Choose our Portobelo Extension to add to your captivating Panama adventure and explore its best kept secrets. From the contrasting views of Gatun Lake to the historic San Lorenzo Fort and a coastal snorkeling experience near Portobelo's bay, this extension rounds up your journey. Immerse yourself in the colonial charm of Portobelo's UNESCO-designated port, where five forts stand sentinel, cannons pointing to the bay. The Aguas Clara Visitor Center offers panoramic beauty, blending natural wonders and man-made marvels. This extension promises a seamless blend of adventure and history, crafting lasting memories of Panama's cultural and natural heritage.
Highlights
Snorkel near the bay of Portobelo
Visit the Aguas Clara Visitor Center
Explore Gatun Lake where cargo ships and vessels transit daily.
Marvel colonial architecture at UNESCO-recognized Portobelo forts
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Arrive in Panama City on the flight of your choice today. You will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in the city upon arrival. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring your new surroundings and stretching your legs before your adventure begins in the morning.
Day 2: Aguas Clara Visitor Center and San Lorenzo
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Today, you will be picked up in the morning and head out to visit the Aguas Clara Visitor Center. The center offers a breathtaking panoramic view contrasting two scenarios that generate mixed feelings. On one side, one will find the famous Gatun Lake, where cargo ships or other vessels transit every day, while on the other side, but from a different perspective, the view of the expansion works will amaze. The new locks are larger, use less water than the original locks, and can accommodate bigger ships that carry more cargo.
Next, the group will visit San Lorenzo Fort, a colonial fortress that was built by the Spanish to protect the entrance of the Chagres River, which was an important route for transporting gold and silver from Peru to Spain. It was through this river that the notorious pirate Henry Morgan arrived at the Old Panama, to attack the fort and burn and loot the city. Take your time exploring the ruins of the fort, which include a moat, cannons, and vaulted chambers, and enjoy the views of the river and the Caribbean Sea. You can also see wildlife and vegetation of the San Lorenzo Protected Area, which surrounds the fort.
Today, get ready to experience the Caribbean coast from a different perspective, by snorkeling near the bay of Portobelo. Portobelo is a historic port that was once a vital trade center for the Spanish empire. Enjoy a transfer by boat to the beach where you will prepare for your snorkeling experience. This snorkeling tour will take you to some of the best spots for snorkeling near Portobelo, where you can see colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and other marine life. Please note, this activity involves swimming from the beach to the snorkeling site.
The tour will continue to the port of Portobelo, which is full of colonial history, giving visitors a sense of being transported in time. In this location, five colonial fortresses stand, their cannons still pointing towards the bay. The colonial beauty of the fortresses remains preserved, and Portobelo and its fortresses has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Day 4: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Make your way to the airport for your international flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400 (50% during holiday season) plus internal flight fare, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
1 day ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
