Caribbean Day Tour: Isla Grande, Mamey, Monkey Island & Portobelo
Overview
Available languages
11 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the best of Panama’s Caribbean coast on this day trip from Panama City. This full-day adventure combines visits to three beautiful islands—Isla Grande, Isla Linton, and Isla Mamey—with the historic town of Portobelo, once a key Spanish port filled with treasure and history. Just 2.5 hours from Panama City, you’ll enjoy turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, snorkeling, swimming, and vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture.
Portobelo, named Puerto Bello (“Beautiful Port”) by Christopher Columbus in 1502, is home to colonial forts, colorful traditions, and a unique local vibe.
We make your experience stress-free with:
✅ Pick-up from your Panama City lodging
✅ Comfortable transport with friendly drivers
✅ Expert local, English-speaking guides who share history and culture
✅ Excellent customer service available before and during your trip
This is the perfect blend of island-hopping, beach time, and history, offering a Caribbean escape without leaving Panama.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Pickup Time: Pickup from your Panama City hotel or accommodation is at 7:00 AM sharp. Please be ready in the lobby 10 minutes before.
Passport Requirement: Travelers must bring their original passport. Police occasionally conduct roadside checks, and photocopies are not accepted.
Additional Pickup Charges: Extra fees apply for pickups and drop-offs at hotels or accommodations located in the Tocumen Airport area, Playa Bonita, or Costa del Este. Please contact us for details.
Travel Distance: The drive to the port takes approximately 2.5 hours each way through winding but scenic roads.
Extra Fees: The $11 entrance fee (cash only) and lunch are not included.
What to Bring: Sunscreen, hat, towel, swimsuit, water shoes, cash
️ Weather & Conditions: Tours run rain or shine. Sea conditions may vary, so guests should be comfortable with boat travel.
Health & Mobility: This tour is not recommended for travelers with serious back problems, mobility issues, or those who are pregnant.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Shared Boat Transfers between islands
Round-Trip Shared Transportation from your Panama City hotel to the port
Air-conditioned vehicle
1 Bottled Water per Guest – stay refreshed during your adventure
Full-Day Bilingual Guide (English & Spanish) – expert guidance throughout the tour
Entrance Fee to Portobelo National Park & Islands (mandatory, paid in cash on site)
Guests can enjoy freshly prepared seafood and local dishes at a beachfront restaurant on Isla Grande (average $15–20 per person, paid directly at the restaurant). Vegetarian options available.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Panama City
Hotel Pick-Up in Panama City Your adventure begins with pick-up from your hotel in Panama City at 7:00 AM. Relax in spacious, air-conditioned transport as we make the scenic 2.5-hour drive to Panama’s Caribbean coast. Along the way, enjoy rolling hills, lush jungle landscapes, and charming local villages. Extra charges apply for pick-ups from Tocumen Airport area, Playa Bonita, and Costa del Este.
Colon
Isla Linton – Monkey Island & Natural Pool At around 9:30 AM, board a boat to Isla Linton, also known as Monkey Island. Famous for its wild howler monkeys, the island offers a magical experience as their calls echo through the dense jungle canopy. Here you’ll also find a crystal-clear natural pool surrounded by mangroves, perfect for a refreshing swim in calm, shallow waters. As you float, listen to the symphony of birdsong and the occasional monkey call—a surreal moment in untouched Caribbean nature.
Options
Pickup Panama City
Pickup included
Pick Up Playa Bonita
Pickup included
Pickup Costa del Este
Pickup included
Reviews
32 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Our Panama Day trip with Daniel
Susan G,
May 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00If you are lucky enough to have Daniel as your tour guide you are in for a real treat. The day was magical from the "Love Tunnel" to the beaches - Mamey was the best!. The lunch was even a special - going to a local cafe for real Panamanian food. Daniel was amazing - I would recommend this day trip to anyone looking for a true Panama experience.
An Experience to Remember!
lavecchiaw2021,
May 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This excursion had it all! My husband was looking for beautiful beaches and I wanted some local history. This tour gave us the combination to satisfy each of our interests and more. We got to swim and enjoy 3 amazing beaches and swim through the mangroves. We got up close to feed the spider monkeys and have a delicious lunch before ending our day. Our tour guide Mario, was so patient and knowledgeable with all of the questions we asked. He’s young, but filled with a wealth of knowledge about the history of Portobello and Panama in general. Our driver and the captain of boat were so warm and inviting. They took excellent care of all of our transportation needs. We would definitely recommend anyone visiting Panama to take this tour to get all of what you need: history, beaches, food and fun!
Very expensive excursion
U1958KCcarolinac,
May 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I thought it was super expensive for what we did. Spending time on a couple of islands is not worth about €300 a couple. Besides paying us for food and paying the boatman part of it. If we had done it on our own give us €60 per person at most
Totally exotic
famousserge,
Jan 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00In nature, with animals Beautiful water You have to drive a bit to get there compared to Panama City, but it's definitely worth it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Airen C,
Dec 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing excursion, a semi private tour averaging between 11-12 hours. Ana Lorena was amazing, knowledgable, and passionate. All of the tour was excellent, but the highlight for my group was swiming in the natural pool within the mangroves. Overall this was an excellent way to explore Colon and the surrounding areas.
Beach hop
Katrece H,
Sep 8, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00The freshwater pool and feeding the monkey was nice. However the tour was a little too long for our taste.
The best way to spend a day in Panama
Nicholas M,
Aug 24, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour from the beginning with the pick up from Ali was great. Ali was extremely knowledgeable about everything Panama. The entire drive through the Panamanian country side on our way to Colon was filled with little historical information. Ali was very attentive the entire day and made sure we had everything we needed and always made sure we were ready for the next thing. The Caribbean side of Panama is beautiful and really blew me away with the history and natural environment. Ali is fantastic at what he does and I would highly recommend this tour and Ali as the guide specifically. He really made our day special and I felt like we got a very local experience with him.
A magical relaxing day
Sarah C,
May 8, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Great trip from standing by cannons in Portobello that had been uses to fight off the Spanish, to feeding spider monkeys, swimming in the mangroves and relaxing on beautiful sandy beaches a trip not to be missed
Don't Miss Seeing the Caribbean
HappyFamily43082,
Apr 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked directly through TAO. Communication was efficient. We did not realize this would be a private tour. Our tour guide, Ana, was terrific. She's a proud Panamanian who loves to show off her beautiful country. She provided knowledgeable commentary throughout the tour. Her SUV was comfortable for four guests. Our first stop in Portobelo was limited as a movie was being filmed at one of the forts. The island stops were interesting. We brought snorkeling gear, although Isla Moray has a very shallow reef. Lunch on Isla Grande was good, but the pina coladas were excellent!
Panama City Vacation
Rickster4665,
Mar 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had Anna as our guide. She was great and on time, she hit every stop on our toue and was very informative. We spent all day with her as it was an 11 hour trip from start to finish. I was worth every penny!!!
From US$154.00
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