Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

3.5 star property

Photo gallery for Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

Aerial view
Lobby sitting area
Lobby
Outdoor banquet area
View from room

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Breakfast available
  • Bar
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry

Explore the area

View map
Corregimiento de Cristobal, IA 5, Colon, Colon
  • Place, Gamboa Rainforest Resort
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
  • Place, Summit Botanical Gardens & Zoo
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Airport, Panama City (PTY-Tocumen Intl.)
    ‪52 min drive‬

Room options

Suite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • River view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Garden View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe Double Room, River View

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(12 reviews)
  • 25 sq m
  • River view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, River View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(10 reviews)
  • 25 sq m
  • River view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Garden View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Family Loft, 1 Bedroom, Lake View

  • 45 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds

Similar properties

About the area

Colon

Located in Colon, Gamboa Rainforest Reserve is on a lake, a 2-minute drive from Chagres River and 11 minutes from Summit Botanical Gardens & Zoo. .This family-friendly hotel is 10.2 mi (16.4 km) from Pedro Miguel Locks and 15.3 mi (24.6 km) from Culebra Cut.

What's nearby

  • Gamboa Rainforest Resort - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Summit Botanical Gardens & Zoo - 15 min drive - 11.3 km
  • Miraflores Locks - 30 min drive - 25.3 km
  • Albrook Shopping Mall - 37 min drive - 33.7 km
  • Culebra Cut - 49 min drive - 27.4 km

Getting around

  • Panama City Passenger Station - 28 min drive
  • Panama City (PAC-Marcos A. Gelabert Intl.) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Monkey Bar - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Restaurante Encanto De Gamboa - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Gamboa Restaurant - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Los Lagartos - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute - ‬3 min drive

About this property

Gamboa Rainforest Reserve

Lakefront hotel with 2 restaurants and a marina
Gamboa Rainforest Reserve offers 166 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature safes and coffee/tea makers. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas. Beds feature Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding. LCD televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks, desk chairs, and phones. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.

An outdoor pool and a children's pool are on site.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 166 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Bathrooms feature showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities including an outdoor pool and bicycles to rent. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and babysitting (surcharge).
Satisfy your appetite at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants. Unwind at the end of the day with a drink at the bar/lounge or the poolside bar. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and multilingual staff. Planning an event in Colon? This hotel has 2756 square feet (256 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and meeting rooms. Guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge, and free self parking is available onsite.
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Gamboa Rainforest Reserve has 2 restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Return airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free extended parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: PAB 18 for adults and PAB 9 for children
  • 2 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • A poolside bar
  • A swim-up bar
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Boat tours
  • Children's pool
  • Fishing
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Kayaking
  • Library
  • Motor boating
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Ziplining

Family friendly

  • Children's pool
  • In-room babysitting
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 2,756 square feet of conference space
  • Business centre
  • Computer station
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • Marina
  • On a lake
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 3 accessible parking spaces
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Handrails in stairways (80 centimetre high)
  • Lift (127 centimetre wide door)
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 3 buildings
  • 7 floors
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1999
  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Egyptian cotton sheets

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Separate sitting area
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of PAB 45 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 26 lbs per pet)
Pets cannot be left unattended
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children, up to the age of 12 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: PAB 100 per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately PAB 18 for adults and PAB 9 for children
  • Pet fee: PAB 45 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Gamboa Rainforest
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Gamboa Resort
Rainforest Resort
Rainforest Resort Gamboa
Resort Rainforest
Gamboa Rain Forest Resort
Gamboa Rainforest Hotel Gamboa
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Hotel
Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Colon
Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Hotel Colon

Reviews

Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Reviews

7.8

Good

8.0/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 223 out of 653 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 241 out of 653 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 116 out of 653 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 38 out of 653 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 35 out of 653 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Jose

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Breakfast buffet is well stocked and has lots of ‘opciones criollas’.We were not impressed with dining options at either restaurant, beyond breakfast.There’s ample opportunity for improvement for the staff, when it comes to interacting with the guests - both at the check-in counter and the activity and excursion desk.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

ELIZABETH, Alexandria

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Alexander, Wesley Chapel

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Front Desk staff Iris (5 star). Money bar area staff mixed some horrible whom don't check on you. No phone in room to call front desk to get more towels (only had 2 for 4 people). The all inclusive food was ok but nothing great. Regarding the outdoor /nature this is always great but hotel is a bit isolated and they don't even have an ATM ..... No icemachines
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Craig

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
If you’re in Panama, you should definitely spend time at Gamboa. Surrounded by every imaginable natural and historical experience possible.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eve

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

9/10 for adventure and views

I am I love with this place. The landscaping and views are phenomenal! Buffet lunch was great! But dinner was lacking. Poolside food was excellent as was the cafe. Hammock on my patio was peaceful. It’s very well kept with some minor issues and a little dated but I strongly recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Radu

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pool is nice. However a bit slow the pool bar. Good food a la carte. Did not try yet buffet. Noisy A/C in the room, although it does the job. Reserved for 3 but room prepared for 2. Room is clean. Overall Good.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tjarda

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful place just outside the city.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christophe

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel with many tours to enjoy the Rainforest
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Tyler

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Upon check-in, we were offered the gamboa package which includes 3 buffet meals per day and 3 tour packages during the stay. After consideration the individual cost of these items- buffet meals, and the 2 tours we wanted to do anyways- we agreed to the cost of the package. However, we were stopped in the lobby and asked if we wanted to continue the package. So rather than the $700 quoted price for the duration of our stay, it only covered 2 nights. This is plain deception and thievery. They sold us on the duration of the stay, and surpised us that it actually was only for our first 2 nights. We left, refusing to patronize the hotel any further, depsite having already had paid for the remainder of our stay. Management refused to rectify the problem their staff caused.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Luis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Uzair

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The property in itself is very nice. The food on the the other hand was bland at best. For the price you pay, dining should be much better.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I had a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Derrick

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Andy

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
The property had unique feel about , amazing opportunity to see and hear an amazing amount of birds. Although a little dated it has charm!!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Benoit

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Alexander

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Rowena

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Brad

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Not 5 star (as posted, at least in Google Maps). The receptionists did not acknowledge us at first, then gave a rude waving of the hand when they were finally ready. The receptionist gave us bad directions to our rooms and gave us no information on what was available at the resort (tours, food, services, etc.). Tour desk was absolutely rude. There were three of them and they never looked up. We asked about the aerial tram and she asked for a name and then expected that to be the end of the conversation. A/c in one room didn’t work well. The rooms are outdated. No information on any services present in the room. We weren’t informed about the complimentary night safari and then when we asked if we could join, we were told that it was full. At least then we were told to show up and see if there are any no shows. There was no evidence of concierge. It was nice that our rooms were next to each other but it was weird that only one of the rooms had a door that locked between the two rooms. One room had a dehumidifier, but not the other. Found a dried contact on the toilet paper.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Rodrigo

O lugar é lindíssimo, paradisíaco, mas parece que a propriedade nao recebe muita manutencao. Na piscina, faltam muitas pastilhas, a grade a volta está quebrada. A estrutura tem potencial muito, muito alto e a natureza é linda, mas é necessario fazer manutencao nos quartos, pintura do edificio e area da piscinA
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing birding

Beautiful hotel and wonderful location for hiking and birding. The swimming pool was immaculate. Food was overpriced, but really good. The resort is rather isolated, so you are paying for convenience. There is a local restaurant in town that is a half mile walk if you want to save.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is such a cool place! It is all about the rainforest and the animals. The hotel is magical looking. You feel like you are in Jurassic Park. The staff was very friendly, the food good and the pool lovely. The hotel is a bit old and the rooms are a bit dated, but very comfortable and large. We went on night safari, saw the sloths, went zip lining and up the cable car. All very well organized, and so fun. Highly recommend staying here!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fernando

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Top
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025