters and then float down to the bottom, climb out, and do it all over again. Youngsters and visitors who are looking for something a little milder can wade into the shallow waters where the gorge opens up. The walls vary in height, so it depends on how brave you are and how high you want to go. This is very much a family destination.

Your San Blas adventure starts early in the morning. A friendly driver will meet you at your Panama City lodging between 5:15am and 5:45am and safely transport you and up to five other guests to the Port of Carti. Relax and start enjoying during the 2.5-3 hour journey through the spectacular jungle highlands. Oftentimes we encounter wildlife, such as monkeys and sloths on the road and will gladly stop the car to give you opportunities to admire these beautiful animals and to take photos. Our drivers will also stop at a grocery store in case you want to purchase any items, such as snacks, water or fruit. When arriving at the port your “lancha” boat and San Blas trip tour guide will be waiting for you, ready to commence the San Blas tour. The 30-minute boat ride to the first island may be a little bumpy and, depending on ocean conditions, there may be some ocean spray. All of our boats have ample space and feature sun protection that will make this journey more comfortable. Few attractions include Playa Las Lajas is a beautiful beach that extends for more than 13 km (8 miles) along the Gulf of Chiriqui on the Pacific Coast. With little current and perfect water temperatures, Las Lajas is ideal for swimming and bodysurfing. Rustic shacks and cheap restaurants are clustered on the beach at the end of the road. For now it remains a hidden treasure still undiscovered by the large hotel chains and hordes of tourists.