Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Ride, Locks, Fort San Lorenzo
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
This unique tour of the Panama Canal goes from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean as you see the canal from the water and by foot. An exciting boat ride down the canal will introduce you to the transiting ships as well as the abundant wildlife on its shores, followed by a visit to Fort San Lorenzo and the new Agua Clara Locks.
This is not a TRANSIT tour, we wont travel by boat inside the locks.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
The tour starts in a very remote area and there will be no access to public restrooms around 9am
Vegetarian and vegan option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
Minimum age is 3 years
If you will be staying at a hotel area that is not on the list, please contact your local operator prior to booking your tour
This tour is in ENGLISH only, we cannot run the tour in 2 languages without the tour quality being compromised.
Not recommended for travelers with walking problems or other serious medical conditions.
No Wheelchair accessible
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Panama City
This tour begins with hotel pickups starting at 6:10am. I know it sounds crazy to get up so early on your vacation, but you will thank me for it later. Starting this early we can beat the crowds and see more wildlife in cooler temperatures.
Panama Canal
We will ride along the waters of the Panama Canal right next to the ships passing through on their way to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Our destination is Gatun Lake, where we will cruise around islands created during the canal construction and see the abundant wildlife on its shores.
What‘s Included
Panama Canal boat ride (90 minutes)
Professional guide
Bottled water
Entrance fees
Transport by air-conditioned minibus
A traditional Panamenian lunch is provided ( Rice, chicken, bean, plantains and salad)
Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only)
Gratuities
Due to heavy traffic, no free pickup from hotels located near Amador Causeway, Clayton (City of Knowledge) Playa Bonita. Separate transportation for the an extra charge
Playa Blanca, or Rio Hato, Metromall, Arraijan or Tocumen Airport need to arrange own transportation
This is not a TRANSIT tour, we wont travel by boat inside the locks.
Extra passenger - Minimum age to participate is 3 years
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Central Area Hotels 6:30am
From 6:30 Pick up &Drop off : For Hotels/Airbnb located in Central Panama City Areas. Pick-ups start at 6:30am.
Pickup included
Outside Panama City Areas 6am
Pick up and Drop Off 6am: Pick up starts at 6:00am from areas as Playa Bonita, City Of Knowledge, Amador Causeway, Panama Canal, Costa del este.
Pickup included
Reviews
1,705 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun filled and educational.
Sheryl B,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide, Daniel, was awesome and very knowledgeable about Panama's history and wildlife. Shout out to our boat captain who knew all the animal calls throughout the Monkey Islands and our driver that spotted a crocodile and a sloths along our travels.
Amazing!
Noah B,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time on this tour. Our guide Daniel was amazing and informative, providing insights about Panama and the history of everything we were seeing. On the jungle tour we were able to see 3 types of monkeys and other wildlife. The kids were all smiling ear-to-ear! Visiting the canal locks was great and seeing a ship go through a marvel of engineering was great. The tour finished at the San Lorenzo fort, which was really cool to explore.
Complete Canal Experience
Mike S,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was very knowledgeable about the flora/fauna, history, and current events of Panama and the Canal Zone. Very impressive. Bring water and the hotel umbrella. Water is provided only at lunch. If it rains, they will provide a disposable rain poncho, and an umbrella would help reinforce the lightweight plastic.
We had the best time on...
Megan L,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the best time on this coast-to-coast tour—honestly one of the highlights of our trip to Panama. Everything was so well organized from start to finish, and we got to see and experience way more than we expected in one day. Going through the Panama Canal was incredible, the jungle boat ride (with monkeys coming right up to us!) was unforgettable. Our guide Daniel was amazing, super knowledgeable, easygoing, and made the whole day fun and stress-free. You can tell they really care about what they do. Would 100% recommend this to anyone visiting Panama. It’s such a unique way to see so much of the country in one day.
Adventurous Day
Miguel Q,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was absolutely incredible from start to finish — truly a 5-star experience and worth every single penny. Our guide, Daniel, was outstanding. He was extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and made the entire day so interesting with all the history and insights he shared. You can tell he’s passionate about what he does, and it made the experience even more special. We saw amazing wildlife along the way, which made the tour feel like a true adventure. The food was also fantastic — fresh, delicious, and perfectly timed throughout the day. A special shoutout to our driver, Manuel, who was excellent and made the entire journey smooth and comfortable. This is a full-day tour, but it never felt long — every moment was enjoyable and well planned. If you're visiting Panama, this is a MUST-DO experience. Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We thoroughly enjoyed...
Jennifer B,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed this tour and found it to be a well paced and thoughtfully planned experience. The itinerary offered a great mix of activities, starting with a relaxing boat ride on Gatun Lake where we were able to observe a variety of wildlife. One of the highlights was visiting the Agua Clara Visitor Center and watching a ship pass through the Panama Canal locks which was an impressive and memorable experience. The day also included a picnic lunch at San Lorenzo National Park, followed by a visit to Fort San Lorenzo, adding a historical dimension to the tour. A standout aspect of the day was the driver’s exceptional ability to spot wildlife along the way and safely pull over to allow us to observe them up close. Seeing a sloth with a baby was a highlight of the tour. Both our guide, Alonso, and the driver were excellent and were professional, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout. The tour allowed the perfect amount of time at each location, never feeling rushed while still covering a lot in one day. Overall, a highly enjoyable and well executed experience that we would strongly recommend.
Great guide and value
W8344SMnathanm,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Daniel was an amazing guide. He was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about wildlife and Panamanian history. The timing of the tour allowed us to ride beside a ship as it went through the canal and then see the same ship transit through the locks. The trip is a great value for an all day experience.
A fun and informative day of the canal system!
marie s,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Daniel, our guide, was very knowledgeable and a delight, our van was very comfortable and lunch was very good. I would highly recommend this tour for an overview of the entire canal system.
Must do for couples
PJ D,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome choice for my first excursion in Panama City. We did alot that day, and I was happily exhausted by the time I arrived back to my hotel.
Great tour, Tour Guide John was amazing
pmckeracher,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience from start to finish. John was an excellent guide who provided deep context on the canal and the surrounding nature. The picnic lunch was the standout moment—well-prepared and in a beautiful setting. A seamless and enjoyable day!
From US$135.00
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