SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK, Panama -- The Gamboa Rainforest Resort
here features a package and amenities designed for clients
traveling with children.
The three-night Gamboa Family Getaway plan is priced at $405 per
person, double, with additional nights available at $99 per
person.
Rates are valid through Dec. 15 and include buffet breakfast for
two adults and two children; an upgrade to a deluxe room; and
access to all resort amenities, including kayaks, boats, bicycles,
tennis courts and gym and spa facilities.
Children age 12 and under stay free in parents' room. Children
under age 5 eat all meals for free while kids ages 5 to 12 eat for
50% off the menu price.
Age-appropriate children's activities also are covered and
include cooking classes, bike tours, kayaking and pedal-boat
excursions on the Chagres River; evening jungle walks;
local-culture dance classes; and hikes with qualified
naturalists.
In addition, a variety of guided trips, ranging from day trips
to three- and four-night retreats, are bookable from Gamboa.
Some of the most popular ones are: Gatun Lake/Panama Canal, a
kayaking and hiking adventure along the lake and the historic Las
Cruces Trail; the Wildlife Tour, an expedition into some of the
world's best birding areas. (I saw a handful of older kids enjoying
this, especially spying sloths in the treetops); the Panama City
Tour, a visit to Casco Viejo (old Panama) as well as the Canal
Museum.
The resort pays 12% commission on overnight and package
bookings.
Contact Gamboa for prices and related information.
Meanwhile, the Gamboa Kids Program runs daily from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., and until 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Baby-sitting also is available for $10 per hour, per child.
Owner Herman Bern said his entire family depends upon travel
agents and tour operators for business, and especially to guide and
educate clients about the kinds of experiences Gamboa offers.
Travel agents and tour operators are entitled to a special
nightly rate of $50 per room in the villas. Deluxe rooms are priced
at $75, about a 66% discount off the $225 nightly rack rates.
For additional information about Gamboa Rainforest Resort, call
(877) 800-1690; visit www.gamboaresort.com; or e-mail [email protected]. -- K.S.
For more information on Gamboa Rainforest Resort, read
Kaleel Sakakeeny's report:Resort offers adventure Indiana
Jones-style.