Recently Viewed
Canal Tour: Explore Historic Locks and Wonders
5.0
25 Ratings
Panama City
Embark on a full-day adventure through the marvels of the Panama Canal. Witness the engineering feat of the locks and explore iconic landmarks. Book now!
Embark on a full-day adventure through the marvels of the Panama Canal. Witness the engineering feat of the locks and explore iconic landmarks. Book now!
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Miraflores Visitor Center - The journey begins at the Miraflores Visitor Center, where visitors can enjoy a 45-minute documentary about the Panama Canal, narrated by Morgan Freeman, at the Imax theater. This experience provides insight into the history and operation of this significant and impressive construction.
This time includes the transfer to…
- Miraflores Visitor Center - The journey begins at the Miraflores Visitor Center, where visitors can enjoy a 45-minute documentary about the Panama Canal, narrated by Morgan Freeman, at the Imax theater. This experience provides insight into the history and operation of this significant and impressive construction.
This time includes the transfer to the Miraflores Locks.
- Pedro Miguel Locks - From the Miraflores Locks, the tour proceeds to the Pedro Miguel Locks, the smallest yet crucial lock, as it adjusts the ships to the level of the Culebra Cut, the most challenging and intricate part of the ship’s transit.
The time includes the transfer to the Pedro Miguel Locks.
- Colon - Lunch is scheduled in Colón, with meal preferences discussed beforehand. A maximum of 1 hour is allocated for lunch.
Transfer time to the province of Colón is included.
- Agua Clara Visitor Center - The tour continues to the new Agua Clara Visitor Center, offering a view of the Expanded Canal, where the larger Neopanamax ships can be observed passing through the Panama Canal.
- Atlantic Bridge - The journey crosses the new Atlantic Bridge, which spans the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal, connecting the City of Colón and the Down Coast of Colón.
This bridge holds the world record as the longest four-lane concrete cable-stayed bridge, with a visible span of 530 meters.
- Gatun Locks - After crossing the impressive Atlantic Bridge, the tour arrives at Gatun Locks, where more essential details about the Panama Canal are shared.
- Gatun Dam - The tour proceeds through the Gatun Locks to the Gatun Dam, a critical component for the Panama Canal’s operation. At the time of its construction, it was the largest dam in the world, alongside the artificial Gatun Lake.
This time includes the transfer to Gatun Dam.
- Panama City - The tour concludes with a return to the city.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Private transportation
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Miraflores Visitors Center non-residents adults $17.22 minors $7.22. Residents $3 and $1.50
- Agua Clara Visitors Center non-residents adults $10 minors $5. Residents $3 and $1.50
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Miraflores Visitors Center non-residents adults $17.22 minors $7.22. Residents $3 and $1.50
- Agua Clara Visitors Center non-residents adults $10 minors $5. Residents $3 and $1.50
- Gratuities
Additional Information
On this tour, participants will explore every phase of the canal, from its initial construction to the remarkable expansion.
Visitors will be at the Miraflores, Pedro Miguel, Gatun, and Agua Clara Locks, learning about their history, engineering, and global significance.
✅ PRIVATE AND EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
This tour is crafted for the utmost comfort of…
On this tour, participants will explore every phase of the canal, from its initial construction to the remarkable expansion.
Visitors will be at the Miraflores, Pedro Miguel, Gatun, and Agua Clara Locks, learning about their history, engineering, and global significance.
✅ PRIVATE AND EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
This tour is crafted for the utmost comfort of you and your group. Reservations are accepted for as few as one person.
✅ UNIQUE ON THE CONTINENT
Embark on a journey across the continent in a single day. Be among the few who traverse the Channel from the Pacific to the Atlantic by land in just one day.
✅ DISCOVER THE PROVINCE OF COLÓN
Dive into the history of this vital Channel region and enjoy a lunch or snack of your choice.
✅ BE AMAZED BY THE CANAL’S GREAT WONDERS
Explore significant sites such as the Great Gatun Dam, the impressive Atlantic Bridge, and other secrets known to few.
Book today and experience the Channel like never before!
Please note that tickets for Visitor Centers are not included.
Location
Miraflores Visitor Center
East Side of the Miraflores Locks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(25 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Betsy0201
Mar 5, 2025
Exceptional tour guide and tour with more canal experiences than other tours. Customized tour delighted all of us! - This was one of the best private guided tours we have ever taken. This specific tour let us see all the sights/locks of the canal—-from Pacific to Atlantic . We got a great understanding of the achievement the canal represents, how it operates, its political history, and much more. Mario seems to have boundless energy and is passionate about pleasing his clients. We had such great communication, with Mario, that we immediately booked another tour with their company. It was customized for us and included all the sites we wanted to see (Amador, Ancon, and other sites beyond the canal) and more. Both Kathy and Mario are exceptional guides. They are both very knowledgeable. They listened carefully to our preferences and questions and shared personal experiences with us. It was a profound, personal, emotional, and joy-filled experience. Not a moment was wasted. Every minute was interesting. It’s clear they love introducing people to what their country has to offer. I would recommend this tour and tour company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeremymichaels1309
Jan 26, 2025
Very personable and very well organized private tour - Very well organized full day tour of the Miraflores ( Pacific) and Aguas Claras ( Caribbean) locks Finished with lunch at cruise terminal in Colon. Cathy my guide for the day was a delight, knowledgeable, and excellent driver and very personable. Cositas is a small tour company specializing in tailor made tours in Panama. I would definitely use them again when I return to Panama for tours to other interesting areas.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrick95130
Jan 18, 2025
A very interesting day tour - A day that will last a long time. Make the canal along its entire length with our guide Mario who was not stingy with information about the canal and the history of Panama. He advised us when visiting the locks and visiting the city of Colon.
Not to mention the video report and photos of the day.
Another big thank you to you Mario.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wanderer52411163875
Jan 4, 2025
Great day at the Panama Canal - Very nice experience with a very experienced guide
We visited the surroundings of Panama City with a lot of explanations , and finally the miraflora locks where we saw a very large cargo car carrier crossing. It was very impressive and worth the trip. Our guide Catherine Barnfield, has given us detailed and documented explanations. She was very kind , patient and answered all questions very acutely . A guide to recommend to have a good day and understand how the canal and locks work
Review provided by Tripadvisor
433carolw
Dec 21, 2024
It's much more than you might think! - Mario was a thoughtful guide, attentive to the physical needs of these two senior travellers. He was aware of an upcoming transit and made sure the timing was right for us to see all stages of it. His background knowledge of the canal is encyclopedic. He is also able to answer questions and offer background on a variety of social, cultural, and natural topics. We asked for a lunch stop with typical Panamanian food, and he delivered. This was one of many highlights!
The IMAX production was amazing. Don't skip that part!
When the Santa Clara lock unexpectedly ceased operation, we discussed alternatives and ended up having a trip through parkland with bird and animal sightings and hearing a troupe of howler monkeys. Another highlight. A walk on the beach and a soak of the feet in the Caribbean? Priceless!
Mario genuinely loves his country, and we came away feeling we have a friend in Panama. We enthusiastically recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Indira_d
Dec 17, 2024
I’ll advise them to go... - I’ll advise them to go and do it. Activities were abundant. No regrets at all. One important advice is do it a little bit later than we did ours to avoid the rain.
Review provided by Viator
Heimchanp
Nov 26, 2024
Amazing trip! - This tour should definitely be on your bucket list when visiting Panama. It gives you the opportunity to visit the locks at both ends of the canal (Miraflores and Agua Clara). The views at Agua Clara is amazing, not only do you get to see the ships transit the new locks, you also get to a glimpse of the Gatun lake.
Added to all of this, the tour is being done by a knowledgeable guide. Mario brings a wealth of knowledge with him and will surely have the answer for any question you have. His personality and aura makes the tour more enjoyable, he will go the extra yard to make your visit memorable.
I highly recommend this tour, you will not regret it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nora_g
Oct 27, 2024
Getting to know the workings and history of the Panama Canal - Excellent all-day tour of the full length of the Panama Canal. Mario, our guide was very knowledgeable and a first class communicator. We would strongly this tour for anyone who wants to delve more deeply into the workings of the canal, the movements of the shipping and operation of the locks. We certainly came away with a much greater familiarity and understanding of this engineering marvel.
Review provided by Viator
Benjamin_d
Sep 22, 2024
Experience the canal from ocean to ocean! - This was a wonderful, private day trip. Mario exhibits a great passion for the canal and the country and is a wonderful guide. We were able to see several ships transiting the locks while learning about the culture and history of Panama. For lunch we asked Mario for something local so he took us to a great restaurant in Colón! We were not disappointed!
We recommend this trip for anyone wanting to learn more about the canal and country!
Review provided by Viator
Helen
Jun 12, 2024
Just do this you get English maths history science geography all in an eco cultural experience - A must to do thank you Mike excellent coverage of tbd day. The best of the trips so far. A car boat and car all on one from one ocean to the other and following the ships down the canal along the way at stops.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
