Mamoni River Rafting from Panama City: Class III-IV Rapids

Class III-IV rapids and a waterfall hike on the closest white water to Panama City

Full-day white water rafting on the Mamoni River, 1.5 hours east of Panama City, with hotel pickup and drop-off. You paddle Class III-IV rapids in rafts or inflatable kayaks depending on water level, hike around the most intense sections to a waterfall, and return with lunch and all gear provided. Guides trained in white-water navigation, first-aid and CPR lead the group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day white water rafting adventure

• Pick up guests at 7:00am
• Travel 1.5 hours to launch point
• Start rafting at 9:30am
• Raft Class III-IV rapids
• Hike around Class V rapids and waterfall
• Arrive at take-out zone at 3:30pm
• Return to pickup point by 5:30pm

The experience

The day starts with pickup at 7am from your Panama City hotel. The drive to the launch point takes an hour and a half, arriving around 9:30am when you'll get fitted for gear and briefed on the river. The Mamoni was pioneered for rafting in 1998 and sits as the closest white water adventure to the city: close enough for a full day without eating up travel time. Water levels shift with the seasons: November brings the highest flow after the rainy season, while May and April run lowest after the dry season. The raft type changes with it too. December through February you'll paddle smaller 11-foot rafts or duckies (inflatable kayaks); March and April are duckies only; May through June mix smaller rafts and duckies again.

The river runs Class III-IV, moderate to intense, with a couple of Class V rapids that the guides hike you around for safety: one sits near a waterfall worth the detour on foot. You'll be back at the take-out zone by 3:30pm and dropped at your original pickup point around 5:30pm. Lunch is included midday. The whole outing runs about eleven hours door-to-door, though only the middle stretch is on the water.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Panama City.
• rafts or inflatable kayaks and all safety gear.
• transportation to the launch point.
• lunch.
• guides trained in white-water navigation, first-aid and CPR.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Last departure this season: 15 Dec

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 22

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Adventures Panama

Is this one for you?You need to be at least 18 years old and in moderate physical fitness to handle the paddling and the hike around the Class V sections. The full eleven-hour day, including the 1.5-hour drive each way, works best if you have a free day and don't mind an early 7am pickup.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the rafts and duckies on the Mamoni?

Duckies are inflatable kayaks you paddle solo or in pairs, while the rafts hold a group and you paddle together. The operator switches between them based on water level: smaller rafts and duckies run December through February and May through June, while March and April use duckies only. Both give you the same rapids and the same waterfall hike.

How intense are the Class III-IV rapids, and what happens at the Class V sections?

Class III-IV rapids are moderate to intense: technical enough to keep you engaged but not extreme. The couple of Class V rapids are too dangerous to paddle, so your guide leads the group out of the water and you hike around them on foot, passing a waterfall on the way.

When is the best time of year to raft the Mamoni?

November has the highest water level after the rainy season ends, which fills the river and creates the most dramatic flow. May and April have the lowest water after the dry season. Both work for rafting. The water level just changes which equipment the operator uses and how the rapids feel.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, all rafts or kayaks and safety gear, transportation to and from the river, guides trained in white-water navigation and first-aid, and lunch are all included. Bring a current valid passport, wear clothes you don't mind getting wet, and plan to be picked up at 7am.