Panama City & Panama Canal: Miraflores Locks Half-Day Tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the highlights of Panama City on this 5-hour, expertly guided tour. Visit the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks to witness massive ships navigate this engineering marvel. Stroll the historic streets and plazas of Casco Viejo (Old Town), exploring colonial architecture, cafes, boutiques, and vibrant local life. Drive along the glitzy Avenida Balboa and scenic Cinta Costera, with breathtaking skyline views, and capture photos at the famous Panama sign. Finish at the Amador Causeway, enjoying fresh ocean breezes and stunning city vistas.
With a friendly English-speaking guide, this tour offers a perfect mix of culture, history, and iconic landmarks—ideal for first-time visitors or travelers short on time. Perfect for a half-day Panama City tour, Panama Canal visit, or Casco Viejo walking experience.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
THERE IS A SURCHARGE FOR PICK UP AND DROP OFF AT HOTELS OUTSIDE OF PANAMA CITY, SUCH AS TOCUMEN, COSTA DEL ESTE, PLAYA BONITA AND OTHERS. Please select the relevant booking option or kindly send us a message.
What To Expect
Panama Canal
Begin your tour at the Miraflores Locks, where you can watch massive container ships navigate the locks and be lifted above sea level—a truly impressive sight! Explore the Miraflores Visitor Center, where you’ll learn about the colorful history and incredible engineering of the Panama Canal. The center also features a new IMAX theater, showing a 40-minute documentary about the Panama Canal (optional, additional cost: $17.22).
Casco Viejo
Stroll through the charming alleyways of Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historic district, and explore its four picturesque plazas, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Admire the spectacular colonial architecture, browse unique boutiques and artisan shops, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of cafés, restaurants, bars, and local entertainment.
Options
Pickup from Costa del Este
CostaDelEste-SantaMaria PickUp: With Pick up in Costa del Este or Santa Maria area Pickup included
Pickup from Playa Bonita
Duration: 5 hours Well maintained car with AC Pickup from Playa Bonita Pickup included
Pickup from Panama City
Duration: 5 hours Well maintained car with AC Pickup from Panama City Pickup included
What‘s Included
English speaking guide
Entrance Fee to Miraflores Visitor Center
Optional IMAX movie fee - $17.22
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour, don’t book for Monday tours
Monet D,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Great tour but we booked for a tour on Monday and we were not warned that most of the tour stops would be closed on Mondays. Otherwise, it’s a great tour. The driver/tour guide was very nice.
Exploring Panama with our guide, Daniel!
Y9818AWjamesr,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had wonderful day with our tour guide,Daniel. He is very personable and shared his knowledge of the history and area. We enjoyed every moment with him. Highly recommended.
Ali our tour guide was...
Tadeo V,Jan 20, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Ali our tour guide was very courteous and took us everywhere as planned. He was very knowledgeable about Panamanian history and recent country situation.
Good tour
DebraL D,Dec 29, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was good. Visited the Locks and saw a ship going through. The Imax presentation was interesting.
Great tour to all the highlights of Panana City 😊
Klaus R,Mar 30, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour to all the highlights of Panama City. Our wishes were met and we fell in love with this great city ... and learned a lot about the eventful history of Panama ... highly recommended!
Awesome Tour!
Edward P,Feb 9, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00The Miraflores Locks were very interesting as well as all the other sites! Our guide, Ana Nation, was great! She is very knowledgeable and had lots to tell us about all the attractions we saw!
Great experience!
Jonathan E,May 8, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00Franklin, from Tao Travel, has been one of the best guides we've ever had; we've been to 52 countries.
Panama locks and city tour
Laura L,Mar 22, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00Saw lots of interesting sights. The locks were very interesting. Old town and new town so different.
You must visit him!
AngelaLuz01,Feb 1, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour! I really enjoyed the visit to the Panama Canal and seeing the functioning of the Panama Canal and its excluses. Old helmet and causeway are spectacular. At the end of the tour Frank, our guide dropped us off at a restaurant in causeway to enjoy the gastronomy and sunset. Highly recommended Tao Travel 365. Spacious, clean vehicle and very good guide:)
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Operated by Tao Travel 365