Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour from Panama City

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

5 hours

Mobile ticket

The tour will start at the Flamenco Marina in Panama City. The partial transit starts with a motor coach ride for 45 minutes to the town of Gamboa where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. Once in Gamboa, you will aboard the cruise ship to start the water portion of the tour.

You will go through two locks; Miraflores and Pedro Miguel on the canal on board of the cruise ship Pacific Queen that can hold 200 passengers.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What‘s Included

Professional guide

QR Code IS A MUST AND BOOKING HAS TO BE 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TOUR

Lunch

Hotel pickup and drop-off

What To Expect

Panama Canal

Panama Canal Partial Transit - Lunch Included on the Pacific Queen cruise ship. Duration 5 hours Checkin time 7:00am tentative The tour will start at the Flamenco Marina in Panama City. You will board the cruise ship to start the water portion of the tour. You will enter the canal at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value. Your boat will travel the Cut 13.7 kilometers on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides. In this area you will also be able to observe the work of the Panama Canal expansion project. Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the e Bridge of the Americas which crosses over the Canal. Next, your ship will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel is lowered 9 meters in one step. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks, the latter being the final set of locks before reaching Gamboa. At Miraflores Locks the vessel is lowered 16 meters in two distinct steps. Once in the Pacific Ocean the vessel will sail to Gamboa where passengers disembark. On the way to Gamboa, you will pass under the Centennial bridge, and later, you will be bus back to Flamenco Island. Transportation is optional to hotels in Panama.

5 hours • Admission Included

Options

Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour from Panama City

Reviews

3.69

13 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Panama Canal Partial Tour
Hemant R,
Dec 16, 2024
- Review from Viator
3.00
The reason for my AVERAGE review: We booked this tour with Viator, were given the Booking Reference # and the confirmation, which indicated a pickup time of 10:00 AM at a certain meeting point. When we arrived at the stated meeting point at 9:15 AM, there was no one to be found. We tried to contact the local tour company who would not pick up the call. Much later we came to learn that the tour had departed at 9:00 AM!! We decided to go on our own.
Partial transit tour
MaryBethH,
Jun 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Ian was incredibly kind and so knowledgeable about the history of the canal. He took time to answer questions from individuals in addition to his commentary. A very nice partial tour through the canal.
A definite must see
Darrin L,
Jan 28, 2023
- Review from Viator
4.00
This half day trip is worth it- I can't imagine doing the whole canal. We bused from the causeway (which was a bit confusing- our Uber driver didn't know where the marina was, so we had to walk around to find it. Fortunately, another tour company guide saw us and directed us). The bus ride to Gamboa was about 40 minutes. The boat was pretty crowded. We had to stand for the first half, until someone gave up a seat. The food on board was not bad- plenty of free sodas and water, with alcohol for purchase. if you are not inside seated, you won't be able to hear the guide, even though they have a microphone. All in all, it is a definite must see, but try to get on one of the first buses, so you can at least have a seat in the shade.
HORRIBLE!!!!!
Didi P,
Jun 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
We have confirmation of our trip to start at the Amador Causeway by 7:00 am. Were were there by 6:50 am and the boat had already left. This was the one thing my husband, who was on business all week, wanted to do. When we requested a refund of our $570.00 fare for 3, we were told no. In addition, we spent over $55 round trip to get to Amador Causeway. DO NOT BOOK THIS THIS TOUR THROUGH THIS COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoyable Tour
Wendy T,
Jun 7, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wonderful Tour. A lifetime experience with my mother and best friend. The tour guide spoke in several languages that made it so interesting to all. Awesome!
Good bang for your buck.
Duncan H,
Feb 17, 2020
- Review from Viator
4.00
This was a very informative tour. Gus, the tour narrator had many stories and was very knowledgeable about the history of the canal de Panama. Lunch was just ok, not great but I didn’t leave hungry. The sound system on the boat was excellent, very clear, it could be heard on all levels. The itself was modern and clean.
Experience the Locks
albuc,
Oct 25, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
This trip was just enough. The partial transit put us on the water with the rising water levels of the locks, a relatively short period of time moving from one to the other. The boat was of a good size with good views of the happenings. Our guide JC was knowledgeable and friendly as were the rest of the crew. We were served breakfast and lunch while aboard ship. My one complaint is that finding the point of departure was challenging. I had given myself 30 minutes to be lost and just made it to the boat prior to launch. This 5 hour activity is time well spent.
Return Visit to Panama Canal
Diana L,
Oct 17, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Traveled to Panama for family reunion; and decided to take the partial transit of Panama Canal to accompany relatives who were visiting for the first time. A great time was had by all. Amazing to see how the project to widened the canal has made a difference as larger vessels are now able to transit; facilitating world wide commerce.
Great, and Informative Tour!!
Leroy365,
Apr 11, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I took the North-Bound Panama Canal Transit Tour, on 30 March 2019 (for my Birthday). My Guide was Gus, A Funny, and Knowlegeable Man. I enjoyed the Tour, the Gift Shop, and the Information regarding the different "things" about the Canal, and the surrounding areas (including a Famous Prison on the Canal). I must say, I missed the Canal Tour in 2018, but making it this time, on my Birthday, made the "missed time" moot. The "ship" was neither too large, or too small... but "Just Right". Plenty of Sitting, or Standing Room. And all of the passengers were (to my recollection) nice enough to allow me, and others, to get to, and occupy space, to take our own photos/videos. If nothing else, I commend Gus, and the Crew of the Ship "Pacific Queen" Panama, for a Safe and Pleasant Journey. 😊
Worst day in Panama!
Go761252,
Feb 25, 2019
- Review from Viator
1.00
We arrived at 8am for a half day partial transit of the Canal. Waited 6 hours before getting on a boat at 2-2:30 and arrived back in Panama at 8:30pm. Twelve + hours! No info or explanations given all day. Guide on the boat was good. Food ok. Lack of information unacceptable!