Portobelo Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour
5
Portobelo Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour
By Adventures Panama
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 12-70, max of 12 per group
Duration: 10h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More
Written guide: English, Spanish
Print or digital reading material such as a guide, map, brochure, etc.
More
- Lunch
- Snacks
- All activities
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
What's not included- Gratuities
- Start:Traveller pickup offered.Pickup details
- We only pickup at Panama City Hotels (not included Gamboa and Veracruz which are 30 minutes away). We might be able to arrange for pickups outside Panama City as an add on
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 34942P9- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Minimum age is 12 years
- Not recommended for travellers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 34942P9
From
£138.03
per adult
Select date and travellers
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Similar experiences
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- paulafZ9891KQ0 contributionsAmazing Panamanian River-Jungle ImmersionPerfect day trip. Combination of exercise, excitement, nature, relaxation. Very knowledgeable guides and crew. Crystal clear water all the way and beautiful jungle. Lots of yellow butterflies along the river bank.Written 13 January 2025
- familiaf8890 contributionsAmazing experienceAmazing experience. Incredibly organized. You can tell the years of experience because everything was thouroughly thought of ahead of time. The Rafting was easy enough, the 2.5hr hike was not too tiresome and had beautiful sights.Written 13 January 2025
- 224sarahc0 contributionsMagical Experience!This tour was spectacular! I highly recommend it. The cave itself was gorgeous w/ many interesting formations and shapes, and there were multiple pools where you could swim. There were many dark parts where you used a headlamp and also areas where there were holes and natural sunlight came through-I enjoyed the juxtaposition. There are also lots of bats at a certain part of the cave but they do their own thing. It felt truly magical. It's also not super challenging, but does make you work a little which sweetens the experience. Before you get to the cave, you take a boat across Bayano Lake which was also beautiful. At the end of the cave tour, you get some delicious homemade fish and platonos! Don't miss this tour!Written 12 January 2025
- Doug D0 contributionsGreat outing!We had a great evening out. Great guide and experience! It was a bit rainy but nice and warm. Tour was about an hour and seemed about right amount if time.Written 5 December 2024
- katiehK471QJ0 contributionsDon’t miss this experience in Panama!Phenomenal day! It really is a challenge, but we loved it all. Started at 5am with pick up from our hotel, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast before switching to a 4x4 for the drive into the jungle. Led by Alberto, we hiked for about 2 hours to the river - it was steep and muddy, but great fun, so good hiking-water shoes are essential. We managed to beat the horses bringing the equipment to the river, so we relaxed until the raft was ready. Fabian and Alberto guided the raft and made sure we all had a fantastic and informative (and safe) time. We saw some amazing wildlife such as a huge iguana and many birds. We did not see a single person from the beginning of the hike til the end at the Embera village - it was sublimely peaceful and beautiful on the river with the rainforest all around us. The rapids were exhilarating and so much fun! You will definitely end the day soaking wet! Lunch was simple but perfect, at a convenient stony beach on the river. We ended at an Embera village and we were taken back to the van by a motor canoe, which was a lovely end to an exhausting but amazing day. Cannot recommend this highly enough. Our children aged 13 and 11 thought it was amazing. Thank you so much to Javier and the team!Written 28 November 2024
- jeffcL4223UP0 contributionsAmazing Mamoni River-Just Book it!The trip was everything we were hoping for and more. Javier is an excellent guide and a wealth of knowledge all things Panama and adventure. We saw and heard three separate troops of monkeys along the river, iguanas, bats, and lots of birds. The white water was incredible and had the adrenaline pumping through all the waves, drops, and maneuvers!!Written 22 October 2024
- pascalpD1266WN0 contributionsBayano CayoningThis was one of the best experience of my life. The guide, Javier was amazing and I really recommend other people to try it!Written 19 October 2024
- Stay174086531490 contributionsFamily Chagres Challenge!This was an amazing experience! We were visiting Panama with our three teenage daughters, and were looking for a tour that allowed us a genuine experience of the jungle as well as adventure and adrenaline, and this certainly ticked all the boxes! The trip starts with a 5am pick-up by mini-bus at your accommodation. We then had the most spectacular 1-hour drive through torrential rain, lightning and thunder (very unusual at this time of day!) high up into the scenic mountains. The weather miraculously cleared as the sun rose and we stopped for the most delicious breakfast (eggs, a local fried bread, coffee and drinks of our choice - all included!) at a truly 'local' roadside restaurant. We were lucky to see toucans high up and hear howler monkeys before taking a short drive to where the SUV's picked us up. When I say we went 'off road' I mean it - we bumped and skidded along the steepest, bumpiest road ever down the mountain. The driver was highly experienced, though, and the views were spectacular, as we passed remote houses with the clouds sitting on the valley below. Once we get to the start of the hike two mules, one horse, and 3 guides were waiting to receive the rafting equipment, water, food and supplies that would be accompanying us on the hike. The 4-hour hike that followed was definitely not a ‘walk in the park’ but also not an absolute killer. There is a lot of up and down, and a lot of care required when going downhill, especially as it had been raining. Our guide, Javier, has been doing this for 30 years. He is passionate about the area, hiking, and rafting. We had regular short stops where he would allow us a breather and point out certain trees, plants and landmarks, and share information about the area and its history. Many of the narrow paths we hiked along, as well as the ‘road’ we drove down were established by him years ago. He always walked ahead of us, making sure we did not stumble upon any sleeping snakes, as well as to make sure that we minimised damage to the area by sticking to the established path. We passed some very remote landholds, which had been established before the area was declared a national park, which added to the interest. Oh, did I mention the river crossings? These are regular, with some currents stronger than other, so watch your step and as Javier will suggest do not step on the big, slippery rocks or you will swim! We were excited to get to the rafts, ready and inflated, waiting for us at the pick-up point. After one last river wade we made it to our start point, where after a very comprehensive safety briefing (safety is definitely Javier’s number one priority!) we got in the raft to learn the commands and practice this in calm waters. With 6 of us in the boat, and Javier steering at the back, we made a good team! The first few rapids were a bit scary, with a lot of tossing and turning of the boat due to the rapids and rocks in the river, but by about the third rapid we were taking them like pros, with Javier expertly determining our best route, shouting commands and steering the boat from the back. Another guide was always ahead of us, in a single raft, providing back-up safety. After about 2 hours we had the most delicious cold cuts lunch on a pebbly river bank before setting off again. We knew we had reached the trickier part of the river when Javier stopped for an extra safety briefing and we headed for the rapid that included a 3-foot drop. Much to the girls’ amusement, mom as well as our fellow passenger flew out of the raft and had to be quickly hauled back into boat before we reached the next rapid. They are still howling with laughter! We then continued for about another 3 hours of rafting through rapids, beautiful stretches of jungle, and a gorgeous canyon. We even got to jump out of the raft for a nice, refreshing swim alongside the boat. After about 5 hours we reached the Embera Drun village, where we engaged with some friendly Embera indians that were on the river with their kids and dogs as we waited for the motorized Embera canoe to pick us up. I have to say we felt like participants on ‘Naked and Afraid’ getting extracted after their adventure - tired but so proud of our 9-hour accomplishment! After 45 minutes of again the most beautiful, scenic river and jungle scenery we docked at a small village, and were met by our mini van. After a cold beer/soft drink and a welcome change into our dry clothes we were on our way back home. What an amazing memory!! TIPS: Javier said to ‘only take what you will need on the hike and raft’. Being a mom I totally overpacked, taking water, rash guards, sunscreen, snacks and windbreakers. I should have listened to him - all you really need is your phone, if you want to risk it, in a waterproof pouch, and a rain jacket that you can wrap around your waist for the hike. Apply bug spray and sunscreen before you leave the mini van, and make sure you have towels, dry clothes, snacks etc for the drive home as you can keep these safely in the van during the expedition. I also wish we had brought cash tips for the driver and assistant guide, as they were amazing.Written 1 August 2024
- tessaalliker19740 contributionsIncredible expedition!Honestly, the most fun and exciting expedition i have been on, from 5am until 7pm! I saw another part of Panama I didn’t know existed however all in a days trip from PC. A big thank you to Javier for his expertise and incredible organisation skills.Written 28 July 2024
- Sightsee411573268670 contributionsBest tour in Panama!We went on the Bayano Canyoning tour with Javier and his companion. It was the best tour I've been on in a while. How often do you get to walk through a water cave with thousands of bats flying over you? Javier and his companion were very experienced. We felt perfectly safe throughout the whole tour. The hike wasn't to bad. It took us about 1 hour to get to the other side of the cave and only 30 mins to get back. I highly recommend to wear good hiking boots. Because it's dark and slippery in thr cave. After the hike we got to enjoy a delicious meal made by the local villagers. I'm definitely coming back for another tour next time I'm visiting Panama!Written 17 February 2024
- 62kurto0 contributionsFantastic way to spend the day in nature.The trip was amazing. Javier did a great job planning and executing on every aspect of the day. There was not a moment that was not interesting,l ans beautiful and it was always challenging without being too challenging. Highly recommend.Written 28 January 2024
- CarlG15040 contributionsI checked a "Bucket List" boxJavier and his team were spectacular! It is a challenging hike, and the rafting was the perfect complement for the day. The scenery was awe inspiring, and the power canoe ride at the end gave the experience a very authentic flair. I would highly recommend this tour for families, team building or a once-in-a-lifetime experience!Written 28 January 2024
- U3179VZyvetter0 contributionsBeautiful experienceJavier was a wonderful guide. He takes safety measures seriously. The hike was physically challenging but it was well worth it. It is every bit of a 14 hour day. The rapids were not as scary as I thought they would be. The virgen jungle and river were spectacular. It was the highlight of my tweens’ Panama trip. They will remember it forever. It was the whole jungle experience in one day.Written 5 August 2023
- benjohansson7770 contributionsTHE BEST!Adventures Panama is everything we hoped and more! We had a wonderful experience with them climbing chame, seeing beautiful views, learning some history of Panama, and seeing lots of wildlife! Our tour guide was very informative and friendly and went above and beyond to make sure we were having the best time. We are going to do the sunset kayaking with them tomorrow and definitely will book with them again! If you are looking to really experience Panama and all that it has to offer, these are the people you want to book with!Written 8 April 2023
- V4620VDbriank0 contributionsBayano Canyoning Mar 2023We went on the Bayano Cavern trip with Javier. Javier was very responsive and flexible with our needs. The whole trip was very smooth, well organized and safe. Both the lake and the caves are an amazing place to visit. On the boat trip to the caves, we got great views of the lake and lots of birds including cormorants and ospreys. Entering the cavern, we waded through the river and saw the beautiful formations inside. Walking in the water over the slippery rocks takes some care and getting used to, but is not particularly difficult for people used to hiking. Hiking boots are a good idea, and the water temperature is cool. We saw lots of wildlife including frogs, fish and many bats inside the cave. In some places it is dark and requires headlamps, in other places the light passes through the tops illuminating the cave with cool light. At the end of the cavern we swam in the clear water of the lagoon, where we also saw a toucan and hummingbirds. We returned to the entrance on the same route, and then ate a delicious lunch before getting back on the boat to return to the car, change clothes (and watch some monkeys), then drive back. The caverns are a unique and beautiful place and there's great opportunities to see wildlife. Javier is experienced and responsible and knows the area very well. Overall the trip was a great experience.Written 30 March 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
More to explore in Panama City
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
2 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Sandra S
2 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
My group of 10 recently went on the Portobelo Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour through Adventures Panama. The company was incredibly efficient, professional, and accommodating. My group had to make a few changes before the tour, and the company was so gracious and patient. I primarily communicated with Nele and Javier to start. They both were so helpful.
When it came time for the actual tour, Juan was our tour guide. He is such a pleasant, sweet, patient, funny, gregarious, and overall, wonderful man! He even took time to teach me how to swim! When some of our group needed an extra hand during the kayaking, he took his time with them. He navigated us through Panama and educated us about everything we asked and even things he just thought were important to know.
We stopped at a quaint little spot after kayaking and the beach where the food was delicious! Juan was helping the restaurant take orders. He was hands-on the entire time.
I highly recommend this tour and Adventures Panana! I hope you are lucky enough to be connected with Juan as your guide!
When it came time for the actual tour, Juan was our tour guide. He is such a pleasant, sweet, patient, funny, gregarious, and overall, wonderful man! He even took time to teach me how to swim! When some of our group needed an extra hand during the kayaking, he took his time with them. He navigated us through Panama and educated us about everything we asked and even things he just thought were important to know.
We stopped at a quaint little spot after kayaking and the beach where the food was delicious! Juan was helping the restaurant take orders. He was hands-on the entire time.
I highly recommend this tour and Adventures Panana! I hope you are lucky enough to be connected with Juan as your guide!
Written 9 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your Exellent Review on our Portobelo Sea Kayaking adventure
I hope we can take you to any of our other destinations very soon.
Written 4 September 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Buy it with
Top rated
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.