Private tour in Panama City Mario G
5.0
(27) 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.
You haven't been to Panama if you didn't take the Panama Canal Tour. Considered the 8th wonder of the world, this engineering marvel cuts through 50 miles of land across the Isthmus of Panama, saving the vessels almost three weeks of travel time. As my personal favorite tour, it doesn't matter how often I visit, the "WOW" effect is always there. Watching the ships being raised across 3 sets of locks 85 feet to the lake between the mountains is jaw dropping. There are 2 windows a day that you may be able to watch the ships go through the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific Ocean side of The Canal. Ships on both oceans are loaded onto the Gatun Lake early morning between at 7:30 to 9:00 am (1st window). It takes about 10 hours to complete the transit, so between 1:00 to 6:00 pm we are able to see the ships coming from the Atlantic side, passing through the locks (2nd window). The following itinerary can be customized upon request:
· The tour begings when I come to pick you up from your lodging, the port or the airport located at the downtown Panama City area, at a time previously agreed upon. · We'll then drive for approximately 30 minutes to the Miraflores Visitor Center. · Upon arrival I'll get the admission tickets for you and offer you the possibility to head to the iMAX Theater to watch a 45 minute documentary film called "Land Divided, a World United" narrated by Morgan Freeman. The movie is a must if you want to learn & easily understand how the canal works including the interesting history behind it's construction & operation (24 / 7). · Upon exiting the theatre, we'll make our way up to the Observation Terrace where you'll witness the process in witch water lifts or lowers the ships 26 feet on each of the locks. · We'll then make our way down to the gift shop before returning to our vehicle. · I'll then drive you back to the pick-up point (between 30 to 45 minutes).
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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.
Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama
Airport: Tocumen International Airport, Balboa International Airport, Albrook Airport; Cruise: Panama Cruise Terminal; ByGuide: At the hotel lobby driveway.
27 reviews
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