From Riu Playa Blanca: Panama Canal & City Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
We start the tour at 8:30 AM from Riu Playa Blanca Resort and drive approximately 90 minutes to Panama City along the Pan-American Highway, enjoying beautiful mountain views along the way. Upon arrival, your bilingual guide will meet you for a walking tour of Casco Antiguo, the historic old town, where you’ll explore cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and lively plazas.
Next, we head to the Amador Causeway for stunning views of the Biomuseo exterior—perfect for photos. Keep your eyes open, as we sometimes spot two-toed sloths along the way. Here, you can also take an iconic photo with the Panama City sign. Lunch is available at your own cost in this area.
Afterward, we drive along the Cinta Costera to admire the modern skyline and new developments. The tour concludes at the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal, where you can watch the IMAX movie and observe massive ships navigating the locks. We then return to Riu Playa Blanca Resort, arriving around 3:00 PM.
Additional Info
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for wheelchair users or those with walking disabilities, as accessibility may be limited in certain spots.
We may walk short to moderate distances on paved or uneven surfaces, and some areas may involve using stairs or ladders.
Light Rain Poncho or umbrella (May to Dec)
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
English Speaking guide (Meet you in the city)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Round trip from Riu Playa Blanca or Decameron
Professional Spanish driver
Lunch
Panama Canal entrance fees (Adult $17.22 or Child $7.22)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Gran Evenia Bijao
Carretera Interamericana km 108 Santa Clara Panama
Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All-inclusive Resort
Avenida Principal Farallon. Km 115, Carretera Interamericana Penonomé El Farallon del Chiru Panama
Hotel Riu Playa Blanca
Finca 43.668 El Farallon del Chiru Panama
What To Expect
Casco Viejo
Our first stop is the historic Casco Viejo, the heart of Panama City’s old town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 1673 after the original city of Panamá was destroyed by pirates, this charming neighborhood is filled with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and stunning plazas. As you walk through the area, you’ll see beautiful churches, government buildings, boutique shops, and lively cafés, all reflecting Panama’s rich history and cultural blend of Spanish, French, and indigenous influences. Casco Viejo is a photographer’s dream, offering countless spots for capturing the beauty of the city’s architecture and vibrant street life. Visiting this area provides a perfect introduction to Panama’s heritage and the lively atmosphere that defines its capital.
Amador Causeway (Calzada de Amador)
Our second stop takes us to the scenic Amador Causeway, a beautiful waterfront area connecting four small islands at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. Here, you’ll enjoy a walk around the Biomuseo, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, where you can learn about Panama’s incredible biodiversity and its important role in connecting North and South America. Along the causeway, we’ll visit the famous Panama City sign, a perfect spot for photos with the skyline in the background. While exploring, keep your eyes open—sometimes you can spot a two-toed sloth in the surrounding trees, making for a memorable wildlife encounter. This stop combines history, nature, and stunning views, giving you a full sense of Panama’s cultural and natural heritage.
Options
From Riu Playa Blanca Hotel
From the Resort: Please be on time by the lobby. This tour is from Riu Playa Blanca Rio Hato round trip.
Pickup included
From City Hotel Only
Pickup included
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This is a great tour 10/10
Doreen A,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00There is some working through the city. If your travel buddies have a hard time walking, this one might not be it.
Amazing tour with a fantastic guide
ilos2018,
Dec 11, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing day in Panama. Rafael, who did the tour himself was great! Quick turnaround during planning, very friendly, speaks brilliant English. I would like to mention that I travelled as a woman on my own and felt absolutely well taken care of and 100% safe. The day was perfectly tailored to my expectations (spotting sloths ;-) and and the end I was even invited for a drink in the historic City Center. Thanks Rafael, I will definetely visit Panama soon, but for more than a day.
Great excursion.
Deallia W,
Oct 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time. Our guide Levy was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and had no problems when we repeat questions.
Private Riu Playa Blanca Canals and Panama City tour
Greg F,
Mar 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Levy was the perfect guide His English is fantastic and he is very passionate and knowledgeable We couldn’t have asked for a better day. We loved our tour and would highly recommend it to anyone Thanks Levy !!!
You won’t be disappointed! Book now
338teisham,
Sep 7, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked an excursion for my group of 15 to Monkey Island, Panama City, and the Panama Canal and it was a wonderful experience for my group! Jesuś was very prompt, and on time to pick us up from our resort. We enjoyed him just as much as we enjoy the beautiful city of Panama. The tour to monkey Island was beautiful and so fun as we anticipated seeing all the different types of monkeys. Landover did a beautiful job with my group and I highly recommend them. Communication was great from the very first day that I contacted them up until the day of the tour. Hands-down five star service.
Highly recommend!!!!
sigentry,
Apr 14, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour. We were blessed to get a private tour with a wonderful guide. Interesting facts about the canal and Old Town as well as allowing us some ability to customize our tour.
Great experience!
megang679,
Mar 4, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We used layover panama for the transfer from PTY to Dreams Playa bonita, the half-day private city/canal tour, for transportation around panama (was more reliable, more reasonable, cleaner than trying for uber--which generally canceled you, or city taxis), and for a boat/beach tour. I can not say enough good things about Rafael, Saul, and layover panama. We had a great time, they tailored our tour to what we wanted and our accessibility limitations, and made extra stops along the way if we requested. We learned so much about the city. I recommend this company to anyone going to panama.
Amazing City/Canal Tour
848chaneg,
Aug 11, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ed was amazing from beginning to end. He was knowledgeable on the area, kept us interested in the ride to the city, toured with us - showing us all the sites and even bringing us to eat at a local spot. My family, including teenagers, had an awesome time and learned a lot!
AMAZING ADVENTURE’S OF PANAMA
Jazzyme01,
Jul 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Levy was and IS AMAZING!!!!. He is very knowledgeable at his job and very friendly. I believe he went above and beyond his job requirements. He didn’t just talk at us, he talked to us. Educating us about where we were and just conversating with us like old friends. We laughed and joked about many things in Panama and about life in general. He took us to an amazing place to eat local food. Yummmmy😜 . Then we went on an AMAZING boat ride through the PANAMA CANAL to and through the Rain Forest to Monkey Island. OMG 😱. The monkeys🐒 actually came down from tree’s and ate bananas out of my friend’s hands😂❤️ Sadly but understandably the people of Panama were protesting about the economy and lack of Government support. So, On the ride back to the resort, the highway’s were shut down and we were told by the police that, it would be shut down until 2AM. We were HORRIFIED. Levy being a native knew a different route but warned us that it would take longer and would entail us going up into the mountains which might be a little scary 😟. That was NO LIE 🥺, but he got us back to our resort; tired but unharmed. Thank You So Much Levy for your great work and kindness. May GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AND FAMILY SAFE🙏🏾. I can’t speak for other tour guides but if you want the Panamanian experience. Go with Levy. You will enjoy the WHOLE EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!
Emerge yourself in the local culture - One of a kind experience and the only way to taste real street food in Panama
258madalinac,
Jul 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I've originally booked a round trip transfer from the airport to Riu playa Blanca when I met the driver Levy. He spoke fluet English and his knowledge of the aprea was impressive so I've decided to book a private city tour with the Panama Canal experience on my last day in Panama. Needless to say it was the best decision I have made. I was intetested to see all the good, bad and the ugly about the country so he made sure to customize my trip by my request. I enjoyed the beautiful architecture of the french built old town, was woawd by the aqesome engineering project at the canal experience and my per personal favorite - i got to taste the real street panamanian food right outside the poorest area in town alingsidw the common folks and their families. I cannot thank enough my driver and tour guide for making me so welcome in his country. Highly recommended
From US$50.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by R&E Transfer Panama