Panama Canal Boat Tour to Monkey Islands
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Unmatched Encounters with Wildlife and Nature :
Take a close look at Panama’s diverse wildlife. Find playful monkeys, exotic birds, crocodiles and other fascinating creatures in their natural habitats on Lake Gatun.
Our professional guides, fluent in English and Spanish, offer in-depth commentary on the history, ecology and importance of the Panama Canal and its surroundings.
Enjoy the ease of pick-up and return to your hotel, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Our comfortable boats are equipped with all the necessary safety measures.
Small Group Experience :
We offer small-group tours that offer personalized attention and a more intimate connection to the surroundings, enhancing wildlife viewing opportunities.
Appreciate three different species of monkeys, including capuchin monkeys, howlers and tamarins, plus crocodiles, iguanas and various exotic birds.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Panama City
Pick up at the hotel lobby Free admission
Chagres River
Travelers will take a boat with their life jackets and a licensed captain to leave from the Chagres River for Gatun Lake. The Chagres River is the main tributary of the Panama Canal.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Air-conditioned vehicle
Meals
Tips
boat
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Gatun + Shrine of the Sloth
Sanctuary of Perezos and others: Guided walk through the Sloth Sanctuary, butterfly and frog.
Does not include Ticket or Water Transportation
Duration: 7 hours
Pickup included
Gatun + Panama Canal
Panama Canal Tour: Ideal for those who want to visit the Panama Canal and explore Lake Gatun for wildlife viewing
Duration: 6 hours: Visit of Miraflores Visitor Center and to sail the Gatun Lake
No Includes : Panama Canal Ticket ($17.22) and Boat Ride $25
Pickup included
Shared Regular Tour
Duration: 4 hours: Ideal for Sailing Gatun Lake, watching wildlife and dazzling scenery. $25 Jackpot not included
Pickup included
Private Tour
Visit the Gamboa Rainforest: Ideal for photography lovers of birds and other animals along Gatun Lake. $25 Water transportation not included
Coffee or soft drink: Have a coffee, tea or a drink with Empanada while overlooking the Chagres River at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Pickup included
Monkey Island and Pipeline
Pipeline: Enjoy a hiking through the rainforest meanwhile spot wildlife
Duration: 2 hours
lunch: Enjoy a sandwich or empanada and soft drink
Pickup included
Private Morning tour
Duration: 4 hours: Ideal for wildlife viewing or photography such as toucans, waterfowl, sloth alligators. $25 boat not included
Coffee Free: Drink a cup of coffee in the Gamboa reinforest Resort meanwhile enjoy one of the best views of Panama
Pickup included
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Multiple last-minute...
Erich G,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Multiple last-minute changes to the pickup location (three different meeting points in total). The final change was sent only 1.5 hours before departure. We took an Uber to the last provided location, but no one was there and the mall was still closed. As a result, we were unable to join the tour, yet we were still charged the full amount and marked as a no-show. All communication is documented in the Viator message history. Very disappointing experience.
Best Tour in Panama
Gerd P,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an amazing journey a must do when in Panama City! Oscar is the best tour guide ever such a great guide with a wealth of information. He knew so much about the history, people and city. He is also quite funny. We had the best time with so much to see and enjoy. The boat ride was exciting, safe and you get to see so much wildlife especially the monkeys. The canal and river was gorgeous. If you do any excursion this one is the one to do!
? Extra cost for boat ride?
David R,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Driver was prompt courteous and extremely informative on ride to and from Gatun Boat ramp. Boat ride was fun informative guide and showed us plenty of wildlife ( but no Sloth today):( Only thing that caught us off guard was driver asking for $25 each to pay for boat? Hope this was legit.
Amazing Sunday on the Panama Canal
JAY P,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic private Panama Canal tour. Our private boat trip to Monkey Island was excellent. Gino, our driver and guide, was outstanding—knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about Panama. The wildlife, the Canal views, and the overall experience were unforgettable. The tour delivered on all promises. Highly recommend.
Cute monkeys
Tracey S,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A really lovely morning on Gatun Lake looking out for monkeys, we saw loads up close. Our guide Carlos was fabulous
Amazing Experience!!!
riverlusky,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Gino gave us such an amazing tour! He was so kind and informative, timely and just a joy to be around! He knew exactly where to bring us to see the Monkeys, Toucans, Sloths, Bats, and Crocodiles!!
Great tour, lots of...
Sandra S,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour, lots of monkeys and other wildlife. Our tour guide, Alfredo was the best. Highly recommend this tour and ask for him to
The tour guide is...
Eric W,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide is bilingual and very knowledgeable and friendly. For me it was a first date and was very interesting for myself and my date. Would highly recommend
Panama Canal Private boat tour to Monkey Island
Mireille W,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00They must make sure that the tour operator pays attention WHICH terminal our Wind Star ship was. I had specified the cruise line and the dock area but they were at the largest port with mega ships.
Thrilling boat ride
Gitel C,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience Fantastic guide Highly recommend for everyone We spotted three different types of monkeys
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