Description
Rainforest Boat Tour & Jungle Nature Walk Experience
The Rainforest boat tour will start in the famous Chagres River, just 45 minutes from Panama City. On this tour a certificated nature tour guide will help you to spot wildlife, and provide you with information about the animals that you will see, the area, and its history. On the boat ride you will enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest, mountains, and the tranquil beauty of Gatun lake. You will also, of course, have the opportunity to see the giant ships crossing the Panama Canal next to you. At the same time your tour guide and boat captain will be looking for wildlife to point out to you. At the Gatun Lake area, it is very common to see different species of monkeys in their natural habitat, as well as birds like herons, raptors, rails, and toucans. You may also spot a sloth!
To complement this great jungle experience, after the boat tour (2 hours), your guide will lead you on a walk through the rainforest for the rest of the morning. This is another chance to observe different wildlife on the ground and stretch your legs. The walk takes place on one of the most famous places to see wildlife in Central Panama, Pipeline Road. This magic and tranquil destination is home to 50% of all the bird and mammal species found in Panama. During the walk, your tour guide will provide you with an explanation about the different interactions that take place in the rainforest ecosystem.
GROUP TOUR
$110.00
per person
Our group tours average 4–6 people. Smaller groups make wildlife observation easier and the overall experience more enjoyable compared to larger groups.
PRIVATE TOUR
$125.00
per person
Tailor this experience to your preferences, whether it’s focusing on specific interests like wildlife photography, birdwatching, or simply enjoying a leisurely Nature Walk.
Photo Gallery & Tour Highlights
General Details:
- Location: Gatun Lake & Soberania National Park
- Start/End Point: Your hotel or Airbnb in Panama City (center)
- Pick-up Time: Between 6:05 a.m. and 6:35 a.m.
- Tour Ends: Between 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Duration: Approximately 6 hours
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trail Type: Mostly flat dirt path
- Group Size: Small group (minimum 2, maximum 6 participants)
- Guide: Led by an experienced naturalist guide
- Tour Category: Outdoor & Wildlife Observation
What is included?
- Hotel pick-up & drop-off
- Comfortable land and aquatic transportation
- 2-hour boat ride on Gatun Lake for wildlife observation
- Entrance fees to Soberanía National Park
- 2-hour guided rainforest nature walk
- Bilingual naturalist guide (Spanish & English)
- Refreshments (tropical fruits)
- Private land and aquatic transportation (available only for private tour option)
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Prices shown are in USD, per person, and based on a minimum of 2 people.
- Tour details may change due to severe rain, river conditions, or unforeseen events.
- Prices shown apply for participants 12 and up. Children from 5-11 receve a 50% discount.
- We Do Not Feed Monkeys: Please note that on this tour, we focus on observing and learning about the behavior of animals in their natural habitat, without feeding monkeys or other wildlife. As a responsible tour operator, we are dedicated to preserving Panama’s ecosystems. Thank you for joining us in supporting ethical wildlife experiences.
- Before booking, please make sure to read and understand our cancellation policy.
What to bring?
- Long pants and comfortable walking shoes
- Insect repellent, hat, and sunscreen
- Additional snacks & bottle of water
- Binoculars (recommended)
- Camera
- Light rain jacket or poncho (rainy season: May–December)
Is this experience for me?
This tour is for those who want to explore and learn about Panama’s rich nature and biodiversity. Led by a certified nature guide, you’ll receive interpretative information about wildlife, animal behavior, and the fascinating interactions that take place in the rainforest.
Please note that we limit our group size to a maximum of 6 people to ensure a high-quality, personalized rainforest experience that sets us apart from other companies. Small groups are essential for an enjoyable experience, allow our guests to interact more with our tour leaders, create less noise on the trails, and are better for spotting elusive birds and wildlife during the hike. For us, the quality of the experience matters more than the number of people on our tours. We recommend booking your experience in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
On this tour, you will have the chance to see some of the rainforest’s most iconic wildlife, including different species of monkeys, sloths, and a great variety of tropical birds. On average, guests spot around 7 to 9 species of mammals, about 5 species of reptiles, and close to 30 bird species such as toucans, kingfishers, trogons, and many others. Every trip is a new adventure, and the diversity of wildlife often surprises our guests.
Absolutely, no experience is needed to enjoy the visit. The tour offers an educational experience for participants of all experience levels. Our naturalist guides will help you spot wildlife and provide interesting details about what you see.
The walk along the trails is relatively flat with easy terrain. The pace is slow because the main goal is to spot wildlife, so it’s not a fast hike. Participants will be walking in tropical weather, which is usually humid and warm. Because of this, we recommend staying hydrated.
For group tours, For group tours, the pick-up time is scheduled between 6:10 am and 6:35 am, to ensure an efficient pick-up for all participants.
For private tours, the starting time is more flexible, and it’s possible to begin later in the morning if needed. However, we highly recommend starting early, as this is the best time of day to see wildlife. Early hours increase the chances of spotting a greater variety of animals, and the temperature is still cool and comfortable for walking.
Yes, the price covers all entrance fees and activities listed in the description, including the boat ride and any other mentioned activities, with no additional costs.
Yes! When you book the Rainforest Boat Tour & Jungle Walk together with the Panama City & Canal (Group) Tour, you’ll receive a 20% discount on the Panama City & Canal Tour.
This is a great way to experience Panama’s incredible wildlife and also explore its history and culture. You can join the Panama City & Canal Group Tour on the same day in the afternoon, right after the Rainforest Boat Tour & Jungle Walk, or choose a separate date, whichever works best for your schedule. Spots are limited, so we recommend reserving early to secure your discount.
To book both tours: simply fill out the booking form for the Rainforest Boat Tour & Jungle Walk and, in the comments section, request the Panama City & Canal Group Tour with the 20% discount. We’ll apply the discount automatically.
We provide fresh tropical fruits and water to keep you energized. Feel free to bring extra water and snacks. Breakfast is not included, so we recommend bringing a light breakfast to eat on the way or during the boat ride.
Definitely! If you plan to continue exploring Panama City after the tour, your guide can drop you off at no additional cost to any of the following locations: Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, Casco Viejo (old town), Biomuseo, Ancon Hill, Amador Causeway, Cinta Costera, Albrook Mall, Metropolitan Park, or back at your hotel.
Cancel 48 hours before for a full refund. Flexible rescheduling options available to suit your plans, please check our terms and conditions before booking.
Insights About This Experience with us
GATUN LAKE AND SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK BIODIVERSITY
The combination of different habitats that we will be visiting allows travelers to watch a great diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles and scenery in one single morning. This tour typically averages 4 to 8 species of mammals. Some of the most common sightings include White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys, Mantled Howler Monkeys, Geoffroy’s Tamarin Monkeys, Central American Agoutis, White-Nosed Coatis, Brown-throated Three-toed Sloths, and Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloths. Sometimes, we also come across Northern Tamanduas, Collared Peccaries, Capybaras, and other less common species like Jaguarundis and ocelots. We average about 30 different species of birds in the morning. Some of the most common birds that we come across are Toucans, Motmots, Trogons, flycatcher, Jacanas and kites. We also average 3 – 5 species of amphibians like American Crocodile, Green Iguana, Spine Tailed Iguana, Common basilisk and Spectacled Caiman.
WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS WITH EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDES
Our guides frequently visit the park and its trails, so they are very familiar with the area, as well as the calls of birds and sounds of mammals. For a unique experience, most of our guides use a first-class spotting scope that will give you the opportunity for a close-up view and the chance to capture photos of birds and mammals through the scope.
As a responsible and ethical wildlife company, our guides have a commitment to our local wildlife. Don’t expect our guides disturbing or feeding monkeys or any other animals during our tours.
Information to book this tour:
Please fill out the form below with your booking request. Payment is not requested until we verify availability for the dates that you are requesting, and also review any special request that you might have. By booking with us you are accepting our Terms & Conditions. If you have any question of how booking works, please see our Frequently Asked Questions for booking, and our 3 easy steps to book with us.
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