Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
After crossing the bridge into Gamboa, the bus circles the tree-filled park, where you alight
for the Sendero del Oleoducto or Rainforest Discovery Centre, before it heads up towards
the
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
, where it turns, taking the same route back. Catch it back to
Panama City outside the entrance to the dredging division, at the park corner.
By taxi
A taxi from Panama City costs around $35 (30min).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
During the week, inexpensive meals are available from the
fondas
opposite the canal's
dredging division, which close after feeding lunch to the workers. Otherwise there is a hard-
to-locate - so ask - small
shop
at the back of some houses on the way to the Sendero del
Oleoducto, or bring a
picnic
.
Canopy B&B
114a Jadwin Ave 883 5929,
canopytower.com
.
This beautifully restored
two-storey canal-era house provides five tastefully decorated airy rooms with a/c, fan, wi-fi
and private bathrooms. Also with comfortable common areas and red
uctio
ns on day-passes
to the
Canopy Tower
.
A set dinner can be pre-ordered for $24/person.
$154
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
314 5000,
gamboaresort.com
.
The best bet for a bite to eat,
though you'll be paying elevated tourist prices, and the quality of food and service is vari-
able. A lunchtime buffet is available at the main
Corotú
restaurant, while snacks and cocktails
are served at the
Monkey Bar
terrace, a splendid breezy spot with fabulous views across the
Chagres, and the riverside
Los Lagartos
offers superlative opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Corotú: daily 6.30am-10.30pm; Monkey Bar: Tues-Sun 11.30am-5pm.
Ivan's Bed & Breakfast
111 Jadwin Ave, Gamboa 314 9436,
gamboaecotours.com
.
Tucked away in a delightful old wooden canal house, this friendly establishment run by
Gladys and Ivan Ortíz is aimed primarily at birdwatchers, comprising four simply furnished
but comfortable en-suite rooms with fans and hot water. Continental breakfast is included,
with other meals provided on reques
t. Iva
n leads local birding tours and can help organize
other excursions. Breakfast included.
$100
Mateo's Bed & Breakfast
C Humberto Zárate 131a 6690 9664,
gamboabedandbreak-
dows and two single beds (cold water only). Surrounded by tropical vegetation and a well-
tended garden, there is plenty of space to indulge in armchair or hammock birdw
atc
hing. Ex-
cellent value, with breakfast included. Use of kitchen or other meals on request.
$35
Lago Gatún
Following the damming of the Río Chagres in 1910, the waters took three years to rise, cul-
minating in the formation of
LAGO GATÚN
, the largest artificial lake in the world at the
time, covering 425 square kilometres - roughly the size of Barbados. The lake now provides
