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Looking for the best tour of the famous Panama Canal?
Checking out the Panama Canal tops our list of things to do in Panama City. We actually didn’t know a ton about it before we visited, but now that we’ve tried out a few tours, we definitely know our stuff!
A canal tour is a popular activity in Panama City, so it can be hard to know where to start. But don’t worry, because we’ve scouted out the best options for you. Whether you’re looking for a tour focusing on history, wildlife, or a private experience, we’ve got you covered.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this combo Panama Canal and jungle tour. You cruise along the canal, pass by Monkey Island, picnic with a view at San Lorenzo National Park, and tour a historic fort.
This tour is VERY popular and you can check out the 1,275+ reviews and book it here!
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot and get FREE cancellation!
1. Full-Day Panama Canal and Jungle Tour
- Price: $135 USD
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 6:30 am
- Highlights: Panama Canal cruise, passing by Monkey Island, stop at Agua Clara Visitor Center, visit the rainforest at San Lorenzo National Park, tour and picnic at Fort San Lorenzo
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water, lunch, boat ride, San Lorenzo entry fee
- Pickup from: Central Panama City, other areas available for an extra $15 USD
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,250+ reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This Panama Canal and jungle tour is easily our top choice because we actually got to cruise along the famous canal rather than just admire it from afar! Plus, we saw tons of wildlife and got to visit a historic fort. We loved every second.
We were picked up bright and early, which meant that we got out on the canal before most other tour boats. This meant that we spotted tons of creatures along the canal, like parrots, sloths, and dolphins, who are generally most active in the morning. Plus, we enjoyed the cooler temperatures!
Next, we cruised into Lake Gatun, where we got to sail around Monkey Island. Tourists aren’t allowed to set foot on the island, but we got to see a ton of monkeys from the boat. Some of them even came right up to our vessel! So if you love wildlife as much as we do, then you won’t want to miss this tour!
We also got to visit the Agua Clara Visitor Center, and finally, San Lorenzo National Park. Here, we saw more wildlife and got a tour of Fort San Lorenzo, which is a must for history lovers. We weren’t sure how interesting the fort would be, to be honest, but it was beautiful and all of the stories that our guide told us about pirate attacks had us enthralled. Then, the day ended on a high note with a picnic at the fort with a seriously scenic backdrop.
We really can’t praise this tour enough. It was rich with both history AND wildlife, so I would highly recommend it to any type of traveler. We had a blast from start to finish and it was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had in Panama City. It’s super popular, though, and it does sell out, so I highly recommend booking in advance!
Grab your spot on our FAVORITE Panama Canal tour here!
2. Half-Day Private Tour of Historic Center of Panama and Canal
- Price: $80 USD
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Time: 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, or 2 pm
- Highlights: Visit to Miraflores lock and the Canal Museum, guided walk through the Old City, visit to the scenic Amadores Causeway
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup, private transport, bottled water and soda
- Pickup from: Panama City center
- Rating: 5 stars (check 350+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re short on time in Panama, then I think that this half-day private tour is absolutely perfect. It covers all of the highlights in just 4-5 hours and is such a great way to get acquainted with Panama City. In fact, I would recommend booking this tour for your first day here!
Since this is a private tour, it can be tailored to your liking, but I’ll run through the basic itinerary. It begins with a visit to the Miraflores Visitor Center, where there’s a museum to check out. We really liked seeing the canal from the huge viewing deck here.
Then, it’s onto the Old City – aka Casco Viejo or San Felipe – which was our favorite part of the day! The colonial architecture and old churches here offer a pretty striking contrast from the big skyscrapers that dominate the rest of Panama City. Checking out this area is a must, because it’s way more charming and quaint than the rest of the city.
Finally, we visited the Amador Causeway, which is a long, scenic road that hugs the Pacific coast. It’s one of our favorite parts of the city, and a true must-visit! We loved the views of the city’s skyline from here, and there are some great bars and restaurants around. There’s also a huge duty free shop here, so don’t miss that if you’re keen to snag a bargain.
I highly recommend this tour because it offers a fantastic overview of what Panama City is all about, and it’s easy to fit into your itinerary, even if you’re short on time. Plus, Ernesto was a truly incredible guide; he was just so warm and friendly. It truly is the perfect tour for first-time visitors to Panama City.
Book this private tour here to access the pay later option!
Related Read: Check out some of our other favorite experiences with this list of our top 10 tours in Panama City!
3. Panama Canal Boat Cruise
- Price: $155 USD
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: 9:30 am
- Highlights: Boat cruise along the Panama Canal, cruise through the Pedo Miguel and Miraflores Locks, see Centennial Bridge and Bridge of the Americas, lunch on board
- Inclusions: Transport between the cruise dock and Panama City, boat ride, lunch, tea, coffee, soft drinks
- Pickup from: Meeting point in Panama City
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you want a tour that focuses solely on the Panama Canal, then this tour is the ideal option for you! You’ll be driven out to Gamboa where you’ll board a cruise that showcases what a true feat of engineering the Panama Canal is.
I really like that this tour goes so in-depth, and the fact that you get about 4 hours on the boat! I think that everyone who visits Panama City should try to do a canal cruise, and this one is especially ideal for those who are interested in history and engineering.
The cruise goes through the Gaillard Cut, an artificial channel, as well as the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. There are two big observation decks on board the boat so you can take in all the views, and there’s a bar on board in case you fancy a beer to boot!
The Miraflores Lock Visitor Center gets pretty busy, but with this tour you get to escape the crowds, and you get to see the locks from a totally different perspective. I think that they are way more impressive when seen from the water!
Our guide, Edwin, offered insightful commentary in both English and Spanish. He’s a local who was born and raised in Panama City, so we really enjoyed listening to his anecdotes and hearing his insider’s perspective on the canal and its surroundings.
Moreover, this cruise is a very relaxing way to sightsee! It’s also a great option for those who aren’t up for a ton of walking. Really, the only downside to this tour is that it only runs on Sundays, and Fridays from December to March. This means that it usually sells out, so we strongly recommend booking in advance!
Get free cancellation when you book this tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Private or Small Group Tour of the City and Panama Canal
- Price: $60 – $97 USD
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 7:30 am, 10 am, or 1 pm
- Highlights: Old City tour, Panama Canal, Causeway Amador, driving over the Bridge of the Americas, shopping at the Artisan Market, visit to Miraflores
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, bottled water, guide
- Pickup from: Central Panama City
- Rating: 5 star (check 345 reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
One great thing about this tour in Panama City is that you can make it a small group or a private tour, according to your budget and group size – who doesn’t love flexible options? Either way, it’s a very personalized experience and we love the fact that it can be tailored to you.
So if you want a tour that allows you to linger for longer in places you’re interested in and skip the spots that you’re not too fussed about, this is it!
I think that it’s got a great itinerary that covers all of the city’s must-see spots, including Casco Viejo (aka the Old City) and the Amador Causeway, which I loved visiting. It also stops at the Artisan Market, which is a fantastic opportunity to grab some souvenirs, which are handmade by local Indigenous artists.
And of course, the highlight of the tour is visiting the Miraflores Visitor Center, where we loved viewing the canal from the giant observation deck. You can even watch an IMAX movie about the construction of the canal, which is narrated by none other than Morgan Freeman!
This tour has glowing reviews and we think it’s a fantastic way to learn about the famous canal, while also experiencing the best of what the city has to offer. It visits spots that other tours miss and if you have a large group, it’s also a really cost-effective way to do a private tour. In fact, it’s one of the most competitively priced tours out there, so don’t wait too long to snap up this bargain!
Book this customizable tour easily here!
5. 6-Hour Panama City and Canal Private or Small Group Tour
- Price: $67 – $95 USD
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: Multiple departure times available between 7 am – 4 pm
- Highlights: Miraflores Visitor Center, Amador Causeway, Casco Viejo, Bridge of the Americas viewpoint, Artisan Market
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, guide, bottled water
- Pickup from: Central Panama City or Playa Bonita
- Rating: 5 stars (check 240 reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Lots of visitors only stop in Panama City for a day or so on a layover, so if that’s the case for you, then we think that this is the ideal tour for you! It covers all of the must-see highlights in just 6 hours, so you can well and truly say that you’ve visited Panama City, even if you don’t have long here!
The day kicks off with a tour around the charming Old City, which for us was a real highlight of our time in Panama City. Here, we really got a sense of the city’s history and saw a totally different side to the place. Next up is a visit to Miradores Visitor Center to see the canal, which is an absolute must for any visitor to Panama City. Even if you’re only here on a layover, you just can’t miss this!
I also love the fact that this tour visits the Amadores Causeway, because I loved gazing out at all of the downtown skyscrapers across the water here. The tour also visits a viewpoint where you can snap amazing photos of the Bridge of the Americas, and a monument that commemorates 150 years of Chinese migration to Panama. This was so interesting and introduced me to a side of the city’s history that I previously had no idea about.
If you’re only going to be in Panama on a short layover, I really cannot recommend this tour enough. This is actually one of the only Panama canal tours that picks up from the city’s two international airports.
Book now to ensure you don’t miss out on this tour!
Related Read: Ready for an island getaway next? Our tips for visiting the San Blas Islands from Panama will come in handy!
Where to Stay in Panama City, Panama
To take in all the best things to do in Panama City, you’ll definitely want to stay a few nights. It’s a big city though with lots of choices for places to stay. We’ve narrowed it down to our top picks for every budget so you can put up your feet after a day of exploring in some comfy accommodations!
American Trade Hotel – $$$
American Trade Hotel is the most famous and luxurious hotel in Panama City. This hotel has housed many famous people over the years but unfortunately for me, I only saw the hotel from the outside. Rooms here start around $250 USD per night but are HUGE and very luxurious! You can feel like a VIP by booking your own stay online here.
Magnolia Inn – $$
If you’re in the medium budget range then the Magnolia Inn is the best option available within Casco Viejo. The hotel has really good reviews and the location is perfect. Not to mention, the building is a restored French-style manor that’s a great example of stunning colonial architecture!
Private rooms start under $100 USD per night or there are bunks in dorm rooms for as cheap as $19 USD. Check availability and book on Booking.com.
Bodhi Panama City – $
Located in the trendy and fun neighborhood of Marbella, Bodhi Panama City is my hostel of choice! It’s set in a beautiful building (with an outdoor pool!) and there are both private rooms and bunks. The bunks have privacy curtains and lockers underneath and the kitchen is big which is great for cooking meals.
You can grab a bunk here for around $16 USD or there are private rooms starting around $30 USD. You can also easily book on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com to find the best deals!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
A tour of the Panama Canal is a must while you’re here, but you want to make sure you choose a good one! All of the tours on our list are highly rated and come with great extras that really add to the experience. Hopefully, you found the perfect one for your time in Panama City!
While you’re traveling around, have a look through all our blogs on Central America for ideas and inspiration on the best places, tours, and things to do while you’re in this part of the world.
21 BEST Places to Visit in Central America