Jan 1, 2025
Canal and more - Very interesting, A lot of History and information on how the canal runs and is maintained. A must when visiting Panama.
Review provided by Viator
Jan 1, 2025
We started on a nice calm... - We started on a nice calm boat ride, while learning about the history of the canal. That was about 1 hour. Then we got to the locks. The first lock was genuinely fascinating although there was a cargo ship behind our boat, so it was a little bit slow. Having the cargo ship was an interesting perspective on how these large boats fit into the lock and how tight of a squeeze it really was for them. The second lock was more or less the same other than there was the visitor center there. Then we had a buffet lunch. It was an amazing selection, with a lot of tasty food. We did go through one more lock before our tour was over. The boat was clean and did have nice bathrooms.
Tips: the Pringles are good and cheap
The tour office is a little hut by the Panama sign, easy to find
Sit in the top of the boat toward the front for best views
Try to get off quick, lots of people are calling Ubers all at the same time or plan on taking a taxi
Review provided by Viator
Dec 30, 2024
Great history lesson and tour - This was a fun and educational way to learn about the Panama Canal and to see how the canal works with all the boats. The food was also tasty with free soft drinks and water. The guide was very knowledgeable and spoke in English and Spanish.
It was many hours so if kids joining in, bring some games or books.
Hint - if going with other families let one person make the booking. There are numerous buses to take you to boat (hour drive), and we saw families and friends who booked separately and were on different buses. They were accommodating, but we were told a bit of a hassle.
Review provided by Viator
Dec 30, 2024
Must experience - An excellent experience to witness how the locks actually work and the whole process going through the canal. Be prepared to spend at least 6 hours in total. Lunch served was ok.
Review provided by Viator
Dec 23, 2024
Awesome experience through the one and only Panama Canal - Wonderful Experience.
This is one of the best way to experience the Panama Canal- a must see for history buff.
The check-in was kinda chaotic. However the bus ride to Gamboa was comfortable. The bus was clean.
The boat clean with plenty seats.
The your guide did an outstanding job with his narrations once the tour started.
The lunch was plentiful and tasty.
Even with the rain this activity is well worth the cost.
Will definitely recommend to anyone interested in the canal. ( much much cheaper than a cruise😜)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 17, 2024
Worthwhile experience - Miguel, our transport driver from the hotel to the docks was courteous, prompt, and helpful. He picked us up at our hotel and took us to the point of embarkation. We arrived at the docks a little early and he took the time to drive a short distance in the area to look for some monkeys in the trees. He made sure we were admitted to the boat and advised that he would meet us at the end of the day at the debarkation point, which he did.
The partial transit - from north to south was mostly interesting. However, one needs to be prepared for hot weather and extended waits within the locks. The canal does not operate the locks for a small boat such as the Pacific Queen upon which we were sailing. The small boats must wait for a larger boat, such as the automobile transport ship which followed us into the locks about an hour after we arrived.
We had a narrator/guide on board the boat, Ian. He did a good job of explaining the history and the sites as we sailed along the canal and waited in the locks.
There was an open deck on one floor as well as some elevated areas in the foredeck for viewing. There were also 2 floors of enclosed, air conditioned space. The lowest publicly accessible deck was where lunch was served at around noon. The lunch was a pleasant surprise. It was remarkably good and a hot meal. We were pleased to see that it wasn't merely a cold lunch or a serve yourself buffet. It was a type of buffet, but there were servers who handled the food. And the food was tasty. The middle air conditioned deck was suitable for viewing the canal sides from a cooler location - through windows. We did not utilize the indoor space except to pass through on our way to and from lunch.
It was a worthwhile experience and I would recommend the tour company, the specific boat, the driver of the transport vehicle and our narrator guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 11, 2024
Excellent experience.... - Excellent experience. Iann, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable about the details of the canal. Besides the regular narration he made sure to mingle with all guests and answered all individual questions. Since he grew up near the canal and family members who worked on canal he had local nuanced knowledge. Learned more from him than any internet site or basic books on canal. Highly recommend the trip if you are in Panama.
Review provided by Viator
Nov 27, 2024
Excellent! Highly recommend - This was an amazing trip! I would highly recommend this trip to families, groups and families with young children. The lunch was excellent not your typical buffet. Veggies were crispy and tasty. Salad was fresh and the chicken was also quite taste. This gave you a real feel for traveling through the locks with out tying up your hole day. Your guid was so knowledgeable and welcoming questions and took personal time to share his insights on the canal!
Review provided by Viator
Nov 25, 2024
Very neat! - I was not sure what to expect on this trip. We started out at the port for the meeting point to get on the 3 busses that brought us to the ferry, which was 45 minutes away. Our tour person, Gladys did not say one word on the entire 45 min bus ride to the ferry, which was very disappointing. There was so much to see and I would have liked information on the towns we drove through as well as the statues in the parks we saw along the way. Gladys did not even introduce herself. I had to get her name from her name tag when we got off the bus. I wish Ian was on our bus because he answered all the questions people had on his bus. The cruise itself was a very relaxed tour along the canal. Ian was absolutely phenomenal with his knowledge of the canal. He was able to answer everyone’s questions fully. He spoke about the history of the canal, the width, depth etc. He explained what was happening at each of the 3 locks and what was happening with the other boats and ships along the way.
Review provided by Viator
Dec 9, 2024
A 5 hour tour ended up... - A 5 hour tour ended up being 8 hours. We were over it by then. Going through the locks were interesting, but waiting 2 hours for that process was not so fun
Review provided by Viator