Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour and visit the most important sites and landmarks of Panama. Tour both the historical and modern areas of Panama City and visit the world-famous Panama Canal, whose impressive system of locks continues to fascinate visitors. Choose between a half-day or full-day tour.
Your Panama City and Canal Sightseeing Tour begins with pickup from your Panama City hotel and a scenic drive through the modern area of town. As you wind your way toward the colonial neighborhood, your guide will point out areas of interest along the way. The Casco Antiguo district, built in 1673, boasts impressive Spanish architectural design and is home to many famous plazas, cobblestone streets and public parks. Transport yourself back in history as you visit France Plaza, Las Bovedas, the San Jose church with its gold altar, the Flat Arch and the Cathedral church.
Next, you'll travel to the famous Panama Canal, driving through the French quarter along the way. This is where the French workers, led by Ferdinand de Lesseps (who initiated the construction of the Panama Canal), built their houses in typical French architectural style.
The Panama Canal has many interesting surrounding landmarks, including the Palacio de las Garzas (the President of Panama's official office), the enchanted Balboa area and the Panama Canal Administration Building. You'll have time to capture various pictures of the canal itself, as well as of the famous Panama Canal Locks. The locks, known to be one of the greatest engineering innovations of the time, were built in 1909, 22 years prior to the start of the complex building of the Hoover Dam.
If possible, the schedule will be accommodated to allow you to watch vessels as they travel through the Miraflores Locks, one of the canal’s other lock systems. Your tour also includes admission to the Panama Canal Visitors Center.
If you choose the full-day tour option, you'll then head over to Amador Causeway, a manmade network of beautiful islands. Among palm trees and other tropical flora, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Panama Canal and the Panama City skyline.
Bookings was easy and tour bus was on time. Juan was very knowledgeable and great planner as well so I didn't stuck in any queue.
Review by: dja01, July 2017
The tour guide was very good and knowledgeable however I booked a whole day tour for 174 half day was 104 and as there was only 3 of us on the tour, the other two went back to their hotel and I went to lunch with the guide. Lunch was good however immediately after lunch I was driven back to hotel to end the tour. I basically paid 70 for lunch expecting a continuation of tour afterwords. Take half day and go for your own lunch. I have reached out to Viator and will update if/ when they respond. I do love using this company though.
Review by: matthewsse, January 2017
The excursion was over and beyond expected by the family and I. The tour guide and driver forgive me if I state their names incorrectly did an incredible job. Thomas, our tour guide, was pleasant and informative who in my opinion went above his duties giving us an educational and delightful day. Our driver, Eduardo, made the full day tour ride very comfortable on that hot summer day in December. The stops canal, museum, and shops and citys tours and sceneries old, colonial, new were amazing and fascinating. Even the lunch, as simple as it was, was surprisingly enjoying. Thank You, Viator.
Review by: Eileen S, March 2016
Our tour guide Juan was very knowledgeable and personable. He put together an efficient tour of the Canal, Casco Viejo and other sights. We spent about 4 hours with him and enjoyed it. Good way to see the city highlights.
Review by: Jerold V, March 2016
This tour was just awesome! Very informative! Our guide, Danae, was a sweetheart and she was the best guide possible for this trip. She was very knowledgeable about the whole city and helpful with tips for things to do places to eat other than during the trip. Definitely worth the money.
Review by: JUDY V, March 2016
Okay, not very impressing, too pricey. Lunch was really bad, nothing local was offered - Tasteless and_br/_ unappetizing. Guide was knowledgeable and friendly.
Review by: Brian L J, February 2016
The tour was fine, and Hector taught us a lot about Casco Viejo and the Canal. And, he answered lots of questions about life in Panama, which was helpful. But, on reflection, this was not great value. For the price for two of us, we could have spent the money more wisely. For example, we could have taken a bus or taxi to the Miraflores Canal Interpretive Centre, paid the entry by ourselves, and learned as much about the canal as we learned from Hector.
Review by: Vaughn M, January 2016
We had a wonderful time our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We would recommend this to any first time visitor to Panama.
Review by: gnmia, December 2015
We had a very good tour, They were on time and the canal was out standing. Thanks_br/_ for the service._br/_ George
Review by: William A, November 2015
great tour guide
Review by: LILIANNE D, October 2015
Our tour guide was exceptionally we'll versed in English and had all the information @ hand. What a wonderful end to our holiday!
Review by: Abraham E, September 2015
Tour guides on time and very professional.
Review by: Abraham E, August 2015
Tour guides on time and very professional.
Review by: morganaponte, July 2015
Tour was OK they were late in picking us up by 45 minute so we played catch up all day, lunch was not good, could have save plenty of money by taking 1/2 day tour and forget lunch. Disappointed ,
Review by: Janet F, July 2015
The pick up for this trip was so disorganized that the company put us on the wrong tour. We did not end up _br/_
doing this at all because they put us on a boat we were not supposed to be on. By the time we figured out that it was not part of the city tour it was too late. The company takes everyone to a pier for the tours, don't get on the boat!
Review by: Kiel R, July 2015
My family and I had a excellent time during our tour of the canal and city! Jose exhibited profound knowledge of the history and functionality of the canal. He also had excellent knowledge of the city and marine life in Panama. We give this tour 5 stars!_br/_
Thank you._br/_
The Rottgen Familly, Houston, TX USA
Review by: Duane F, June 2015
Fairly average tour, very expensive for what it was there are other cheaper options to see the same. That said the guide was good and friendly, the driver safe and helpful.
Review by: Gregory C, June 2015
Giovanni, the tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable. She gave lots of insight about the history of the city as well as current events. She was patient and showed us things that we probably wouldn't have otherwise seen. She was magnificent! The tour was excellent. I highly recommend it.
Review by: Jackie W, March 2015
Our 1/2 day tour was excellent! There were just 4 of us and Alex our tour guide. We couldn't have asked for a better introduction to Panama City. Alex was so knowledgeable and very friendly and enthusiastic. Highly recommend this tour.
Review by: Barbara K, February 2015
Very much enjoyed the tour. Could have spent more time at the Miraflores Museum. Guide wasn't as informative as the one we had on the Cruise Tour, was also a bit abrupt. The tour was supposed to be a 4-hour tour, we were picked up at 9 am and the guide kept reminding us that we HAD TO BE DONE by 12 noon.
Review by: Wesley D, February 2015
Great. Fantastic tour guide.
Review by: Rajnikant S, January 2015
Trip description is misleading - you only get to see the locks visitor center, not the canal museum. If you could see both and the old city, then the price would be fair. Given what trip included, cheaper and better to go straight to locks visitor center and see old city separately.
Review by: Nai Mei Y, December 2014
Very nice, knowledgable guide
Review by: Frances J S, December 2014
Excellent overview of the city, it's history and surrounding areas. A good basis for knowing what else we wanted to explore. Really enjoyed the day with Elmer. He's a good man wanting to help better his community and students.
Review by: Susan v, October 2014
The tour was terrific, only in part because everyone else had signed up for the full day, so for the half day we had a private guide. And he was the BEST GUIDE EVER -- "Joshua." We have taken tours in cities all over the world, and Joshua was the most informed. He was pleasant, enthusiastic and had a sense of humor. He was very knowledgeable not only about historical sites but about global history and how it impacted Panama; Panamas economic and political history; the relevant US history; current issues and trends in Panama. In 4 short hours, we learned not only a great deal about Panama City and the Canal, but also were given the opportunity to develop a deep appreciation for the Panamanian culture. Well worth the time and money. (Note to Viator: Joshua was not with the subcontractor indicated on our voucher; he was with a tour company; you should get him signed up exclusively - -he is a real asset.) Overall the tour was well structured, hitting the key points of the City and the Canal so we could pick where to spend our extra day in Panama.
Review by: David M, June 2014
The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. If not for him the tour would had been a total bust. The driver was absolutely horrible. His heavy use of the gas and break pedals got us all sick. He couldn't keep the van at a steady speed even when there was nobody in front of him. The provided lunch was decent and served at a nice restaurant, though the server messed up an order and was reluctant to fix it. Our guide stepped in and got it corrected. Even with lunch, the tour felt expensive for what we got, but I guess that's the price of being guided around rather than finding our own way. I'd say if you have time and don't mind doing a little research on your own, use the public transportation to see the same places and save a ton of cash.
Review by: David M P, March 2014
Would have been "4-star", but bus arrived over 1/2 hour late.
Review by: Norbert F, November 2013
Pick-up was 30 Minutes late.The guide did not explain much about the sights. He told us to ask questions if we want to know something. Nothing about the history of Panama, nothing about the places we were passing. Then we spent to much time at a duty free shop instead of using the time in Casco Viejo. I thought we booked a city tour, not a shopping tour! Questions asked were answered wrong. Yes Caesar, Casco Viejo is a World Heritage site!
Review by: Linda J, June 2013
Our guide seem to rush us through the Canal part of the tour. Then after the old city tour, he turned up his radio in the car so loud we could not hardly talk to him to ask questions. This was a VERY over price tour.
Review by: Angel R, April 2013
the guides were knowledgeable and friendly; the tour itself gives you plenty of time at the canal Miraflores lock and through the historic old city.
Review by: Quentin C, February 2013
The tour itself was excellent however the tour guide was an hour late and I had to call several times to find out when he would arrive. It appears he was told the tour started an hour later.
Review by: Nikolay G, January 2013
We booked the full-day version, which was supposed to last 8 am - 4 pm, with lunch. However, the tour was shortened and rushed. We spent only about 45 min in the old town, about 75 min at the Miraflores locks, and may be 30 min in Panama Vieja. My recommendation: allow at least 90 min for each site
Review by: Ronald F, December 2012
Many of signts listed were closed, and unavailable. Tour guide seemed_br/_
disinterested, and not very informative.
Review by: NAZIR B, July 2012
This tour was made great by the tour guide Kevin.
Review by: Yulia E, June 2012
Our guide was somewhat inexperienced - not saying he was bad, but he was young and really did not provide much information that could have not been read in the museum. We did not feel like we saw much of the city. $60 for the tour is an overkill - take a taxi to all destinations, especially if your party is more than one - taxi is very cheap in Panama - you can get anywhere within tour's reach for $3. You will save time and money and will not lose on quality.
Review by: Yulia E, May 2012
Our guide was somewhat inexperienced - not saying he was bad, but he was young and really did not provide much information that could have not been read in the museum. We did not feel like we saw much of the city. $60 for the tour is an overkill - take a taxi to all destinations, especially if your party is more than one - taxi is very cheap in Panama - you can get anywhere within tour's reach for $3. You will save time and money and will not lose on quality.
Review by: Ebony M, April 2012
Great tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal. Tour guide "Kevin" was very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions. I recommend the tour.
Review by: jayne, March 2012
So glad I did the city tour—it was great! I forgot to confirm 24 hours before but I called early morning and they were able to accommodate me in the morning tour. It was really like a private tour, just one other woman who was visiting from Norway. Our young guide was adorable and well-versed in Panama City history. Covered a lot of ground, including the Canal, Casco Viejo, the new downtown and the Amador Causeway. It was a great way to see the city in limited time—I highly recommend it!
Review by: terry u, March 2012
The intial guide furnished spoke poor English and was not familar with the city. After significant complaining to local management we did get an independent guide (Felix) who was excellent. The tour he conducted was great.
Review by: Henry N, January 2012
The Canal was interesting.It is definitly worth visiting. We did not see much of the city, but maybe it was because we didn't sign up for the full day tour.
Review by: Anonymous, August 2008
The trip to the canal was superb and being able to go through the museum, out on the observation deck, and see the movie was very helpful to understanding the canal. The trip down the Amador Causeway and to the section of town where Noriega had his compound was also good.
Review by: Carol H, August 2008
The trip to the canal was superb and being able to go through the museum, out on the observation deck, and see the movie was very helpful to understanding the canal. The trip down the Amador Causeway and to the section of town where Noriega had his compound was also good.
Review by: Theresa L, August 2008
Even though we were in a small mini-van we could not hear the driver speaking. It would have been helpful if he had a microphone.
Review by: Theresa L, May 2008
Even though we were in a small mini-van we could not hear the driver speaking. It would have been helpful if he had a microphone.
Review by: Anonymous, October 2007
Our driver translated for the tour guide as we do not speak Spanish. I felt he did a good job and made an effort to always include us in the tour. In general we found the city tour quite interesting and the canal was fascinating.
Review by: Trish W, October 2007
Our driver translated for the tour guide as we do not speak Spanish. I felt he did a good job and made an effort to always include us in the tour. In general we found the city tour quite interesting and the canal was fascinating.
Review by: William S, October 2007
The tour was fine, our driver was very personable and professional. My complaint is that you emailed me "tour must be reconfirmed 48 hours in advance". It is impossible to do that when you're already on a plane to your destination! By the time we landed in Panama the local tour office was closed. Once we got on the tour, everything was fine and we had a good time.
Review by: William S, July 2007
The tour was fine, our driver was very personable and professional. My complaint is that you emailed me "tour must be reconfirmed 48 hours in advance". It is impossible to do that when you're already on a plane to your destination! By the time we landed in Panama the local tour office was closed. Once we got on the tour, everything was fine and we had a good time.
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