Day Trips from Panama City to Panama Canal

Panama’s location connecting Central and South America makes it a wonderful place for unique wildlife viewing. Spend a day outside of Panama City and explore the country’s natural landscape with this day trip. Your bi-lingual guide will take you to the Gamboa rainforest region where you’ll get up close and personal with wildlife. You’ll also pay a visit to a sloth sanctuary to learn about these rescued animals.

Join us on a tour of the lesser visited Fort San Lorenzo on the Caribbean Coast of Panama and the Agua Clara Panama Canal locks. At 7:00am your English speaking driver and tour guide will meet you at your Panama City lodging from where you will continue on towards the Agua Clara Locks, located about 1.5 hours away, on the Caribbean side of the country. Visitors can take their time here and watch the gigantic ships passing through the locks below. Stroll through the visitor center, watch an informational video, or hike on the nearby rainforest trail. Learn about how engineers were able to raise Gatun Lake, built new locks, and widened existing channels to accommodate the massive New Panamax ships. At around 10:00am, we continue to the Fort San Lorenzo, arriving by 11:00am. Marvel in the rich history of the well preserved ruins as your guide explains the colorful history of this historic landmark. At 12:00pm we return to Panama City and will arrive back at your hotel by 1:00pm.

Travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during this full-day tour of the Panama Canal. With your local guide, explore the canal by sea and on foot, viewing the ships passing through the locks and the variety of plant and animal life on the canal's shores. Explore Gatun Lake, home to howlers, capuchins, tamarins, and many more animals. Stop at the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center to get an overview of the canal's history through informative displays and exhibits. Explore San Lorenzo National Park and Fort San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy a picnic lunch. All activities, entrance fees, lunch, and round-trip transportation from Panama City hotels are included.

Sail to Taboga Island aboard a Viking 46ft yacht—ideal for up to 16 guests. Depart from Flamenco Marina and cruise 35 minutes to this tropical island known for its beaches, village charm, and surrounding islets like Taboguilla and Chama. Choose a half-day or full-day charter. Swim, snorkel, visit the historic church, hike trails, or enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. A BBQ onboard is also available. The yacht includes A/C, sound system, shaded areas, and snorkeling gear. Fishing gear is onboard for light trolling near the island and Panama Bay. On full-day tours, depart early to reach the Twenty Fathom fishing grounds—home to tuna, dorado, and snapper. Enjoy views of the Panama City skyline and Bridge of the Americas as you cruise out of the marina. During your visit, explore Taboga’s fishermen village, its flower-covered houses, and historic church—one of the oldest in the Pacific. Whether sunbathing, snorkeling, or relaxing onboard, this tour blends comfort and exploration.

Between June and November, humpback whales travel over 5,000 miles from both hemispheres to breed and calve in Panama’s warm Pacific waters. Departing from Flamenco Marina, this 8-hour private tour aboard a 38ft Todomar takes you to the Pearl Islands, a top whale watching location. The tour includes opportunities for whale watching, fishing, snorkeling, and island hopping. Visit beaches and islands such as Contadora, Mogo Mogo, Saboga, and Chapera. You may also encounter dolphins, rays, and sea turtles during the trip. The Todomar is ideal for groups up to 16, with ample shaded seating, a sound system, and open space to enjoy the journey. Fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and optional BBQ or catering are included. This tour is ideal for those seeking an immersive wildlife experience with the comfort of a private group outing. Watch whales from a stable deck, relax between activities, and enjoy a mix of marine life, island exploration, and onboard leisure.

Travelers who want to get active outdoors will love this Anton Valley day tour. Rappel down a waterfall in a mountainous area that was once the center of a volcano. Hike the trails through rainforest up the Sleeping Indian mountain for impressive views and some exercise. Experienced rappellers and those who have never tried it before will both have a great time. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

One true experience, is to navigate through the canal of Panama, and have a first-hand experience. At the same time discover the flora and fauna of the canal of Panama. Among the wild lives, it is often seen different species of Monkeys that add a special touch to your visit. A small walk in the former US pipeline within a National Park. A series of wild lives can be observed in the Panama Canal inner areas such as: Iguanas, birds and of course the monkeys. Our expert tour guide takes you to the sites where the monkeys live and you can take your own pictures of them. This tour runs with a minimum of 3 participants.

Learn more about the indigenous Embera people of Panama while exploring the natural setting they live within. You’ll be taken to their community in a national park, where you can interact with the villagers, listen to their music, and take a canoe ride on Lake Alajuela. Visit some beautiful waterfalls, shop for traditional handicrafts directly from the makers, and even get a temporary Embere tattoo if you like.

Take a partial transit cruise on the Panama Canal and journey through the Miraflores Locks. Marvel at this incredible feat of engineering as your ship is raised up to 54 feet (16 meters), enabling Pedro Miguel's lake to fill the chambers where the vessel is locked. On this half-day trip, enjoy Panama City sights and travel along Amador Causeway during the drive from your hotel.

Cruise the entirety of the Panamá Canal, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, during this full-day tour in Panamá City. Board a small vessel to travel through all three sets of locks that make up the canal. Voyage on Gatun Lake and the Chagres River. Learn about the history and construction of the canal from your guide while you travel. Disembark in Colón and board a shuttle for the return trip to Panamá City. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages are provided on board. Please Note: The exact check-in time will be confirmed the day before your tour via email. Please make sure you check your inbox.

What makes this tour unique is that in just 5 hours you will discover the best of Panama City and the Canal, ideal if you have little time. Unlike mass tours, we offer small groups or private service, with flexibility and personalized attention. You will travel in a modern air-conditioned vehicle, accompanied by a bilingual local guide who shares history, culture and authentic anecdotes.

Get away on an unforgettable adventure that will leave you breathless! Imagine watching the ships’ trajectory along the Panama Canal, a marvel of modern engineering that connects two vast oceans. Feel the excitement as you witness giant ships transit the locks up close, a stunning demonstration of human ingenuity. But the magic doesn't end there. Get ready for a playful visit to the famous Monkey Room, a vibrant corner of nature where friendly white-faced capuchin monkeys will welcome you with their antics. Watch them jump from branch to branch, curious and full of energy, some will even come close to interacting with you! This unique experience will allow you to connect with wildlife in their natural habitat, creating memories that you will treasure forever.

Live an unforgettable adventure in Panama! From the majesty of the Panama Canal to the energy of Calle 50, the serenity of Amador and the charm of Casco Antiguo, every corner of this city awaits you with a unique experience. Discover history, culture and modernity on a tour that will take you through the most emblematic points of Panama. Book now and be part of this exciting journey full of discoveries and unforgettable moments!

Locals call Panama "Center of the World, Heart of the Universe", and it's not ego-related, it's due to its historical and strategic location for global travel and commerce. We will take you through the centuries, from the time when the Spanish used Panama as a trading hub to the present. You will see the beautifully restored and preserved World Heritage site known as "Casco Antiguo", the historic old quarter, and early twentieth century engineering marvels: The Panama Canal and the Amador Causeway. And of course, if and when you get hungry during the day, we'll take you to the restaurant of your choice (and trust us, the variety is huge).

Amazing tour to visit Panama from Athlantic to Pacific in a Private tour only for your group, be owner of your time! In this tour you will navigate in a boat right next to the big ships crossing the panama canal, then you will see the wild life in Gatun Lake (spot monkeys and sloths, cocodriles and more). Then visit the newest Locks Agua clara, one of modern engineering marvels. Taste the local food in Shelter Bay Marina, and finally visit the Fort San Lorenzo one of the most important ports from Latin America 400 years ago.