Top 9 nature & wildlife things to do in Gamboa

1. Ecotour of Gatun Lake and an Indigenous Village visit

Private boat tour through Gatun Lake, observing wildlife and visiting an Indigenous village, led by an experienced guide with 21 years of expertise.

2. Gamboa Rainforest adventure: hiking, boat tour, and ziplining

Half-day tour with hiking and a boat expedition in Gamboa Rainforest, including an optional zipline activity, depending on weather conditions.

“Mike was an outstanding guide. Throughout the hike, he skillfully identified various animals by their calls and ensured that the riverboat trip allowed us to see plenty of wildlife.”— TannerChappel

3. Panama Isthmus tour — Gatun Lake and Aguas Claras Locks

Full-day tour from Gamboa — explore Gatun Lake, visit Aguas Claras Locks, and experience the Panamanian rainforest.

“This experience is a must when in Panama. Observing the ships transit through the locks was amazing, and the scenic views throughout the journey were breathtaking. The guides were very friendly and informed, adding both fun and educational value to the trip. I highly recommend it.”— Maps31390494167

4. Private tour of Agua Clara and Gatun Locks on the Panama Canal

Three-hour private tour — visit the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center for views of Neo-Panamax ships and Gatun Lake with a certified guide.

“The information provided was excellent. The guide effectively aligns the timing of lock visits with the arrival of large ships. The program can be tailored to some extent based on preferences.”— Sylvia_H

5. Night hike in Soberania National Park from Panama City

Three-hour guided hike beginning at 6:30 PM — explore the sounds of the rainforest after dark, plus scenic views of the Panama Canal at night.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my night tour with Jose. We encountered three types of frogs, two opossums, an armadillo, a rabbit, and a variety of insects, including fascinating spiders. Jose arrived punctually and was very personable. I strongly recommend this tour.”— FettSolo

6. Monkey watching and nature walk in Gamboa

Four hours including transport — boat ride on Gatun Lake, easy nature walk in Gamboa rainforest, led by an English-speaking naturalist guide.

“This tour offers an excellent opportunity to explore Panama's ecological landscape. If you're a nature enthusiast eager to see wildlife and plants while avoiding stereotypical tourist experiences, this is the ideal choice. Our guide, Juan, was both knowledgeable and insightful throughout the day, and the small group setting enhanced the experience. Juan collected us from our hotel at a convenient time, and we traveled a short distance to Gambia, where we learned about local wildlife and observed several animals. We also enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant away from the tourist spots. It was truly a wonderful experience.”— Sheetal_G

7. Kayaking on the Chagres River near Gamboa

One hour and twenty minutes of kayaking on the Chagres River with a bilingual guide — spot local wildlife and enjoy a short hike to a historic Embera port.

“Christian, our tour guide, arrived at our hotel punctually and was extremely knowledgeable about the local area, animals, and birds. He was friendly and easy to converse with. The weather was beautiful, and he proactively advised us to apply sunscreen and stay hydrated. Overall, the experience was truly worthwhile, and the adventure certainly does not disappoint.”— V6793YYconnier

8. Hiking tour in Soberania National Park from Gamboa

Half-day guided hike through Soberania National Park, exploring the rainforest and wildlife with a bilingual guide.

“The experience in the jungle near Panama City was outstanding, with plenty of wildlife and an exceptional guide who was very knowledgeable.”— 229padraicf

9. Private tour of Miraflores Locks, Sloth Sanctuary and Gamboa rainforest

Seven hours, private transport — visit Miraflores Locks, a Sloth Sanctuary, and zip line through Gamboa Rainforest with an experienced guide.

“Jose, our guide, was knowledgeable, punctual, and a good communicator. He arranged our tickets in advance, which was efficient, and he was also a competent driver. However, the overall experience didn't justify the cost and the promotional material was misleading, as we expected a private tour. The Panama Canal was certainly interesting, but having a guide felt unnecessary since we were with the larger crowd, and we ended up with a poor viewing position. Despite arriving early, we missed out on the best spot and had to rush to the IMAX movie, which wasn’t needed as all seats were good. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but we felt rushed and didn't enjoy it fully. The sloth sanctuary was disappointing—we waited for a big group, and the tour was underwhelming with minimal interaction and just a few sleeping sloths. Zip lining was fun, but we had to wait for other large groups as well, making the guide's presence less essential since there were lockers available. Overall, this "private" tour didn't meet our expectations, and we could have saved money doing it independently.”— HLG305