Gatún Lake (Lago Gatún) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Gatún Lake. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Gatun Lake: Monkeys and Exotic Wildlife by the Canal

• Monkey and Sloth Panama Canal Boat Safari With Casco Viejo Brunch

• Panama Canal With Entrance Included and Gatun Lake Boat Tour

• Full-Day Gatun Lake and Indian Village Tour From Panama City

• Panama Canal Full Transit Tour

While there’s no fee to visit Gatún Lake, most people visit on a guided tour out of nearby Panama City. Expect to pay from US$40 for a half-day nature-spotting cruise on the lake to upwards of US$100 for a tour that includes the lake, hiking, and other attractions.

Yes, Gatún Lake is definitely worth visiting while you're in the Panama City area. It's especially appealing to wildlife lovers, as you can see many kinds of birds, monkeys, and even sloths from a cruise on or a guided hike near the lake. Some tours include kayaking or a visit to indigenous villages, too.

Per one customer who booked the Gatun Lake: Monkeys & Exotic Wildlife by the Canal, "This was lots of fun, animals, giant ships and a snappy speed boat ride to beat the heat. Professionally organized but also super friendly."

Gatun Lake is an artificial lake in Panama. This enormous artificial lake was designed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via the Panama Canal. Construction started in 1907 and ended in 1913. Although its use is primarily for ship passage, it is a popular tourist attraction for hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing.

Yes, visiting the Gatun Locks, which connect the Atlantic Ocean to Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal, is possible. The Gatun Locks are a three-lock system that enables boat travel in both directions. You can watch the locks raise and lower ships and explore the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center.

Gatun Lake is home to hundreds of wildlife, fauna, and flora species. Whether exploring by boat or on foot, you can spot spider monkeys in the trees, sloths relaxing near the waterside, and crocodiles floating across the water. The peacock bass, a non-native species, can also be found.

Yes, there are guided tours available to visit Gatun Lake. Many of these tours depart and return to Panama City, allowing visitors to experience Gatun Lake on a limited schedule. Guided tours take place on land and water, focusing primarily on wildlife, landscape, and the area's history.

Getting from Gatun Lake to Panama City isn’t difficult, especially if you hire private transportation. Many visitors visit the lake on an organized tour, but you can also take a cab or shuttle to Gatun Lake. The most affordable option is taking the bus from the capital to Gatun Dam.

Gatun Lake has plenty of outdoor recreation available through numerous tour companies. Water-based activities are among the most popular, such as boating, fishing, scuba diving, and swimming. There are also eco-tours available that showcase the lake’s ecosystem. Horseback riding, hiking, and cycling are also available as guided and self-guided tours.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Gatún Lake. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Panama City:

• Panama Canal

• Casco Viejo

• Amador Causeway

• Miraflores Locks

• Bridge of the Americas

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Panama City.