Cave Exploration Tour

Begin with a scenic drive from Panama City to a small indigenous community on the shores of Lake Bayano. Navigate by boat to the cave entrance and feel the adrenaline as you venture into an underground river, marveling at spectacular rock formations shaped by time.

Reach an open area surrounded by towering stone walls, lush forest, and a serene lagoon, perfect for a refreshing swim. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to the community to change and head back.

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About the Tour

After a scenic drive from Panama City to a small indigenous community on the shores of Lake Bayano, we take a small boat and navigate to the entrance of the caves. This lake is quite big, and the landscape is dramatic, but the real adventure begins inside the caves, as you will immediately feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins as you walk deep into this underground river and start appreciating the most spectacular rock formations created by the hand of time.

Then we reach an open area surrounded by huge stone walls, gorgeous forest and a lagoon, where everyone is invited for a refreshing swim. We have our picnic lunch and return to the native community where you can change clothes for the drive back.

Tour Highlights

  • Beautiful scenery on Lake Bayano.
  • Impressive rock formations inside the caves.
  • Off the beaten path.

Bayano Caves Panama

Tour Details

Price: US$150 per person.

Small groups: 4 Min. – 8 Max. (larger family groups are accepted).

Includes Pick-up/drop-off from any hotel in Panama City*, all transfers (land and water), life vest, flashlights, lunch prepared by the locals (or picnic type sandwich lunch), refreshments, local guide fluent in English and Spanish.

*Dreams, Westin Playa Bonita, and Intercontinental Playa Bonita are located outside Panama City limits. Pick-up/drop-off from these hotels is available at an extra cost of US$15 per person.

Skill Level (Moderate): The tour consists of walking in and out of an underground river with uneven terrain, with sand, rocks, and some bouldering at the end until reaching the lagoon. The water level inside the caves varies depending on weather conditions, it is usually a combination of ankle level, knee level, and a couple of small pools where swimming is required (with life jackets on if you need them).

Locations: Bayano Lake and Caves.

Itinerary

  • 7:00 AM Pick-up from your hotel in Panama City.
  • Land transfer to Guna native community on Lake Bayano.
  • Boat ride on Lake Bayano to the entrance of the caves.
  • River trekking/cave exploration and lagoon.
  • Lunch prepared by the locals (or picnic-type sandwich lunch).
  • Return to the native community and transfer to your hotel in Panama City (ETA 4:30 PM).

What to wear / What to pack

  • A light shirt or t-shirt (quick dry fabrics works great)
  • Shorts/swimsuit or light long pants (avoid jeans)
  • Sport/hiking shoes (sandals or any other kind of open footwear are not recommended for walking inside the caves)
  • Towel and an extra set of clothes to change into afterward

Trip Notes:

  • Water, snack, and lunch are included; please let us know if you have dietary restrictions.
  • Clothes will get wet, and they can get dirty, don’t bring anything that you “love too much”.
  • Bring your passport (we will pass by a police checkpoint where they sometimes ask for it).
  • You will leave your personal belongings in a locked vehicle right next to a police station.
  • If you want to take pictures inside the caves, bring a waterproof camera.
  • The bathroom situation will be limited, in parts only to the great outdoors.
  • You are welcome to bring light snacks for the drive back.

(7% Panama tax not included).

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What our clients are saying

star ratingExceptional Waterfalls Hike  - Briant was our guide and he was phenomenal. We toured the waterfalls and were hosted for lunch by the most wonderful organic farming family. I am a 66 year old... Read more...

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December 21, 2022

star ratingAmazing Waterfall Hike  - We did the waterfall hike and it was superb. Don't take the description too lightly - it is not a walk in the park!! However, the guides (Alex and Alex!)... Read more...

avatar thumb Adventure402343
May 24, 2022

star rating11 days with 5 persons are all went smoothly - Great 11 day trip for the family
Started with Briant in Panama city
We have several day trips to various surrounding areas
Then 4 days in Bocas del toro... Read more...

avatar thumb V4001SDmarkw
January 5, 2024

star ratingFun and educational tour  - We had a fantastic time on the Panama Canal Wildlife tour. Briant was an engaging, knowledgeable guide and took time to point out all the different types of birds and... Read more...

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January 12, 2023

star ratingAffordable custom private tour  - We had a customized tour for 6ppl which included 3 couples. It included pick up and drop off at our hotel, monkey island, rainforest walk, old town, lunch included... Read more...

avatar thumb Fearless813913
February 21, 2023

star ratingXPLORA TOURS are AMAZING!!!  - Our Bayano Cave tour was INCREDIBLE! Alex, our guide and who I felt became our friend, and with a second personal guide Manuel, who shared his land and culture with... Read more...

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October 7, 2022

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