Panama Canal Full Transit Tour - Official Operator

4.6 (301 reviews) 12 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

301 reviews

4.6

Panama Canal Full Transit Tour - Official Operator — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Panama Canal Full Transit Tour - Official Operator, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Book directly with Panama Marine Adventures, the official operator of this Panama Canal transit experience — not a third-party reseller.
Complete a bucket-list, ocean-to-ocean full transit of the Panama Canal.
Transit through the Canal’s locks and experience its operation up close.
Discover more than 100 years of Panama Canal history along the way.
Travel comfortably aboard the spacious M/V Pacific Queen, with both open-air and air-conditioned areas.

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At a glance

Duration: 12 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 180 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Panama Marine Adventures

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Snacks in the afternoon
Included: Professional guide
Included: Lunch
Included: Bus transportation from Colon back to Panama
Included: Breakfast
Included: Unlimited sodas and waters

Not included

Not included: Alcoholic beverages onboard

Itinerary

Panama Marine Adventures

30 min

Our check in point is at Flamenco Marina, located on the last island of the Amador Causeway. It is right next to the Panama sign and behind the Duty Free Shop. The exact tour time will be confirmed the day before. The time shown on the booking platform is approximate. Please check your email the day before the tour for the final details.
Bridge of the Americas

Passing by

The Bridge of the Americas is a road bridge in Panama, which spans the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Designed by Sverdrup & Parcel, it was completed in 1962 at a cost of US$20 million, connecting the north and south American land masses.
Panama Canal

Admission included

The vessel will then transit through the first set of locks, the Miraflores Locks, where it will ascend 18 meters in two distinct steps. Next, the Pacific Queen will enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel Locks from Miraflores Locks. The vessel will transit through Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side.

After exiting Pedro Miguel locks, the Pacific Queen will travel through 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.
Gatun Lake

During your Panama Canal full transit tour you will enjoy a trip through Gatun Lake, which was formed by erecting the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. As you transit through Gatun Lake you will pass the Smithsonian Research Station at Barro Colorado. You will also experience the Gatun Locks, which are the only set of locks in the Atlantic sector. In Gatun Locks, the vessel will be lowered a total of 26 meters in three distinct chambers. Upon arriving at Colon, you will disembark at Colon 2000, where transportation back to Panama City will be provided.
Chagres River

Passing by

The Chagres River in central Panama, is the largest river in the Panama Canal’s watershed. In the past, this river was an important means of communication between one coast and the other, as it was part of the famous colonial road “Cruces”, originally built by the Spanish crown during the 16th century and of massive use by adventurers and explorers during the following centuries until the creation of the Panama Canal. During the 20th Century the river was dammed twice, and the resulting reservoirs – Gatun Lake and Lake Alajuela – formed an integral part of the canal and its water system.
Barro Colorado Island

Passing by

Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, the vast jungle area that is now the Gatun Lake was teeming with an overwhelming abundance of wildlife. As the region was flooded to create the lake, animals took refuge in the mountain peaks, which are now the many islands that dot the renowned lake. Barro Colorado Island is the biggest island formed where the Smithsonian Research Institute has established the most important research center in Panama due to its biodiversity.
Centennial Bridge

Passing by

Panama's Centennial Bridge is a major bridge crossing the Panama Canal. It was built to supplement the overcrowded Bridge of the Americas and to replace it as the carrier of the Pan-American Highway. Upon its opening in 2004, it became the second permanent crossing of the canal.
Gatun Lake

Passing by

Gatun Lake forms a major part of the Panama Canal and it was created between 1907 and 1913 by the construction of the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. The lake is situated in the Valley of the Chagres River and the geography was ideal for the creation of a large lake. The damming of the river flooded the originally wooded valley and hills although many hilltops became islands. At the time it was created, Gatun Lake was the largest man-made lake in the world.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Located behind the Duty Free, next to the PANAMA sign.

Please Note: The exact check-in time will be confirmed the day before your tour via email. Please make sure you check your inbox.

End point

Located behind the Duty Free, next to the PANAMA sign.

Please Note: The exact check-in time will be confirmed the day before your tour via email. Please make sure you check your inbox.

Using your ticket

The tour time is provided as reference. We will contact you via email on the day before of the tour to reconfirm the check-in time, as the times may vary. Panama Canal tour departures, arrivals, schedules and itineraries are subject to change according to the operating conditions established by the Panama Canal Authority. Arrival and departure times are provided as a guide only.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

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
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please Note: The exact check-in time will be confirmed the day before your tour via email. Please make sure you check your inbox.