Panama City travel guide: tickets, best time & real costs
Panama Canal Boat Tour to Monkey Islands
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Navigate the waters of Lake Gatun, an essential part of the Panama Canal, as enormous ships pass in the distance and the tropical jungle pushes through the islands that emerged after the lake's creation. In Monkey Island we will look for three species of primates: white-faced capuchin monkeys, Geoffroy's tamarins, and howler monkeys, whose powerful calls are often heard through the forest. During the tour we will also be able to find tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles, and other animals in their natural habitat. But this experience goes far beyond observing monkeys. Your bilingual local guide will help you interpret the landscape and discover how the construction of the Canal transformed ancient valleys of the Chagres River into an extraordinary ecosystem of islands surrounded by the waters of Lake Gatun. Our small groups allow for a more personal, quiet, and close to nature experience. Nature, history, and engineering meet in one place: the Panama Canal.
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $179.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Nov 10.
Pick up at the hotel lobby Free admission
Travelers will take a boat with their life jackets and a licensed captain to leave from the Chagres River for Gatun Lake. The Chagres River is the main tributary of the Panama Canal.
Travelers will sail in front of the town of Gamboa established in 1910 during the construction of the Panama Canal, in which they can observe the Maintenance department of the Panama Canal with structures such as the Titan Crane, the dredge boats of the Canal among other elements.
Travelers will cruise Lake Gatun in the direction of Monkey Island where they will have the opportunity to pass by the boats in transit through the Channel, take photos and videos and live an amazing first-hand experience. They can also observe different animals such as crocodiles and birds that inhabit the area. When arriving at Monkey Island travelers will be able to interact with different species of monkeys such as the Titi or the Cariblanco monkeys
We pick up customers directly in front of the Hotel Lobby or in front of the location provided by it, driver details will be sent one day before the tour
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 864 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Panama Canal Boat Tour to Monkey Islands lasts about 4h 30min. The itinerary has 4 stops.
Prices start at $65 per person for this Panama City experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $179. There are 9 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 37 departures a day between 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Children aged 6–12 pay nothing, adults from $58. Infants go free.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. We pick up customers directly in front of the Hotel Lobby or in front of the location provided by it, driver details will be sent one day before the tour Pickup points include Hotel Parador Panama City.
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama Canal Boat Tour to Monkey Islands | 4h 30min | 4.8 (22) | $65 | |
 Boat tour in the Panama Canal to Monkeys and sloths islands | 3h 30min | 4.8 (525) | $69 | View |
 Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat Panama Tour | 5 hours | 4.8 (1,934) | $60 | View |
 Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour | 4–5 hours | 5.0 (31) | $89 | View |
 Amazing Monkey Boat Tour at Panama Canal | 4 hours | 5.0 (5) | $199 | View |
 Gatun Lake: Monkeys & Exotic Wildlife by the Canal | 4 hours | 4.8 (2,435) | $30 | View |
 Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks | 8 hours | 4.9 (1,790) | $85 | View |
Pipeline: Enjoy a hike through the rainforest while spotting wildlife Up 400 species of different birds Duration: 7 hours: Maximum 7 passengers Specialized experience Monkey Island and Gatun Lake Pipeline trail Snack & drink Boat not included: $25x Per lunch: Enjoy a sandwich or empanada and soft drink Pickup included
Duration: 4 hours: For medium groups Tour with shared pickup Monkey Island and Gatun Lake Boat not included: $20 per person Vans or Bus Rain poncho: Rain poncho Bottled water Pickup included
Duration: 4 hours: Maximum 7 passengers More personalized experience Monkey Island and Gatun Lake Navigate Panama Canal Boat Not Included: $25 per P Bottled water: Bottled water Private car with bilingual guide Rain cover: Hood during rainy weather Special gift Pickup included
Sanctuary of Perezos and others: Guided walk through the Sloth Sanctuary, butterfly and frog. Does not include Ticket or Water Transportation Duration: 7 hours Rain poncho: Rain poncho special gift Pickup included
Duration: 4 hours: Maximum 7 passengers Personalized experience Monkey Island and Gatun Lake Boat not included: $25 Vehicle air conditioner: Private transport with bilingual guide Gatun lake / Monkey T-shirt: Bring a piece of Panama's tropical wilderness designed by the visual artist Diener Boya Rain poncho special gift Pickup included
Panama Canal Tour: Maximum 7 passengers Personalized experience Miraflores Visitor Center Channel ticket not included: 17.2 Duration: 6 hours: Visit of Miraflores Visitor Center and to sail the Gatun Lake No Includes : Panama Canal Ticket ($17.22) and Boat Ride $25 Car with bilingual guide Rain poncho: Rain poncho Special Gift Pickup included
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 24 participants.
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 22 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Panama All about.