Private Tour
Old Canal zone tour (Miraflores Locks, former bases, and Museum)
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
The former Canal Zone tour starts from your hotel and takes you to the Miraflores Locks, where we will spend an hour. You can visit the exhibition room between the observation decks to learn about the history and see the boats pass through the second-largest locks in the Panama Canal. After that, we will head to the former base of Clayton, which dates back to 1919 and housed more than 20,000 people, including civilians and soldiers. Then, we will drive to Corozal, an old town in the Canal Zone, where we can visit the American military cemetery and the train station, which was the first transoceanic railway in the world. After that, we will travel to the first American airfield in Albrook, where we will learn more about the history of the place. Finally, we will visit the old town of Balboa, where we can see the Panama Canal Administration Building, and end the tour at the Amador Causeway.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Miraflores Visitor Center entry 17.22 dollars per person Must be paid to the on-site to the staff
Canal Museum 15 dollars entry Must be paid on site to the staff
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Museo del Canal Interoceanico de Panama
We begin this tour by traveling through time going through everything that happened in the canal from the French to the conclusion of the canal by the Americans and all the nations that gave their contribution to this work that changed the maritime world since then.
Panama Canal
The former base of Clayton date from 1919 and housed more than 20 thousand people, civilians, and soldiers, after we drive to Corozal an old town in the canal zone where we find the American military cemetery following the train station the first interoceanic railway in the world after traveling to the first American air force station in Panama Albrook where we will remember much of the history of the area and finally the old town of balboa where we find the Panama canal administration building and finally the Amador causeway
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
Air-conditioned vehicle
Miraflores Visitor Center entry to be paid on site to the canal staff
Canal Museum to be paid on site to the canal Museum staff
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private and exclusive Combo
Private : An exclusive and customize experience
Pickup included
Former Panama Canal zone tour (military bases, museums and more)
Pickup included
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Revisiting the Canal Zone and seeing breathtaking Amador Causeway
NESTOR E,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00This is a great tour if you’re fortunate to visit the Miraflores Canal Visitors Center on a time during an actual “transit” of a ship through the canal as we did. (Buy your ticket beforehand online to save time) Also, don’t expect to see the Canal Museum on a Sunday or Monday as it’s closed those days. Having spent time in the military at Albrook and Howard AFB in the 90’s it was eye-opening to see the Albrook and Ft. Clayton area now, but unfortunately the former Howard AFB was too far away from everything else to fit within the 5-hour tour constraints. We did get to drive around the beautiful Amador Causeway and take a picture by a Panama sign. Our guide Professor Araminta very engaging and full of first hand knowledge of the area which lent to an incredible intimate experience . Our driver Rigo was just as engaging and stopped by the roadside to point out a sloth for another Kodak moment by the Causeway. Overall, despite not getting to the Canal Museum nor the former Howard AFB, it was an excellent private tour as we were able to catch a transit of a ship through the canal. We just wish the tour could have accommodated more time for the Sunday morning crowds, especially to get into a long line to see the superlative IMAX movie about the Canal at the Miraflores Visitors Center. I fully appreciate that Viator was able to offer a tour that did appeal to those whom are interested in the former US bases and past presence in Panama. Thanks
What a great tour and tour guide
gaomm,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an exceptional tour of the Panama Canal Zone. Jorge was our guide, and he managed to show us a number of places from my early life in the Canal Zone. I lived there about 75 years ago, so Jorge’s skill as a tour guide and sleuth were put to the test. He excelled. We also got to see the sites and learn a lot. This tour is highly recommended.
Great tour
Tiffany B,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour gave a helpful overview of the canal's and canal zone's history and its role in Panama's economic, political and social history
Old Canal Zone Tour Was Excellent Because of Jorge
nschaff,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A group of 6 former Army friends travelled to Panama to visit our experiences from 40 years ago. Our tour guide for the day was Jorge. Because of his knowledge of the area and compassion to support our memories it was a magnificent day! We spent a week in Panama and the time spent with Jorge was the best day of the entire stay - he went above and beyond for us. I would highly recommend requesting Jorge for any tour needs in the Panama area.
Direct booking fail
fernwehaus,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Tried to book directly with Panamanian adventures through the number on their Instagram. Enquired about tour availability for 2-3 days in advance. Response said they'd look into your availability but they never did. When I followed up next day i got a message saying it was a busy time for tours, but never actually a yes or no.
A MUST DO!
connortK3031CB,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alex and Jorge were incredible! They were so knowledgeable, punctual, and friendly. There was so much history, and they make sure to take care of you along the way to make the trip as comfortable as possible. Thank you for an amazing tour!
Atlantic side with gatun, military bases, and cologne
E7485PUchrisy,Aug 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Roderick was excellent. He allowed us to go back to our memories of colon and the military bases I last saw 50 years ago. It was very informational
Unique Tour of Panama Canal
DoreenHi,Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We signed up for this tour to learn everything we could about the Panama Canal (particularly the history of building and operating) and it did not disappoint! Alex was a great guide sharing what life was like as we were touring all of the neighborhoods built by the military and canal logistics teams and what life is like today. Loved this tour as we got a sense of the culture of the people that made/make the Canal what it is today.
History and Culture of Panama Canal - 5 stars!
Doreen B,Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great day with Alex touring Perico and Flamenco Island before launching into all things Panama Canal. We appreciated seeing all of the infrastructure and learning the history of what it took to build and run the canal before Panama took control of operations in 1999. Alex was a great guide and did a wonderful job explaining about the culture of Panama and US relations before US exited and how Panama is evolving today. Lots of history and great information. Highly recommend!
Very flexible, lots of interesting information and a great experience. Timing to see a ship transit the lock was perfect
Daniel G,Mar 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A must for people passing through or staying in Panama City. Such history, such impressive construction. So easy to miss without a knowledgeable guide
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