Explore the legendary Panama Canal, get up close with wildlife on Gatun Lake, and enjoy a traditional Panamanian brunch in the heart of historic Casco Viejo.
Your buffet-style Panamanian brunch includes: • Pollo Guisado (traditional stewed chicken) • Carimañolas (yuca stuffed with cheese or meat) • Empanadas • Hojaldres (Panamanian fry bread) • Local queso blanco (fresh white cheese) • Fresh local tropical fruits • Vegetarian options available • Fresh juices and Panamanian coffee In case of rain, you'll be comfortably seated indoors at Restaurante El Nacional, where the same delicious menu and cultural storytelling will continue in a stylish, colonial-era dining space. This unforgettable day combines nature, culture, history, and cuisine into a seamless, enriching experience—perfect for travelers looking to connect with the true essence of Panama.
Duration: 4 hours
1:30pm : Enjoy the afternoon Panama Canal boat ride with a visit to the Monkey Islands
Pickup included
To start this tour, you will be picked up at central Panama City Hotels and taken to the old Panama Canal Zone. Pickup at hotels outside of central Panama City can be arranged at an additional cost.
Your day begins with a journey into one of the most fascinating intersections of nature and engineering in the world: Gatun Lake, a vast manmade lake that forms a critical part of the Panama Canal. You'll board a covered motorboat and set off on a wildlife safari through its winding channels and jungle-lined shores. As you cruise across the iconic Panama Canal, you’ll glide past enormous cargo ships and ocean liners, sharing the lake with vessels from around the world. Your expert local guide will take you off the main canal route and into the hidden backwaters and narrow inlets where the jungle comes alive. Keep your camera ready for capuchin monkeys, tamarin monkeys howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, toucans, crocodiles, and even basilisk lizards that run across the water. The boat ride offers both awe-inspiring views and rare up-close encounters with Panama’s diverse wildlife.
After your time in the rainforest, you'll travel to Casco Viejo, the beautifully restored colonial quarter of Panama City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vibrant district, with its cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and historic architecture, tells the story of centuries of Panamanian history. In the heart of it all—Plaza Catedral, facing the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral—you’ll enjoy a brunch curated by the internationally renowned Restaurante El Nacional. Dine outdoors in the plaza as the sounds of the city and the ambiance of old Panama surround you. While you enjoy your meal, your tour guide will share the rich history and fascinating stories of Casco Viejo, from its colonial origins to modern-day restoration efforts that have transformed it into one of the most charming neighborhoods in Latin America. After brunch, you will have the option to stay in Casco Viejo and explore on your own or you can be transported back to your Panama City hotel.
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Please arrive at the pick up point 20 minutes before departure time.
We will start the pick ups 20 minutes before the starting time, we will send you a message with the exact time the day before the tour around 5:00pm, once we have the list complet of hotels. Hotels near the Tocumen Airport need to arrange a separate transportation to meet the group starting at central Panama city. For Playa Bonita Hotels you need to pay an extra of $10 per person total roundtrip to arrange a separate car to bring you to meet the group in downtown Panama city. Pick up at Cruiseship ports are not possible for SHARED tours.
• You can expect your hotel pick-up to be between 1:00pm and 1:15pm for Hotels in Central Panama City Areas. For Hotels located in Outside Panama City Areas, pick-ups start at 12:30 or 12:15pm Please do not call us since we will not know your exact pickup time until the afternoon before the tour (around 5:00pm) at that time we will have the list complete of Hotels and we will send you an email with your hotel pickup details. • The tour starts in a very remote area and there will be no access to public restrooms until around 1 hour after pick up. • During the tour we will be entering some remote areas and it is up to you how much you want to explore outside of the bus. A short sleeve shirt and shorts are fine, closed toe shoes that you won't mind getting muddy. • The boat has a roof, but if it rains there is a chance you will get wet. We have umbrellas and ponchos for your use, but rain is a fact of life in the rain forest and must be prepared for no matter what time of year. • In case of emergency call +507 6628-7246