Ngabe Tours — Local services in Bocas del Toro

SCAM COMPANY. Almost comical how much of a con this is. They swarmed us as we exited the airport after landing and told us prices for taxi/boat to Bocas. We took the taxi and of course before getting on the boat we had to visit their office and be told about every available tour they offer.

We paid there and then for our return boat/taxi for 5 days time and took his number.

Few days later we called him and he said they would give us Monkey island, Starfish beach as well as everything included on the snorkel tour our hotel provided for 20 dollars less so obviously we chose to take the deal.

First stop sloth island. No sloths in sight. He had said that may be the case so didnt matter, fair enough.

get to monkey island. Closed. pen everyday from 10-12.

So we said starfish beach next and got told were not going there we are just going to pull over the boat and show you some starfish. so we saw 3 or 4 starfish you could see in any country.

Then the boat driver didnt want to take us to the dolphins because the tour company had not actually provided him with our itinerary so he wouldnt have to pay as much fuel. he agreed to take us but said theres an 18% chance you will see any dolphins.

they obviously knew monkey islands hours and never planned on taking us anywhere mentioned so we paid double the price of the tour all the hotels offer and received the same things without the extra thins we paid for.

no refund was offered.

on our pre booked return trip to Bocas my family had 2 separate groups flying. The company was 40 minutes late collecting the first.

we were later and waited 20 minutes. during this time another boat arrived asked if we needed a lift and we said we paid peter al ready and he smiled and said 2 times hes seen people waiting for a boat fro peter and its just never turned up and explained he has a reputation as a conman. This was verified by another driver and the greeter on the deck. He kindly waited with us until the boat turned up to make sure we get back to our flight.

our boat was 20 minutes late and when we arrived at Bocas we got told we needed to pay for the taxi we al ready paid for.

we knew they would try this cus my family leaving earlier had the same issue.

I said we al ready paid and you didnt provide half the things on the tour we paid for and he was just swigging an energy drink shrugging saying we took you and it was closed so its not our fault.

we just walked to the airport and they kept the money from activities and taxi we never received,

Do not book here cus you will get ripped off not receive what...

Not worth one star, not worth five stars. Sort of have mixed reviews. Armondo rode with us in a taxi from the airport and offered us a “full day” 5 stop location site seeing tour to zapatilla beach, starfish beach, snorkeling and a chance to see some wild life and a lunch stop. We paid $50 per person not reading reviews and comparing prices around town (our bad) once we got to the hotel and read reviews of this company we were a little on edge but decided to remain optimistic because it was what is was. Armondo said pick up Time was 9:30- they were an hour and a half late with our hotel concierge calling and trying to help us. The tour itself didn’t pick us up rather a taxi service that hauled a** to meet up with the tour group and another boat that we transferred to. You stop at a restive in the middle of the ocean to preorder food (15-20$) a plate. Same as every other tour company. Then we spent two lovely hours at zapatilla beach #2. Have a chance to see sloths, iguana etc. picked us up after and took us to restaurant. We knew we had to pay as per what Armondo said to us. However keep in mind some people were under the impression food was all inclusive. We didn’t know if people heard what they wanted to hear because of a language barrier or if the sales people sold and promised them false hopes to make a few bucks. For us we knew. Then we went snorkeling. We were promised star fish beach, instead took us to a little mangrove where we saw “lots of starfish” we we did, just not at the place we expected. Getting back to our lodge was confusing. The captain of the boat did not know he had to take us back to our lodge. As Armondo states pickup and drop off was included. Instead he took us to the taxi port and we switched to a taxi service to take us back. Paid extra $20 for two to get back to punta caracol. All in all great day, can’t say anything back other than lacks communication and professionalism because they were late. But got us to where we wanted in the end. We chalked it up to island time and everything is at a take it easy pace. If you expect prompt service I don’t...

Stay away! I needed a boat ride to a cacao farm excursion and I was given a price of $90 for 2 people for a taxi service the excursion providers use. I was all set to go with them, but on the way back to our house we were stopped by people in front of Ngabe Tours kiosk trying to sell us excursions. We explained we already had an excursion planned for tomorrow and a ride all set up. I asked them how much they would charge to take us to the cacao excursion, though. They said $60 for 2 people, so I said OK, it's only a taxi, what could go wrong. Well, I should have just stayed with the original $90 taxi. They swore up and down they knew exactly where the cacao farm was. I asked them at least 3 different times, including the day off and they said yes. Well, that was a lie! We were close to 45 minutes late for our excursion because, as it turns out, they had no clue where they needed to go. We stopped at 2 different places before finally arriving at our destination. We were also late because they picked up another group and went right back to the starting dock to drop them off when we were already on the boat on our way to our excursion. That added another 15 minutes to our schedule. They also tell you that they will wait for you until you're done, which the driver did, but he was not happy about it at all. Definitely showed and voiced his displeasure at having to wait so long. I didn't ask you to do that, that is what you guys said you do, so I did not understand the anger. Bottom line, they'll tell you anything they think you need to hear to make a sale. Once reeled in, they do not care. Also, if you still decide to book, despite all the negative comments, DO NOT, under any circumstances, pay for your trip in full. Just leave a small deposit as you will have a very hard time getting any money back if the weather is not up to par or for any other reason and you need to cancel. I know some people have given good reviews, but that's far and few between. I wish I had read the reviews prior to doing business with them as I would have definitely...