Cruiseline Excursion Colon: Rainforest, San Lorenzo Fort and Canal Expansion
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover Panama’s Caribbean side on a full-day adventure of nature, history, and engineering.
Start your adventure with a rainforest safari by vehicle, traveling through lush jungle landscapes that are home to monkeys, sloths, anteaters, caimans, crocodiles, and more. Along the way, your guide will make several stops for photos and wildlife spotting, allowing you to experience this ecological paradise comfortably without extensive walking.
Continue to the UNESCO-listed San Lorenzo Fort, a coastal stronghold that resisted pirate attacks for nearly 75 years. Your guide will share its dramatic history and legends.
End at the Agua Clara Locks, part of the Panama Canal Expansion, where giant cargo ships transit the new locks. Learn how this modern marvel reshaped world trade.
This tour blends wildlife, culture, and the Canal into one unforgettable experience.
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
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Agua Clara Locks
• Ride back the rainforest to the Panama Canal. 1 hour approx. • Visit Agua Clara observatory desk to see how the Canal work. Admission fee US$15 is not included in our Price. Duration: 1 hour approx.
Fort San Lorenzo
• Like safari the minibús will ride into the rainforest -National Park San Lorenzo- and will stop multiples time to observe wild animals like monkeys, sloth, toucan, cuati mundi, others. Meanwhile you take pictures the guide will explain you about the animals behavior and the environment. Duration: 2 hours approx. • Visit San Lorenzo Fort, your guide will explain you the amazing history of the castle during the colonial time,and the importance to protect Panama City. Duration: 1 hour approx.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Professional guide
Port pickup and drop-off
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Lunch
Gratuities
Agua Clara Locks
Options
Port of call: Colon
Port of Call: Colon, Panama : We could pick up clients at Colon 2000 or home port or Cristobal dock.
Pickup included
Reviews
184 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Panama canal
Ann R,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The new locks and the old locks are very interesting to see. You get to watch the ships go through. The fort was ok
A journey from new to old in Panama.
Vipa,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Milton was an excellent guide. Full information given as required. It was good to visit the expansion of the Panama Canal as we had sailed through the original canal the previous day. We spent approximately an hour watching a vessel transit the lock to see the complete process start to finish. Fort Lorenzo was really interesting. Milton made sure that long explanations were in a shaded area as it was extremely hot. Some travellers asked for a short rainforest walk which was interesting. In fact the driver spotted howler monkeys along the road and stopped for a photo opportunity. Empenadas and beer/ water were given as snacks which was very welcome. A thoroughly enjoyable experience
Tour guide good; bus no air!
Robin J,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The bus was actually a school bus that was a party bus with no air! Although the tour guide was wonderful and informative the experience ended with an accident close to the port and had to take another bus back.
Nice Effort but we wish we’d have booked another.
Sightseer775520,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Definitely not what was promised or expected. Seemed Iike they overbooked and we got put on the Sexy Lady disco bus. Despite asking and being assured it had good air conditioning, it was not good, rather hot and uncomfortable the entire trip. That was accentuated by a sound system that didn’t properly resulting in either not hearing the guide or very loud static when the system was such that you could hear the guide. The bus also squealed and was just generally uncomfortable as a used school bus from the USA. Our guide was very polite and friendly but not very informed or charismatic. Seemed inexperienced and not in his element. We stayed at the second let of locks for nearly an hour, about 30 minutes too long. Everyone was ready to go after about 30 minutes and was milling about looking for the bus, they didn’t get the hint. The Fort was impressive and historic but it turned into, essentially self-guided. We could have taken a cab. The “rainforest” consisted of pulling off to the side of the road. However, we did see monkey and sloths. The grand experience was capped off with the driver side-swiping another bus a mere 200 yards from the drop-off location which resulted in a long delay but fortunately they transferred us to another bus, one we wish we’d have been on. The smaller bus. I would not recommend this tour.
Knowledgeable Tour Guide
Zahra O,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00It was a good tour. Martin was very knowledgeable. Only reason I took off a star is because we weren't actually picked up at the port, we had to walk about 10mins to meet the bus. I want a fan of the large 'party bus' but that's more my preference. That aside, we learned a great deal and it was a very good experience
The guides were very...
Mark M,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The guides were very friendly and helpful. The tour was on time and we got to see all the sights. They even stopped to see some animals along the way. The bus was really fun and unique!
Canal expansion was...
Emma T,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Canal expansion was interesting, guide was really nice and friendly, very informative. Could possibly do with another stop as it felt we were on the bus a lot and didn’t see much else of Panama
Great day trip from Colon
Karen T,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00This was a nice introduction to sites in the Colon area. The canal was interesting. I enjoyed the drive to the fort and appreciated the short stops along the way for animals and the bridge. We would have liked more time at the fort.
Such an interesting visit...
Brian G,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such an interesting visit to the Panama Canal lock as well as to the only fort. We saw lots of different animals whilst travelling through the rain forest. Our guide Milton was extremely informative.
Great canal and fort tour. Great guide! Milton was our guide.
Julie D,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We were a group of about 20. Perfect size compared to the big cruise ship buses. Our guide, Milton, was vey well versed in Panama history and culture & of course the canal. He took any questions and kept us engaged! It was hot. Nice that cold bottled water and beer were provided along with a traditional empanada snack. The canal history past and present was fascinating. We were able to see a cargo ship move through the locks. We stopped along the way to the fort for a couple of wildlife sightings. The history of San Lorenzo fort at the mouth of the Chagres river was interesting. FYI: this part of the tour requires a bit of walking with little shade. All in all, a great tour a “snapshot” of Colon and the canal, an engineering marvel
From US$80.00
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