Hotel at a Glance: Gamboa Rainforest Resort

About 30 minutes from Panama City, Gamboa Rainforest Resort is surrounded by central Panama’s spectacular scenery. The Chagres River, the largest in the Panama Canal’s watershed, runs right by the resort, and it’s right next to the tropical forests of Soberania National Park, home to howler monkeys, jaguars, and hundreds of bird species. As a guest here, you’ll have a chance to see these habitats up close—this Getaway includes an aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy, and a boat tour of nearby Panama Canal. The resort also offers fishing tours and night safaris for a fee. With magnificent views from the deluxe guest rooms, the tropical surroundings never feel far away.

• Admire the views: Swing in the hammock on your deluxe room’s private patio and gaze out onto the Chagres River and the 55,000-acre Soberania National Park rainforest.
• Go swimming: The resort has a two-level “La Cascada” pool with tropical landscaping, and a waterfall that runs the length of the pool
• Recommended birding hike: Pipeline Road is your best bet for spotting a variety of antbirds, woodpeckers, toucans, and the elusive Golden-collared Manakin.
• Pamper yourself: The Sensory Spa by Clarins offers facials, treatments, and massages using natural herbs and minerals.
• Hot tip: You can get clothing, shoes, and hats at the onsite gift shop, as well as handmade taguas (jewelry) and books.
• Nice perk: For an additional fee, the resort offers transportation to Panama City, which is about 19 miles (31 km) away.

Gamboa, Panama: Tropical Forests, Wetlands, and Wildlife near Panama City

Though it’s only a 40-minute drive from Panama City, the small town of Gamboa feels worlds away. Bordered by Soberania National Park on the banks of the Chagres River, it’s home to a diversity of wildlife, including a stunning variety of birds. The Panama Audubon Society sets world records for Christmas bird counts year after year. You’ll spot Great Tinamou, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, and Green Heron along nearby Pipeline Road and the surrounding wetlands. Other popular excursions include ziplining, fishing, and boating on Gatun Lake.

When you’re looking for a more urban scene, the capital of Panama City is a short drive away. The capital, Panama City, has enjoyed renewal in recent years; expect skyscrapers, modern condominiums, and an energy and nightlife that rival any big city. The Frank Gehry–designed Biodiversity Museum salutes local wildlife, considered some of the most diverse of any Central American country. In the capital’s historic Casco Viejo district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Jose Church has drawn crowds since it was built in the 16th century; the church is home to an altar gilded entirely in gold leaf.

Outside the city on the Pacific Coast, Panama’s beaches are often less crowded and commercialized than those in other warm-weather destinations. Much of the shoreline looks as it has for hundreds of years, making it a romantic getaway. Farther inland, there are tropical rainforests such as Chargres National Park, etched with rivers and lush highlands.

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