From Panama City: Caribbean Island Hopping & Portobelo Fort
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 11h
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
- Selective hotel pickup
- Multiple languages
Overview
- Experience the Afro-Caribbean culture of Portobelo
- Meet the monkeys of Isla Linton
- Fall in love and bathe in the "Tunnel of Love" mangrove forest
- Lounge on the white sand beaches of Isla Grande
- Snorkel on the colourful reefs of Isla Mamey
Activity location
- Panama City
- Panama City, Provincia de Panamá, Panama
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Panama City
- Panama City, Provincia de Panamá, Panama
Check availability
From Panama City: Caribbean Island Hopping & Portobelo Fort
- 11h
- English
What's included, what's not
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Panama City lodging
- Well-maintained, air-conditioned car
- English speaking guide
- Tour to Portobelo Fort
- Boat Tour to Isla Grande, Isla Mamey and Isla Linton (Monkey Island)
- Boat Tour through the Love Tunnel mangrove forest
- Water Bottles
- Island Entrance Fees ($11 per person, paid in cash to the boat driver)
- Lunch
- Pick-up and drop-off from areas outside of Panama City, such as Playa Bonita, Costa del Este and others
What you can expect
The tour starts at 7:00am, with your English speaking driver and guide picking you up from your lodging in Panama City. Enjoy our comfortable, air-conditioned car as we cross the country from the Pacific side to the Atlantic side.
At 9:30am we arrive at the port, where a lancha boat will take you to the monkey island Isla Linton, which is famous for its Howler monkeys inhabiting the dense forest canopies. You will hear their barking howls when leaving the boat and you may also spot a few curious faces looking at you from atop the trees.
Next up we visit the “Tunnel of Love”, a natural pool, surrounded by mangroves, inviting you to soak in the balmy, shallow waters. The experience will almost feel surreal, as realise your heightened senses, listening to the multitude of birds chirping all around you and the occasional monkey bellowing at his companions, all while sitting waist deep in a natural bathtub.
Exiting the Tunnel of Loves, we will be greeted by Isla Mamey with its large white sand beach. The huge, shallow reef right in front will be the perfect opportunity for you to unpack your snorkel and dive into the iridescent ocean. Various palm trees will afford plenty of shade, inviting you to lay down and enjoy the gentle Caribbean breeze.
At noon we head to Isla Grande, a short 10 minute boat ride from Isla Mamey.
As you step off the boat you will be welcomed by palm trees and white-sand beaches. A popular getaway for folk escaping the urban grind of Panama City, Isla Grande is an ideal setting for snorkelling, scuba diving or simply soaking up the island’s relaxed vibe. There are no roads here, just a small footpath along the island's southern coast, backed by pastel-colored cottages. Many of the people living here are of African descent and are eking out a living from fishing and growing coconuts – you’ll get a taste of both when you sample the local cuisine.
We will recommend you an oceanfront restaurant, where seafood is served fresh from the ocean to your plate and where you can spend the rest of the day lounging on the private beach, sipping on a cold Balboa beer or snacking on delicious Patacones (fried plantains).
At 3:00pm we will return to the port, making our way back to Portobelo, giving us the opportunity to explore the rich historical buildings around town.
‘Puerto Bello, ’the Beautiful Port, was named by Christopher Columbus in 1502, when he landed here on his fourth New World voyage. Since it was common during that time to abbreviate Spanish names, the beautiful port quickly became known as simply ‘Portobelo.’
During the 16th to the 18th centuries Portobelo was an important silver-exporting town and one of the two Atlantic ports on the route of the Spanish treasure fleets. Explore the old ruins and cannons idly ageing away ion the Caribbean sun.
As the sun starts dropping, we will make our way back to Panama City, arriving at your hotel at around 6:00pm.
Location
Activity location
- Panama City
- Panama City, Provincia de Panamá, Panama
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Panama City
- Panama City, Provincia de Panamá, Panama