Panama Canal
The Queen Victoria navigating the Panama Canal, Panama
The Queen Victoria navigating the Panama Canal, Panama

Panama Canal Tours and Tickets

4,955 reviews

The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel that has connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans since 1914. Experience the canal up close on a transit tour, during which you’ll pass through three sets of locks and witness them filling with water. You’ll also see Gatun Lake, created by the Gatún Dam, and Culebra Cut, one of the narrowest sections hewn out of mountains. Visit the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center to learn more about the building of the canal. You can also watch ships pass from the observation decks. You can also admire the Panama Canal on a train ride through the rainforest to Gatún Locks.

Tours and Tickets to Experience Panama Canal

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What are people saying about Panama Canal

Vera_m, Nov 2023
Well spent layover and great guide
Logan was knowledgeable and efficient and was a pleasure to have as a guide. In a 4 hour period we were able to see a quick tour of the Panama Canal and an imax movie about the history of the canal. We went through the old and new cities and got a great overview of the area. Well spent layover.
BAYANI_V, Nov 2023
Panama City 2 Day Layover
Our Tour Guide, Rick Guerra is truly exceptional and very attentive to our family. Being ahead of other visitors at the Panama Canal and other attractions that even local people do not know exists made our day memorable.. He guided us where to shop, eat, get the best gelato and even hiddden bars. He seemed like he has the key to the entire city and secret passage to different churches at Casco Viejo (old town). Amazing guy.! Thank you Rick.
bj2527, Nov 2023
Panama Adventure
The Panama Canal Tour was an amazing experience! The tour guide was most informative. The onboard food was a tasty sample of the Panamanian cuisine. The staff were so helpful and courteous. I recommend taking a day to enjoy this engineering marvel!
Turnette_M, Oct 2023
Great experience!!!
The movie on the Panama Canal was truly amazing! Our tour guide Richard was so knowledgeable. He made the whole day so special. Was truly my best day tour in Panama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What are Panama Canal hours of operation?
A:
Panama Canal hours of operation: . Buy tickets in advance on Viator. If you book with Viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
People Also Ask
Q:How much does a Panama Canal tour cost?
A:Panama Canal tours vary widely in cost, depending on length and whether they involve excursions like kayaking. Generally speaking, you’ll find tour prices in the range of US$50–$300 per person. The cheapest way to visit is by heading to the Miraflores Visitor Center, where there’s an observation deck that overlooks the locks.
Q:What is the best way to tour the Panama Canal?
A:The best way to tour the Panama Canal depends on what you’re looking for. For budget- and time-savers, visit the Miraflores Visitor Center and watch the ships from the observation deck. Partial-transit and full-transit tours cost more, but allow you to cross the entire length of the canal from ocean to ocean.
Q:What is the best month to visit the Panama Canal?
A:In general, most visitors try to avoid Panama’s rainy season, which typically lasts from April to December. The biggest crowds roll in from January to March. If you’d like to avoid them (and avoid paying high-season prices), visit in early April or late December, getting the best of both worlds.
Q:What is the best time of year to do a Panama Canal cruise?
A:The best time of year to do a Panama Canal cruise is January to March (aka the dry season). If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and save a pretty penny, cruise anytime between April and December—though that likely means rain. To test your luck with crowds and clouds, try the shoulder season.
Q:How long does it take for a ship to go through the Panama Canal?
A:Traveling from one ocean to another (from the Pacific to the Atlantic), transiting across the Panama Canal takes 8-10 hours, depending on traffic. That means only about 40 ships can cross the canal a day. And believe it or not, sometimes ships wait up to 3 days to even begin their passage.
Q:Is the Panama Canal worth seeing?
A:Yes, the Panama Canal is worth seeing, as it’s one of humankind’s greatest feats of engineering. Canal operators use a system of locks to lift ships some 85 feet (26 meters) above sea levels. You can watch this process while taking in views of the Panama Canal from the Miraflores Visitor Center’s observation deck.