Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Summit is also a popular picnic spot so be aware that during weekends and school holidays
your ears are more likely to be greeted by reggaeton than birdsong.
< Back to The Panama Canal and central isthmus
Gamboa
Surrounded by the luxuriant vegetation of the Parque Nacional Soberanía and bordered by
the impressive Río Chagres and Lago Gatún, into which the river spills, you would expect
GAMBOA to be a thriving tourist destination. Yet despite being the portal to a variety of
attractions on and off the water, the sleepy former Canal Zone town has yet to be revital-
ized by the tourist traffic, partly since most visitors tend to make day-trips out from Panama
City. For nature lovers and birding enthusiasts in particular, Gamboa provides access to the
legendary Camino del Oleoducto and the adjacent Rainforest Discovery Centre. It is also the
departure point for excursions to the scientific research station on Isla Barro Colorado , for
boats offering Pacific-bound partial canal transits, fishing trips or wildlife viewing on Lago
Gatún , and for cultural excursions to indigenous Emberá communities upriver. The town is
easily accessed by bus and though some activities need organizing in advance, others can be
arranged on the spot.
The most noticeable activity in town takes place on weekdays on the lake shore, where the
canal dredging division is located. Otherwise, there's little to do in the town except soak up
the tranquil yesteryear feel, taking in the attractive (and often empty) canal-era architecture,
indulging in a little birdwatching around the wooded fringes, or strolling along the Chagres,
looking out for iguanas and turtles sunning themselves along the riverbanks, and marvelling
at the constant procession of container ships. Alternatively the Gamboa Rainforest Resort (
gamboaresort.com ) hosts a range of activities.
Brief history
Isolated Gamboa - its only road access via an old single-track bridge shared with the Panama
Railroad - has never been a major scene of activity. Built in 1911 as a settlement for around
seven hundred “silver roll” employees and families (see The canal ) , its population did not in-
crease significantly until the canal's dredging division relocated there from Paraíso in 1936.
By 1942, Gamboa's residents exceeded 3,800, much more than the current population, and
the community could boast a cinema and golf course. But once the Panama Canal Authority
started to transfer operations to Panama City following the 1977 treaties, services began to
close and the town dwindled, although the golf course has recently been upgraded (
sum-
mitgolfpanama.com ) .
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: GAMBOA
By bus Gamboa is a 50min bus ride from Panama City. Buses make regular daily departures
(5am, 5.45am, 6.30am - 6am on weekends - 8am, 10am, noon, 2pm, 4.30pm, 6.30pm, 9pm;
Mon-Fri also 1pm & 3pm) from the very far end of the Albrook terminal (by Niko's Café ).
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search