Robtad's or My Friend Mario? Anything recent?

We are planning to visit just the Gatun old and new locks 12/15 and would like to know if anyone has used Robtad's or My Friend Mario pretty recently.

Any other referrals to private guides also appreciated.

We just went with Robtad's this last February.

I would highly, HIGHLY recommend him!

When he's not leading tours he actually works at the Locks facility and not only knows so much about it but conveys it in an interesting way. (Mechanical workings are not my "thing" and even I found it interesting.

He is such a gentleman.

As you can probably tell, I just can't say enough good things about our day with him!

Just had my friend mario great company did the private tour! With it not much more! Took is to locks and Panama City

Have you had any luck contacting Robtad's. I have emailed twice and have not received a reply. Thank you.

I would not highly recommend my friend Mario. He seemed like a nice guy, and would do anything to make things right. HOWEVER when we got off the boat, despite our confirmation in hand, we were put in the wrong group. There were a lot of groups with him that day hat had all been organized with one lady from our ship and he over sold most of them. So, while we ended up in the right spot, he had to grab another bus and guide off the street for us and the 6 other people that didn't fit on the other tour. Our "new" guide was good, but he didn't know where he was supposed to be taking us. Thankfully I had everything printed. We did the locks and beach break. Nice surprise was waiting for us at the beach break as they had lunch for everyone that was not advertised. So while it turned out ok, I wonder how much better it might have been if a) we didn't stand around waiting forever at the start and getting on and off 3 different busses, b) the guide knew where he was supposed to take us...

Have you had any luck contacting Robtad's. I have emailed twice and have not received a reply. Thank you.

I have booked his tour on 12/1 (Infinity) without any problem and he (Roberto) is very quick on returning my email.:)

Have you had any luck contacting Robtad's. I have emailed twice and have not received a reply. Thank you.

I have booked his tour on 12/1 (Infinity) without any problem and he (Roberto) is very quick on returning my email.:)

He was also very prompt with all of our group's emails.

Check that you have the correct email for him.

We used My Friend Mario for a private Panama City Tour (for 2 of us) in March. His response to e-mails was immediate. When we got off the ship, our guide was there with a sign with our name on it. However, he told us another couple had already left with our original tour guide (and it looked as though there was to have been another couple with us on tour, which is not what I had booked.) At any rate, we two went with Louis, our guide, who was excellent. His enthusiasm for Panama and for showing us his country was wonderful, and we really enjoyed our tour.

It appears MFM has some logistical problems to work out at times. However, I would still recommend his tours, if our Panama City private tour is typical of the quality of his tours.

We are planning to visit just the Gatun old and new locks 12/15 and would like to know if anyone has used Robtad's or My Friend Mario pretty recently.

 

Any other referrals to private guides also appreciated.

Last month 5 of us took one of Marios private tours, it was just a few dollars more then the group tour. We weren't sure exactly what we wanted to see or do....hands down it ended up to be the best tour we have ever taken in 20 cruises, from the canal to the old Army barracks, Captain Morgan's fort, to seeing sloths, monkeys and toucan, one of my friends wanted fresh pineapple and the next thing we knew, we were pulling up to the Rangers station with a platter waiting for us. For the small amount of time we had while our cruise ship was in port, we felt we had plenty of time at each stop with no rush. The tour guide was great and so was the driver...I can't even say enough great things about Them.....we had a truly AMAZING day!!

Robtads was very prompt in replying to our emails. He did a great job for us. I have lots of photos in our review on our website. I would highly recommend him. You might want to send him an email from a different email account. I have had issues in the past where my Comcast email didn't get through; but Gmail did fine.

We were on a privately arranged group of 14 people from our April 2015 Celebrity Infinity tour. We had Edwin from Robtads show us around the locks, expansion locks, visitor centers, drive from Colon to Panama City and a brief lunch stop too. He's very knowledgeable and accommodating of whatever needs you have. This is only a side job, as his day job is escorting VIPs who officially visit the Panama Canal. Would definitely recommend Robtads!

I apologize in advance if I am just not seeing it - but I can't seem to find Robtad's website. Can someone please give me the web address? I have seen the email address a few places but I would like to actually see what tours are offered. Thanks in advance for any help.

He doesn't have a website.

Email him and ask for a list of his tours.

This is what he sent me for last February:

Thanks for the interest you have shown in Robtad´s and for contacting me to help assist you in your visit to Colon, on February 7th,............. Yes, I am available for that date and among some of the tours that I offer that I am sure that you will enjoy are the following:

Option #1: Gatun locks and the New Locks Construction Site. First we will take the 25 minute journey to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. In this tour you will get to see the ships passing thru the largest set of locks of the Canal (Gatun). At Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion ($5.00 entrance fee) and you will be able to see and understand how a ship is raised up 85 feet (26 meters) in three steps from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to the level of what was once the largest manmade lake in the world, Gatun Lake. If you are lucky, you will also see the first ships that started their transit on the Pacific side being lowered back down to sea level.

After this we will travel 15 minutes to visit the area where the new set of locks is under construction to the newly inaugurated Visitor’s Pavilion overlooking the construction site of the new set of locks ($15.00 entrance fee). This Atlantic Locks Observation Center is suspended 60 meters above sea level and 50 meters above the Canal and it has natural trails that visitors can use to wander into the rainforest. From here the visitors have a splendid view of Gatun Lake, the Canal and the future as the construction of the new set of locks is ongoing. This is a three hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people that join us: $160 (1-4 pax); $40/pax (5– 7 pax); $35/pax (8-13 pax) and $30/pax (+14 pax).

Option #2: Grand Tour (Two Oceans and Three Locks): First we will take the 25 minute journey to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. In this tour you will get to see the ships passing thru the largest set of locks of the Canal (Gatun). At Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion ($5.00 entrance fee) and you will be able to see and understand how a ship is raised up 85 feet (26 meters) in three steps from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to the level of what was once the largest manmade lake in the world, Gatun Lake. If you are lucky, you will also see the first ships that started their transit on the Pacific side being lowered back down to sea level.

After this you will take the highway and travel 50 minutes to Panama City. You will then pass through the rainforest and take the Centennial Bridge to cross over the Canal at its highest point at Gaillard or Culebra Cut and travel from South America to North America, B4 passing thru the former Canal Zone area and then you will go to the Amador Causeway; 3 islands (Naos, Perico and Flamenco) that were united with much of the material that was excavated from the Canal at Gaillard Cut to see the skyline of city at its farthest point.

After this we will go into the Casco Antiguo or Colonial City. It was founded in 1673 as a replacement for the previous capital in ruins, which was destroyed two years earlier during the English Captain Henry Morgan’s attack. The Casco Antiguo is full of historic monuments such as the Cathedral, the national theater, the historic Golden Altar, the Presidential Palace, and stroll historic Las Bovedas, which is a beautiful walkway where you can find the history of the French Canal engraved in the walls on the lower part of the walkway.

In this tour you will have the opportunity to also visit Modern Panama City B4 we return to the ship. This is a six hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people that join us: $260 (1-4 pax); $65/pax (5-7 pax); $60/pax (8-13 pax) and $55/pax (+14 pax)

Option #3: Gatun Locks and Portobelo: First we will drive about 55 minutes to the East to the historic city of Portobelo, It's here where you'll find the Customs house, built in the 1600s, to house all the goods coming into Panamá from Spain, and all the Inca gold and silver going out. There are three Spanish forts from which the Spaniards defended Portobelo. The customs house has been recently restored and now also serves as a museum. ($5.00 entrance fee). In Portobelo, you'll also find the church of the Black Christ. This is the site of one of the most important annual religious holidays in Panama as people make pilgrimages here every October 21 from all over Panama and Central America.

Secondly, we will travel to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. In this tour you will get to see the ships passing thru the largest set of locks of the Canal (Gatun). At Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion ($5.00 entrance fee) and you will be able to see and understand how a ship is raised up 85 feet (26 meters) in three steps from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to the level of what was once the largest manmade lake in the world, Gatun Lake. If you are lucky, you will also see the first ships that started their transit on the Pacific side being lowered back down to sea level.

This is a four hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people that join us: $180 (1-4 pax); $45/pax (5-7); $40/pax (8-13 pax) and $35/pax (+14 pax).

If you are into adventure sports, a canopy zip line , river tubing, or horseback riding and can also be included in this tour for an additional$100 (1-4 pax); $25/pax (5 – 7 pax); $20/pax (8-13 pax) and $15/pax (+14 pax).

Rio Piedra is known for one of the finest canopy tour sites in Panama, featuring 9 cables along its course of tree-top zip-lines.

Panama Outdoor Adventure Canopy Zipline Tour ($45/pax) is fast, fun, and exhilarating; 1-1.5 hour spectacular adventure that offers nature lovers and thrill seekers alike, a unique opportunity to zip through the treetops on a network of cables and adventure sky bridges suspended high above the forest floor, overlooking the jungle and river.

The site that Panama Outdoor Adventures sits on is surrounded by the Rio Piedra, or “Stony River”. The river encompasses almost the entire property in a large loop and offers a great view of the surrounding jungle where you can view plant and animal life unique to Central America and Panama.

River Tubing. ( $20/pax) Enjoy splashing, swimming, swinging from one of the rope swings, or just floating along as the world passes you by. Visitors may rent an inner tube to float on and guides will accompany you as you soak in tranquility. Deep pools along the river allow for rope swing fun as well as just cooling off after some zip line adventures.

Option #4: Gatun Locks and Fort San Lorenzo: First we will take the 25 minute journey to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. At Gatun Locks there is also a vehicular swing bridge that opens and closes due to the ships entering/leaving the locks and you will have the opportunity actually walk from South America to North America on this swing bridge. After crossing over to North America we will travel about half-hour to the west -- on the other side of Gatun locks to Fort San Lorenzo ($5.00 entrance fee). It's a very historic fort built in the 1600's - 1700's by the Spanish at the mouth of the Chagres River. This fort was sacked, and the Spanish soldiers slaughtered, by the English privateer Henry Morgan prior to crossing the isthmus to attack and sack Panama City. The view is spectacular and very scenic and the ruins are very interesting.

We will then return to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks were you will not only get to see the ships passing thru the largest set of locks of the Canal (Gatun), but you will also have the opportunity to see the area where the new set of locks is under construction and should be completed in 2014. In Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion ($5.00 entrance fee) and you will be able to see and understand how a ship is raised up 85 feet (26 meters) in three steps from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to the level of what was once the largest manmade lake in the world, Gatun Lake. If you are lucky, you will also see the first ships that started their transit on the Pacific side being lowered back down to sea level.

This is a four hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people that join us: $180 (1-4 pax); $45/pax (5-7); $40/pax (8-13 pax) and $35/pax (+14 pax)

Option #5: Gatun Locks and Colon City Tour: First we will take the 25 minute journey to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. In this tour you will get to see the ships passing thru the largest set of locks of the Canal (Gatun). At Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion ($5.00 entrance fee) and you will be able to see and understand how a ship is raised up 85 feet (26 meters) in three steps from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to the level of what was once the largest manmade lake in the world, Gatun Lake. If you are lucky, you will also see the first ships that started their transit on the Pacific side being lowered back down to sea level.

The city tour of Colon will take you to see the former Canal Zone area (Gatun, Ft. Gulick (the former School of the Americas), Margarita, Rainbow City) and the city of Colon itself. This is a three hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people in your party: $160 (1-4 pax); $40/pax (5– 7 pax); $35/pax (8-13 pax) and $30/pax (+14 pax).

Option #6: Gatun locks and the Embera Indian Village: First we will take the 25 minute journey to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. In this tour you will get to see the ships passing thru the largest set of locks of the Canal (Gatun). At Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion ($5.00 entrance fee) and you will be able to see and understand how a ship is raised up 85 feet (26 meters) in three steps from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to the level of what was once the largest manmade lake in the world, Gatun Lake. If you are lucky, you will also see the first ships that started their transit on the Pacific side being lowered back down to sea level.

After this we will take the 45 minute drive to an Embera Indian Village on the Gatun River ($45.00 entrance fee). The Gatun River flows through the rain forest on it’s way to Gatun Lake. Along the banks of the river and the lake live the Embera Indians. The Embera Indians still live much as they did hundreds of years ago. Panama has a diverse and culturally rich indigenous population. The Indian’s have managed to preserve much of their culture and traditions and still live in harmony with their natural surroundings in the rain forest. We will take a 30 minute boat ride to visit one of the Embera Indian villages where you will be greeted by the Indian Chief and watch a demonstration of native dances, rituals and healing ceremonies. You will also be invited to visit (and purchase) at the handcraft market. Enjoy seeing another side of Panama by visiting with her native people. The Embera people wear minimal clothing; women do not cover their breasts. This is a six hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people that join us: $200 (1-4 pax); $50/pax (5-7 pax); $45/pax (8-13 pax) and $40/pax (+14 pax).

Option #7: Gatun locks and La Granja Campo y Aventura (The Farm, Field and Adventure): First we will take the 25 minute journey to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. In this tour you will get to see the ships passing thru the largest set of locks of the Canal (Gatun). At Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion ($5.00 entrance fee) and you will be able to see and understand how a ship is raised up 85 feet (26 meters) in three steps from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to the level of what was once the largest manmade lake in the world, Gatun Lake. If you are lucky, you will also see the first ships that started their transit on the Pacific side being lowered back down to sea level.

After this we will travel 40 minutes to La Granja Campo y Aventura (The Farm, Field and Adventure). La Granja is an ecological farm where they mix entertainment, amusement, culture and adventure with the daily chores performed on a farm. It is an entire thematic park where they conjugate the agricultural thing and adventure. They offer Agro-Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Adventure tourism, canopy (zip-ling), horseback riding, extreme biking, fishing and boat tours on Gatun Lake. It is located on the banks of Gatun Lake five miles from the city of Colon.

This is a four hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people that join us: $180 (1-4 pax); $45/pax (5-7); $40/pax (8-13 pax) and $35/pax (+14 pax).

Option #8: Querra Embera Indian Village: First we will take the 35 minute drive to the Gatun River dock. After this we will be met by some member od the Querra Indian tribe and we will board an authentic Indian canoe and travel 30 minutes on Gatun River to the Querra Embera Indian Village ($45.00 entrance fee). The Gatun River flows through the rain forest on it’s way to Gatun Lake. Along the banks of the river and Gatun Lake live the Embera Indians. The Embera Indians still live much as they did hundreds of years ago. Panama has a diverse and culturally rich indigenous population. The Indian’s have managed to preserve much of their culture and traditions and still live in harmony with their natural surroundings in the rain forest. We will take a 30 minute boat ride to visit one of the Embera Indian villages where you will be greeted by the Indian Chief and watch a demonstration of native dances, rituals and healing ceremonies. You will also be invited to visit (and purchase) at the handcraft market. Enjoy seeing another side of Panama by visiting with her native people. The Embera people wear minimal clothing; women do not cover their breasts. This is a five hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people that join us: $160 (1-4 pax); $40/pax (5-7 pax); $35/pax (8-13 pax) and $30/pax (+14 pax)

Option #9: Portobelo and Isla Grande: First we will drive about 55 minutes to the East to the historic city of Portobelo, It's here where you'll find the Customs house, built in the 1600s, to house all the goods coming into Panamá from Spain, and all the Inca gold and silver going out. There are three Spanish forts from which the Spaniards defended Portobelo The customs house has been recently restored and now also serves as a museum. ($5.00 entrance fee). In Portobelo, you'll also find the church of the Black Christ. This is the site of one of the most important annual religious holidays in Panama as people make pilgrimages here every October 21 from all over Panama and Central America.

Secondly, we will travel another 55 minutes to La Guaira where we will leave our vehicle and hop on a boat to ride across to the island Isla Grande. Isla Grande is a popular place in Panama because of its seclusion, and beauty. People from all places come to the island to enjoy the water, snorkling, fishing, listening to the sea and skinny dipping(at night mostly).The island's name does not really reflect it's size, but in comparison to the other islands that surround it, it is the biggest island. This is a six hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people that join us: $240 (1-4 pax); $60/pax (5-7 pax); $55/pax (8-13 pax) and $50/pax (+14 pax)

Karen, if you want, a visit to see the area where the new set of locks is under construction from the newly inaugurated Visitor’s Pavilion overlooking the construction site of the new set of locks ($15.00 entrance fee) can be included in tour Options 2-7 for an additional $15/pax.

All of our vehicles are fully air-conditioned and our fleet includes: six passenger Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV and Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, minivans; 15 passenger Toyota, HI-ACE mini busses that seat twelve passengers comfortably and 29 passenger TOYOTA, COASTER mini busses especially designed for tourism that are capable of seating 24 passengers comfortably.

All of the tours that are offered are custom - made not only to meet the needs of our clients, but we strive to surpass all of their expectations! If you desire, an hourly rate can also be arranged with a minimum of two hours and four pax required: $120 (1-4 pax); +5 pax ($15/pax/hr).

The name of our company is “Robtad’s” and we strive not only to meet the needs of our clients, but to surpass their expectations! All our tours are custom made and I can assure you that if you are not satisfied with any one of them, you do not have to pay us anything for the tours. No deposits are needed and all payments will be done in cash (U.S Dollars) upon finalizing the tour if you are satisfied. Panama´s official currency is the Balboa, which is a coin and it is equivalent to one U.S dollar. Panama does not have a paper bill and the U.S. dollar is used as our legal tender since 1904.

You can contact us at the following phone numbers: (507) 442-2499 office; (507) 6875-3683; (507) 6725-7563; mobile.

Hoping to help you enjoy your stay in the port of Colon!

Best regards,

Roberto

Thanks so much for the info Chamima!! I really appreciate it. Did you decide to go with Robtad's? And if so, which tour did you book and thoughts about it. Thanks!

We did and are so, so happy we did.

We have been in this area at least 3 times previously and have been to 2 different Embera Indian villages (which I would recommend as my first choice of things to do) twice and a city tour of the area once.

We sailed through the Canal 3 times but have never been to see the operation (and we wanted to see the new locks under construction before they became operational) so we chose tour #1.

I am not a technical person and usually have little interest in this type of thing but Roberto made the explanation so interesting and added little things at every stop that made the day not only extremely interesting but really memorable as well.

I can't recommend him highly enough.

Book him. You will be so happy you did!

I see a lot of people have liked this tour company, but I can't seem to find the email address for them. Can someone post it here? thanks.

I see a lot of people have liked this tour company, but I can't seem to find the email address for them. Can someone post it here? thanks.

It is: robtads2@hotmail.com

It is: robtads2@hotmail.com

Thank you:)

I've read this thread with fascination. From other posts, it seems that we must book a ship's excursion for the Panama Canal, Colon day on our partial transit with Princess. Yet here you are discussing a private tour!

Is there a method to book a private tour for this port?

I think what you have here is the people who are discussing private tours are on cruises that call at Colon in addition to a Canal transit or just call at Colon without a transit. I know when Princess (and HAL) call at Colon they do so only in conjunction with a partial transit. On the other hand Celebrity offers a full day stop at Colon in addition to the transit on most of their Canal cruises whereas Princess and HAL on the Canal cruises when they offer a full day stop in conjunction with a transit, do so on the Pacific side at Ft. Amador.