The obstacle we face with selling Panama as a destination is NOT that it has a negative connotation..it's that it has ABSOLUTELY NO connotation. Other than the canal.what do most people think of when you ask them about Panama? Can they actually come up with anything at all? Probably not..and herein lies our challenge - but I assure you that after my recent visit, it is one worth tackling!
First of all, Panama sounds far, doesn't it? Well, it is actually really close. My flight from Miami to Panama's Tocumen airport was a whopping 2 ½ hours. It is about the same time to fly to New York.and no one ever considers that a long way, do they? With daily non-stops from Houston, Newark, Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles and Miami on Continental, Copa and Delta airlines, it is actually fairly easy to get there. And what an exciting destination it is!
Panama is not a very large country.it is actually a slender land strip that connects Central and South America. The Panama Canal was created there because of the narrow width from one end of the country to the other. It only takes 50 minutes by train to go from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Of course you can also do it by boat and by car.or if you really want adventure - by helicopter.
Panama City, which is 30 minutes from the airport, lying on the Pacific Ocean - is a quaint city filled with culture and history. There is the ultra-modern downtown, filled with hotels, casinos, shops and restaurants. In addition, you will find a very authentic "old town" with everything from poorly maintained buildings, to ultra expensive renovations to sidewalk cafes, outdoor plazas and a very exciting club scene. Above all, it feels safe to walk around, even late at night. From the Balboa docks, you can board a vessel and transit the canal. There are three sets of locks - the Miraflores, the Pedro Miguel and finally the Gatun - before you find yourself in Gatun Lake on the Atlantic side. Built in 1913, the canal locks run much the same as they did so many years ago. It is absolutely fascinating to watch the doors open and close and feel yourself being lowered down to the next level. Who needs a 10 night cruise when you can just fly to Panama and do it in a few hours? It actually takes up to eight hours to do a complete transit. Most of the time is spent waiting to get in and out of the locks. The actual distance is not far at all.
Just 20 minutes away is the Gamboa Rainforest - and a completely different world. Although I have never been to Africa or the Amazon..I imagine this area to be a combination of the two. Sitting on the Chagres River, which is the principal water source for the canal, lies this unique property of 110 balconied rooms and suites. From the resort, you have a spectacular view of the river and the canal. The vegetation is lush and varied. I have never seen so many shades of green! A stay at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort means you will encounter an amazing variety of plant and wildlife. During my two-night visit, I saw cappuccino and howler monkies, crocodiles, caymans, turtles, a three-toed sloth, lizards, iguanas, more bird species than I could count, butterflies, snakes and a whole host of other creatures. It was incredible to say the least! And all this is done on small power boats that take you on cruises through the inlets and islands of Gatun Lake. The resort also operates a swiss-made air tram that takes you 500 feet above sea level into the jungle. You cannot imagine a more beautiful and peaceful place. The resort has its own orchid nursery, with hundreds of species and thousands of plants. It is unbelievable to say the least!
The Gamboa Rainforest Resort is every bit incentive quality. The lobby is a spectacular upscale "safari lodge" with the most beautiful floor to ceiling arched windows overlooking the river. The lighting fixtures come from all over the world and are spectacular. I especially liked the tiffany lamps. Upstairs is a gorgeous wood and leather library where you can easily host a cocktail function.however, the convention space at this resort is so extensive, you will have a difficult time choosing where to hold your events. Setting aside all of the outside pool and deck space which would be ideal for theme events, the resort has a 400-person ballroom with a custom rainforest ceiling. The ceiling is tiered with colored lighting and wildlife paintings to create a variety of moods - day and night. It is the most unique ballroom I have ever seen. Add to that another seven meeting rooms - and I promise you can't possibly run out of space.
Sleeping rooms, all of which have balconies with hammocks facing the Chagres River, are broken down as follows:
Although this resort is not normally an all-inclusive, the General Manager has agreed to package it for us to include all transfers, meals, drinks, function space, wildlife/monkey island tour, aerial tram tour and a host of other goodies. Extra shore excursions and private functions will be priced additionally - however the rates are extremely low as compared with other international destinations. Until we have the packages in place, you can figure all-inclusive pricing at around $250 pp/night.
Gamboa has three restaurants:
The Corotu Restarant serves a variety of regional and international items breakfast, lunch and dinner - either buffet or a la carte. The Chagres River View serves fine continental specialities for dinner only and is more upscale. Los Largatos is an indoor/outdoor oasis offering tropical cuisine. It is located near the resort's marina and is open for lunch. It is built partly on stilts and sits right on the river so that you can enjoy lots of "creatures" by looking over the deck.
I have to say I was extremely impressed with the service in all areas, especially the restaurants. The food was delicious - with the exception of breakfast, which I found to be unexciting and ordinary. I mentioned this to Mario, the Food and Beverage Director. I told him specifically what I thought was wrong and what he could do to correct it. He agreed with me and told me he would work on it. Believe me.I expected nothing to change. But to my amazement, the following morning - the kitchen team had done a 180 degree turnaround. The times were far more interesting. The presentation was beautiful. It was as if they went from Wizard of Oz black and white to Technicolor - in every sense of the word! When I saw Mario that morning I congratulated him on the fastest transformation I have ever seen. This can-do attitude starts from the top with Fidel Reyes, the General Manager and flows through the entire team at Gamboa. If it can be done.it will be done - and how great that is for incentive programs!
With a limited amount of food outlets, you would absolutely need to do theme dinners, barbeques, etc. Fortunately, Gamboa specializes in all of them - from Panamanian folklore shows and ethnic cuisine to Reggae extravaganzas to Carnivale events to Canal parties - you can do it all. And how about the fact that Survivor was filmed not once.but twice in Panama. What a great theme party that would make! If you can imagine it, Gamboa can create it.
Don't let me forget the full service spa and fitness center, with the most reasonable prices I have seen anywhere. I guess I have been on cruises too long. The resort also has a "Fred Flintstone-style" nightclub with faux animal skin chairs, and tables made from slices of tree trunks. The walls look like the inside of a cave and the windows are directly under the waterfall that starts in the lobby and empties into the enormous lagoon-shaped pool below. The pool is truly spectacular with a full wall over which the waterfall flows. This wall is done completely in inlaid stone. Sorry, no beach at the resort, but who needs one? There is too much to do!
Just a few minutes from the hotel, you can board a small boat and do a partial transit of the canal. Like I mentioned above.who needs a 10-night cruise? It takes about four hours to get through two sets of locks to Panama City. We can put food and entertainment on the boat, along with a guide - and you can have yourself one heck of a party. Disembark and spend a night or two in Panama City before heading back to the states, or simply drive twenty minutes back to Gamboa for some more fun.
If you love to shop, Colon is the "free zone" where everything is duty free and an incredible bargain! Take an hour and a half bus ride to find true paradise and great souvenirs of your visit!
Love to fish or play golf? You can take a small piloted boat from the marina for a wonderful fishing and wildlife excursion. Or, go 10 minutes by car to the Summit golf course Avid golfers will be impressed that the "Tour of the Americas" has just been hosted at Summit. The course is an 18-hole, par 72 - designed by Jeffrey Myers. Greens fees are about $90 pp.
And just something worth mentioning - the resort comes complete with it's own DMC called Gamboa Tours. Everything you need to arrange can be done through one company - making your life as easy as possible.
Still think Panama is not an exciting destination? Think again. Remember, lots of incentive clients wish they could do a canal cruise.but they are simply too long. Give them what they want, and an exciting resort to boot. Bring your next incentive program to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. You'll put smiles on lots of faces...and isn't that what this business is all about?
If I have put a smile on your face, and you would be interested on joining me on a future fam trip to Gamboa - then let me know. I will be putting one together in the next few months. If you would like a full incentive kit on Gamboa Rainforest Resort, I would be happy to send one to you. Of course we are always ready to send you a proposal.
Looking for unique and one-of-a-kind? Look no further...it's in Panama, and it's ready to welcome your next incentive group.
