Gamboa Rainforest Resort

What an experience! We were on a Caravan tour and stayed two nights there. Our room was amazing, overlooking the water and having a hammock on our balcony. We had to walk a LONG way from the main part of the resort to our room, but it was quite quiet so it was worth it. Also, there are no ice machines so we had to keep pestering the staff at the beautiful restaurant for it. Their buffets are delish. The grounds spectacular. Highly recommend this place in the rain forest, so so close to the Panama Canal.

Overall beautiful location and adequate facilities with incredibly poor communication and service from reservations and front desk. Online reservations easy to make in late december but impossible to change. Attempted to call twice an emailed the reservation three times time with never a response. Luckily, we were able to alter the reservation from 3 nights to 2 without extra charges. Front desk check in lasted over forty five minutes and the trainee never gave us any explanation about the inclusive wristband that was needed for free drinks and meals. Actually showed them the reservations, stating it included free meals and then they proceeded to charge us for the first two lunches. Finally, the second evening after confusion again about trying to eat the buffet the manager came and apologized, and distributed the wristbands and credited the previous meals. Overall the setting is stunning, the rooms are spacious and clean and the buffet, including breakfast and dinner, was better than average. The value is excellent if you are actually properly instructed about the benefits. Free tours are actually interesting and would highly recommend the tram ride with the hike up to the observation point.

Location is isolated so you are required to have all your meals at the Reserve. The buffet becomes tiresome after a few days. Staff are not motivated, although some try. Translation app is helpful to confirm communication. We checked out, received a paper receipt outlining all charges. Then within 15 minutes a $300USD charge was made on our VISA. We did not authorize this charge and we were already en route to the airport. The manager Clara sent our complaint to accounting. About a week later the charges were corrected ( again they used our VISA without our authorization) On top of all this at the start of our trip the driver we had booked through the Reserve to get us at the airport was a no show - they forgot to call him. We did not receive an apology or compensation. Luckily a West Jet Airline staff who had a phone and spoke Spanish got us a new driver.

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. The setting was fabulous! We went fishing on Gatun Lake and caught lots of peacock bass and a small snook. We enjoyed monkey island a lot! We bought food package for lunch and dinner once we got there. Food was good if you're not a picky eater - lots of different options than you might see at home. We only stayed 2 nights/3 days but that was enough to feel the need to move on. I loved getting up early to go on balcony and listen to the howler monkeys and other wildlife. We would come back if in Panama again.

Ignore the bad reviews, we almost didn't book because of them, just got back after 4 days and had a great time. Our room was clean, housekeeping was helpful when we ran out of items. Food and drinks were good, had breakfast buffet included every day, ate 2 dinner buffets, 1 dinner at the more formal sit down restaurant, and my husband and son had hamburgers and fries at the pool bar. Always lots of choices, everything we tried was great. The only thing I would like is to have more tables, chairs and loungers at the pool since at peak time there is not enough for all the guests.