About Gamboa Panama

The little town of Gamboa in Panama is a forty-minute drive away from Panama City, but unlike the latter, Gamboa feels just so remote due to the fact that it is closer to nature. This town is constructed by the Panama Canal Company in the early 1930s to provide shelter for the workers of the Panama Canal Dredging Division.

The Past

In the history Gamboa was built nearly in the former village of Sta. Cruz, were three miles the Chagres River was the town of Las Cruces. In 1855 after the completion of the Panama Railroad which ran near the Panama area, yet made no stops and no PR maps list any towns in its present location.

During canal construction Gamboa’s present day was built in 1911. The town was populated by “silver roll” workers and their dependents. Almost 700 initial settlers were previously lived in the construction areas between Gorgona and former towns of Tabernilla. Together with the towns first citizen, no Americans were counted.

Along 1914, Gamboa’s population decreased to 173 which consist of a police station, a four-family house, a two-family house and some old railroad box cars used by the house silver roll employees. 

After long years of studies and debates, Panama Canal Company moved its Dredging Division from the town of Paraiso to Gamboa in 1936. In 1933, due to the moving of Dredging Division to Gamboa, the population was 251, including just 10 Americans.

The Present

In present time Gamboa is still inhabited, but with a shadow of its old self. It remains the original headquarters of the Dredging Division of the Panama Canal Authority (formerly PCC).

The Dredging Division’s harbour is now used by light ferries to reach the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) facilities at Barro Colorado Island.

Caymans, iguanas, crocodiles and several hundred bird species are Gamboa’s residents. Gamboa is bordering to relevant tracts of undisturbed rainforest. The Pipeline Road is considered one of the best birding hikes in Panama.it is also one of the premiere bird watching sites in all of Central America.      

Image credit: www.elitemeetings.com

Information on Panama Weather: Knowing When to Go

Anyone can go to Panama whenever he pleases, but of course, it would be better if you set your vacation on your most preferred time. Here we've listed some facts on Panama’s weather and what to expect each month.

Panama lies just above the equator that’s why you can expect a tropical climate here throughout the year. Records set that an average annual temperature ranges from 24-29 degrees Celsius depending only on altitude. Expect high humidity in Panama whereas the heat becomes oppressive. 

SO, WHEN’S THE BEST TIME?

It’s been most suggested that the best time to plan your vacation on Panama is during the summer dry season, mid-December to mid-April. Take note that hotel accommodations and resorts place higher rates on their charges throughout these months. During this time, less rain is experienced. However, rainfall concerns differ in every part of the country. For example, on the Pacific side, the weather is fair and there is less possibility of rain during December or January.

Remember that outdoor pursuits highly depend on the climate outside. If you plan to do trekking or probably hiking, come during the dry season and you’ll surely have a smooth adventure.  On the other hand, if you like to do water sports or surfing, you might want to consider the offshore winds from December to mid-April. Diving is also at its best during these months where better visibility can be observed.  

On the contrary, the rainy season peaks from late May to early December. Keep in mind that rainy season doesn’t pertain to continuous heavy rain, usually the mornings are sunny and rains occur in the afternoon. T he rainiest months are October and November. The western areas in the Caribbean receive the highest amount of rainfall in the country. 

FESTIVE CONSIDERATIONS

Colorful festivities and celebrations are also one of the considerations of visitors in planning their trip to Panama. In fact, there is a common connotation to Panamanians that the only thing they take seriously is their holidays. Public facilities including businesses and offices close their establishments during festivals, and even the modes of transportation are lessened. Panama City’s Carnaval is the most revered holiday though it’s not an official holiday. Another large celebration is the Azuero Peninsula, made popular by its Carnaval (Mardi Gras).