Private Tour
Private or Small Group Panama Canal & City Half-Day Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
What makes this tour unique is that in just 5 hours you will discover the best of Panama City and the Canal, ideal if you have little time. Unlike mass tours, we offer small groups or private service, with flexibility and personalized attention. You will travel in a modern air-conditioned vehicle, accompanied by a bilingual local guide who shares history, culture and authentic anecdotes.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
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 Canal
At this point you can see the change of levels of the ships that transit the Panama Canal, also enjoy a 45-minute documentary on IMAX narrated by Morgan Freeman.
Bridge of the Americas
We will travel the majestic bridge of the Americas until we reach its own viewpoint
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Pick-up and drop-off at Panama City Hotels
Air-conditioned vehicle
Bilingual Guide
Panama Canal
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Small Group Tour - City
Duration: 5 hours
Mini van
Shared tour : Small group sharing tour, ideal for travelers staying in Panama City who want to share the tour.
Pickup included
Private Tour - Airport Stopover
Duration: 5 hours
Private vehicle
Private tour in stopover : Private tour for passengers on stopover, with airport pick-up and return, designed to suit flight schedules
Pickup included
Private Tour - Panama City
Duration: 5 hours
Private vehicle
Private tour: Private tour with guide and exclusive vehicle.
Ideal for travelers staying in Ciudad looking for a personalized experience.
Pickup included
Reviews
566 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful tour, thank you Ricky!
bernadettea732,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful experience. Ricky is knowledgeable, incredibly helpful and made us very comfortable. I cannot recommend his tour enough.
Best guide in the world
Freedom703771,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide. Jennifer was so nice! And so well informed. She was funny, personable, and professional and how she presented things to us. I don't think you can do much better! Thank you again.
Excellent transport and excellent tour guide
Suzanne P,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We used Viator for our airport pick up and return. And we used viatour for our Panama Canal and city tour. Jose was incredible. He knows a lot about the history and you can tell he is passionate about it. I will be using him again!
Excellent Guide for Panama City
45marianb,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jose was a great guide for first timers to Panama City. The timing to see a cargo ship as it was going thru the locks was perfect. His knowledge of the area was excellent, history and relevant sites included. Highly recommend him when visiting Panama City.
Perfect panama canal tour
Kimberla f,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Jennifer was the best.! She was not only very informative and was able to answer all of our questions, which there were many, but she was enthusiastic and a lot of fun. We even heard some people that were on a cruise ship excursion comment that they wish they had Jennifer as their guide. This was a private tour with eight friends, and this is hands-down, so much better than any Panama excursion that the cruise ship offered.
A enthralling experience of Maritime history
929sigmundp,,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The host Hose Odiaga was kind, courteous and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed learning about Panama and it's beautiful surroundings. An excellent experience
Great and Memorable time in Panama City
B4878HXbettyk,,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I booked this tour to view the Panama Canal & Casco Viejo. Our guide, Richard, was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He took his time with us, gave a lot of interesting and historical information, and even tailored the tour to places/stores we wanted to visit. We highly recommend this tour and specifically our guide! Thank you, Ricky, for showing us around. We had a wonderful time!
Best tour of panama With Ivan the best guide in the Americas!
sansa31,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I had a private tour with IVAN in Panama City. It was so special it's one of the best tours we have ever had. Ivan was flexible and funny he drove a beautiful clean comfortable car . he made us feel so special and he brought us to everything that we wanted to see. It was a perfect day and evening with Ivan in panama ... this tour was perfect! Do not miss Book as soon as possible!
Great tour of the canal and Panama City
413marck,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day driving around with our driver, Mike Hazera. I did not expect this to be a private tour - but my wife and I had Mike all to ourselves in his very comfortable car. He knew the exact time to get us to the Panama Canal to see a tanker ship coming through the locks. He also knew the exact time to get over to the IMax movie. He was full of interesting anecdotes as he then drove us all around the city to see the highlights. I highly recommend the tour and that you seek out Mike.
An Exceptional Panama City Experience Thanks to Jose
Road45703667412,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our private tour of the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, and Panama City was truly unforgettable—and that’s entirely thanks to Jose. From the moment we met him, it was clear that he is not just a tour guide, but a passionate ambassador for Panama. Jose’s knowledge is deep and wide-ranging, and he shared history, context, and local insight in a way that was engaging and easy to absorb. What really set him apart, though, was how attentive and generous he was with his time and energy. After listening carefully to our interests, he went out of his way to adjust the itinerary and introduce us to additional points of interest we never would have found on our own. He struck the perfect balance between professionalism and warmth, making the day feel both seamless and personal. We never felt rushed, and every stop felt intentional and thoughtfully chosen. If you’re looking for a guide who is knowledgeable, intuitive, and genuinely invested in creating a meaningful experience—not just checking boxes—Jose is your guy. We couldn’t recommend him more highly.
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Operated by Panamaroutes