Private tour in Panama City Mario G
5.0
(5) reviews
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Mario G.
5.0
Guide rating
72
Reviews
Tours delivered
7 hrs
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I come from a family of hard working entrepreneurs who taught me self respect, global business, common sense, humility, family values, and respect to God, country, fellow human beings, all living creatures and nature in general. Above all, I am a husband and a father to six exceptional girls and boys who make me very proud. I've long enjoyed traveling, for my family owned a construction business as well as the best marble and tile factory in Panama so this required me to travel throughout Europe, Asia and North America since I was 17 years old. I love deep sea fishing around the Peal Island Archipelago in Panama's Pacific Ocean. I also enjoy cooking for my friends and family as well as dinning out at the best European and Chinese restaurants that Panama has to offer. During the pandemic, construction was null and we were on lockdown for almost a year. Later, when we were allowed out again around March 2021, I had to find an alternate business in order to provide food for my family and fulfill my financial commitments. Thank God one of my grade school friends who owns a tour and excursions company, offered me to come and help him with his clients. Since I was educated in the USA, speak fluent English and drive a luxury SUV, so he considered I was perfect for the job. I soon became his student as he taught me all he had learned over the past eight years providing tours and excursions to over 4, 000 guests visiting Panama. Hosting and making friends, showing people my beautiful country, that I love so much, comes very natural to me. The fact that I went to a military school in the USA also gives me the knowledge on the culture and ways of the American traveler as well as being courteous and always on time to all meetings, appointments and events. With tourism I actually found a beautiful side of both, Panama and myself that I didn't know existed. The Monkey Island that travelers enjoy so much, the Sloth Sanctuary, the Embera Indigenous Village Tribe, the rainforest zip-line, the canopy tower at Pipeline Road, the hiking trail at the Metropolitan Park, the history of "Casco Viejo" (Old Town), Panama La Vieja (Old City of Panama), the San Lorenzo Fortress on the Caribbean side, the building and operations of the Panama Canal, the Miraflores visitor center on the Pacific and the Agua Clara visitor center on the Atlantic side of Panama, El Valle Mountain with its waterfalls, thermal water wells, wild animal refuge, mountain hiking, etc. Also the Caribbean Island of Isla Grande, being in the Pacific and Atlantic sides with only one hour apart from each other is priceless. I love Panama and would love to show it to you through my eyes. I enjoy hosting and entertaining guests from all over the world, not only as a local tour guide, but as a friend or family member abroad would do. If you have any questions or special requests, don't hesitate to contact me, I'll make sure we figure out together how best to solve any issues that may be preventing you to make an educated decision. I'm very flexible and easy to work with. I look forward to meeting you and your loved ones on your next visit to Panama. Take good care. Safe travels, Mario Associates of Arts Degree from Valley Forge Military College | June 2nd, 1990. Bachelor of Science Degree from Nova Southeastern University | July 31st, 1994. Panama Tourism Authority General Tour Guide License #28098 | May 2nd, 2021 to present.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Mario G.
This country has many awe-inducing secrets, stories and a wide biodiversity, which can be found conveniently located close to the city. Our tour takes place amidst the rainforest and around the lake that came to be after the intentional flooding of the Chagres River Valley, by the hand of the Panama Canal's engineers. All of these islands were, at one point in time, mountain tops; today home to thousands of wildlife species such as capuchin monkeys, tamarin monkeys, and howler monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, anteaters, lizards, bats, snail hawks, a wide variety of birds, among others, which we might get to encounter while sailing around the lake. We'll visit a refuge for sloths, frogs and butterflies that you'll never forget. Come with me to the lake where my dad and uncle taught me how to fish in, where I also used to water ski. I have fond memories of us having an amazing family time together surrounded by nature and beautiful animal species, so I'd like for you to have a great time here too!
·The tour will begin at a convened time with a pick-up from your hotel in downtown Panama City area, after which we'll embark on around an hour long drive towards Gatun Lake. ·On our way there, we'll enjoy a beautiful jungle scenery with rivers, ponds, lakes and mountains. ·On arrival to Gatun Lake, we'll reach its public peer to get on board a panga with an experienced captain, who'll take us for around an hour across the lake, to see all of the wildlife living on the islands and around the rainforest. ·After our boat-ride, we'll return to the pier, get on our vehicle and proceed to the last part of our adventure. · We'll drive to a wildlife refuge where we'll come across sloths, frogs and butterflies. ·On arrival to the animal shelter, we'll enjoy an hour long visit. ·Finally we'll drive almost an hour long scenic drive towards our drop-off point. This itinerary could be customized upon request.
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A clean and well kept 2015 Lexus LX570 Luxury SUV, with a 5.7 liter V8 gasoline engine, all wheel drive, automatic transmission, leather seats, moon roof, front and rear air conditioning, cool box, 10 speaker sound system, bluetooth, dvd and 5 doors. In Lake Gatun, we'll be transported to the small islands around the lake on a 20' panga propelled by a 50hp outboard engine commanded by Jose, a boat captain with over 40 years experience boating at the Gatun lake.
Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama
To be coordinated with guide
5 reviews
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