Gatun Lake: Monkeys & Exotic Wildlife by the Canal
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Set out from Panama City in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle bound for Gamboa Marina. Board your riverboat and glide across Gatun Lake, a vital section of the Panama Canal surrounded by lush tropical rainforest.
As you cruise, watch for the lake’s most famous residents — white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, and Geoffrey’s tamarins. With a bit of luck, you may also spot sloths resting in the treetops, colorful tropical birds, or crocodiles sunning on the shore.
Your certified guide shares fascinating insights about the canal, its history, and the rich biodiversity of the Chagres River basin, making this more than just a wildlife encounter.
End your adventure with a comfortable return ride to Panama City, arriving back at your hotel with unforgettable memories and photos of Panama’s wildlife.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
May be operated by a multilingual guide
The duration of the tour includes travel time.
What To Expect
Avenida Balboa
The tour starts with hotel pick up in Panama City followed by a transfer to the Gamboa Marina.
Gamboa
Gamboa is a peaceful rainforest town located at the meeting point of the Chagres River and the Panama Canal. Known for its lush jungle, abundant wildlife, and historic canal infrastructure, it’s one of the best places in Panama to experience nature up close. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Gatun Lake and the surrounding rainforest.
Options
Monkeys and wildlife
Tour pickup: From 6:25am to 10:30am 10:50am to 3:30PM 1:30PM to 5:30PM Pickup included
What‘s Included
Professional local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Bottled water
Most time on the lake
Viator's badge of excellence
Transport by air-conditioned car or minivan
Meals
Boat Fee to be paid on site
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,309 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Must Do!!!
Dominican J,Jul 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best part of our trip. The guide was great. We got to see 3 different types of monkeys up close and personal. A must do when visiting Panama.
Adventure Tour
Robert W,Jul 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was great. Daniel was our guide and he was super informative and taught us a lot about the canal and Panama in general. We were also lucky and saw three types of monkeys while on the boat
Lovely time
AimeeeEH,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour. I didn't have high expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. The group wasn't too big, the guide helpful and interested, and we saw loads of monkeys. No sloths unfortunately, but it was wonderful being in the nature and being part of the process with the monkey whisperer!
It was a nice experience!
Companion32090730583,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It was a nice experience to see the monkeys. Wish we could have seen more wildlife, but the overall experience was good.
Choose this tour group! They're Great.
Stay04145314083,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were so impressed with this tour. The organization was perfect from pick up to drop off. The tour bus picked us up at our hotel, and drove us deep into a part of the canal zone we hadn't seen before. Jenny, was the most amazing bilingual tour guide I've ever had. Her effortless English was flawless and natural, and she seemlessly went back and forth between that and Spanish, giving us useful information along the way. She was really well informed,helpful and lovely. Once we got on the boat, we were amazed by Julie's monkey calls. They were hard to tell from the real thing! We saw three different kinds of monkeys and one even ate out of my hand and stepped on my hand. And the boat ride was really along Canal as we looked up to the big cargo ship and tankers waiting to go through. We even saw a black panther drinking from the lake.It was just awesome. You can't beat the value for what you get from this four hour tour. Can't recommend this tour group highly enough!
Learning about nature
JavierRubioRamiro,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The visit has been a success from the beginning: trust, pleasantness, and fun. Daniel, our guide, is an extraordinary person, attentive, with many stories, and always willing to answer any questions that arise. We were able to see many monkeys, learned a lot, and had fun. It is a highly recommended excursion. The only thing I would change is that the price of the excursion does not include the $20 for the boat, which is not mentioned anywhere until you have already paid the deposit.
Our Adventure with Jenny and the crew
Tanya J,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This trip was amazing our tour crew Jenny, Brad, the monkey whisperer Julie and the boat sailer were very welcoming and they let us had a great time, the guy who sailed the boat fed the monkeys so we could take pictures, I definitely recommend this team. Next time I will take my whole Jamaican family with me.
Must do in Panama City!
BaiMing F,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is must do activity in Panama City. Milton is our tour guide. He knew many things about monkey island. We love the trip so much! Thank you Milton.
Mejía family
karenfU5586BQ,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience, all the team so nice, friendlly. DAniel is really nice guide .
A must!
rehemaan,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I enjoyed this trip & it was amazing . So much information to know It was great , the host was amazing!! Definitely would do it again
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