The Smithsonian Institute offers daily tours to Isla Barro Colorado, which is the largest forested island in the Panama Canal Waterway and home of the Smithsonian biological station. The trip includes round-trip boat transportation (45 minute ride each way), a buffet lunch and guided tour. Trips departs from Gamboa at 7:15 a.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. weekends, and depart the island at 3:40 weekdays and 2:30 weekends. The tour/walk lasts approx. 2.5 - 3 hours, and includes explanations about what you see during your hike.
The trip to Isla Barro Colorado costs $70.00 for foreign visitors and $40.00 for foreign students. Cash and credit cards are accepted for payments. For further information we recommend you contact the Smithsonian Institute at (tel. 212-8951). Or, you can also visit their web site at http://www.stri.si.edu/english/visit_us/barro_colorado/index.php, where you can obtain additional information about the trip to the Isla Barro Colorado.
It is recommended you bring the following: t-shirt or light, long sleeved shirt, long pants, hat, passport or student ID, ticket issued by STRI, socks or walking shoes, bottle of water, and rain jacket. Optional: pencil, notebook, binoculars, camera, change of clothing, insect repellent, masking tape to tape socks over pants.