Things to do in
Gatun Lake

Gatun Lake: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Panama City: Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour

From Panama City: Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour

Spend half a day exploring the Panama Canal while learning about its history and creation. See the famed Miraflores Locks in action and take a scenic boat ride in the Panama Canal. Get picked up at your hotel or other location in Panama City, and journey to the Panama Canal Visitors Center for a detailed explanation about how the canal and famous Miraflores Locks work. Visit the museum to learn more about this important water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Drive by Miraflores Lake and the Pedro Miguel Locks as you make your way to the Chagres River. Climb aboard for a scenic boat trip across artificial Gatun Lake. Marvel at the surrounding landscape of the biggest and most important lake in the Panama Canal. Watch as large ships pass through the canal to get a sense of the magnitude of this masterpiece of engineering. Arrive at a group of islands to see different species of animals and monkeys. Return to Panama City and get dropped off at your hotel.

Panama City: Monkey Island Boat Tour

Panama City: Monkey Island Boat Tour

After collection from your hotel in Panama City you'll head directly to the canal to see the Miraflores Lake, the Pedro Miguel Locks and finally, the journey continues by car until the town of Gamboa, in the middle of the Panama Canal. There, at the edge of the Chagres River, you'll take a trip by boat to the Gatun Lake - the biggest and most important lake in the Panama Canal. There you will share space with large ships during the journey through the Panama Canal until you arrive at a group of islands to find 3 monkey species who live there plus a variety of wildlife including birds, turtles, crocodiles, sloths and more. After the trip, you will go back to the Panama City and enjoy the view of the tropical rainforest and the canal on your way back to the hotel.

From Panama City: Monkey Islands Tour on Gatun Lake

From Panama City: Monkey Islands Tour on Gatun Lake

Travel to the Gamboa Marina in an air-conditioned tour vehicle with a guide and the rest of the tour group, before a transfer to a riverboat for a ride on the Chagres River, one of Panama's largest rivers, and head for Monkey Island. Observe the different species of monkeys that live on the island, from white-face monkeys, howler monkeys, and Geoffrey´s tamarinds, while taking some time to snap photos, and learn interesting facts and information about the different species from a knowledgeable guide. Return to the marina and to Panama City, and end the tour with drop-off at the hotel.

Panama: Monkey Island, Sloth Sanctuary Tour and Panama Canal

Panama: Monkey Island, Sloth Sanctuary Tour and Panama Canal

After a pickup from your hotel, head to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort in the Soberania National Park. From here board a boat and sail on Gatun Lake next to the huge ships that cross the Panama Canal. Admire the fauna and vegetation of the tropical forest, as well as Monkey Island where you have the chance to see white-faced capuchin monkeys and howler monkeys in their natural habitat. Continue on to the Sloth Sanctuary to observe three-toed and two-toed sloths that have been rescued. Learn about the life and habits of the sloths, as well as the efforts for the conservation of the species through the volunteers and specialized guides. From the Sloth Sanctuary, move on to the Butterfly House where you can see the butterflies that live in the rainforest such as the colorful Blue Morpho Butterfly. You will also visit the orchid and frog exhibitions to discover more about the species that live in the rainforest.

From Panama City: Gamboa Rainforest Guided Tour with Lunch

From Panama City: Gamboa Rainforest Guided Tour with Lunch

Explore the Panamanian rain forest while gliding smoothly through treetops on an aerial tram. Learn the jungle's most interesting facts from a naturalist guide. Watch colorful birds flying around you.  Take a boat ride through the Panama Canal, observing marine life. End your tour with a delicious lunch. Board a tram bound for a 280-feet peak surrounded by leafy jungle. While going up to the observation tower, enjoy fabulous views of the Chagres River, the Embera indigenous community, and much of the Soberania National Park. Gamboa is home to many natural labs including a butterfly farm, an orchids center, and a frog pond. See around 20 species of butterflies native to Panama at the Butterfly House. Get up close to the sloths at the Sloth Sanctuary. This sanctuary hosts a rehabilitation and training program for injured, sick, and orphaned sloths. Enjoy a scenic boat tour along the Panama Canal's waterways. Observe the fascinating tropical wildlife of Gatun Lake and the surrounding forest. Get a chance to spot crocodiles, caimans, sloths, monkeys, and a host of birds with the help of your guide.

Panama City: Private Panama Canal & Monkey Island Boat Tour

Panama City: Private Panama Canal & Monkey Island Boat Tour

I will pick you up from your location in Panama City. After we will go together to Gamboa. During our way you will have many historical information about the Panama Canal. I would like to show you the lake of Gatun natural environment. You should come to see the lake and part of the coast. I will take you through the part of the Panama Canal. It's a perfect moment to see how the big ships crossing the canal. You could be the part one of the most interesting encounters with the different kind of animals like monkeys, crocodiles, birds. This lake is one of the untouchable wild territory area. A professional boat captain will care about your safety. I will pick you up in Panama City and take you to Gamboa. The transportation is include in the price. And many more...... :-) If you are a solo traveler and you want to come up alone please contact me before you book! Thank you!

Monkey Island and Indian Village Tour

Monkey Island and Indian Village Tour

Leave the city behind in the morning and head to the Chagres River where you will board a boat for a 2-hour tour of Lake Gatun (once the largest manmade lake in the world) and the Panama Canal. Explore the ins and outs of the nearby bays, search for wildlife, and visit the famous Monkey Island, home of the amazing white-faced monkeys. Also, keep an eye out for turtles, crocodiles, caiman, tons of bird life, and all kinds of other surprises. Return towards Gamboa, pass the dock, and head upstream to the Indian village. Unlike most Indian village tours, this one is authentic. Learn about the local culture, history, and crafts. Then, hike along a short trail to see the plants that grow in this area and how the locals use them (practical, artist, or medical uses) and see dance that is part of their custom. After visiting the village, return to Panama City and stop along the way for lunch and arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon.

Panama City: Guided Jungle Adventure with Gatun Lake Cruise

Panama City: Guided Jungle Adventure with Gatun Lake Cruise

Get ready to be swept away by the sights and sounds of this vibrant country on a 5-hour adventure into the heart of the Panama Jungle and the Gatun Lake, part of the famous Panama Canal. Begin with a scenic drive to Gamboa, where you'll board a boat for a 90-minute cruise through the lake. Observe monkeys, sloths, toucans, and crocodiles, while expert guides share their knowledge. Disembark and hike through the lush rainforest of Soberania National Park throught Pipeline Road, observing rare orchids, colorful birds, and elusive mammals. Conclude with a relaxing ride back to Gamboa and transport back to your hotel or accommodation. This tour is perfect for nature lovers, history buffs, and anyone who wants to discover the magic of Panama while exploring the breathtaking beauty of Soberania National Park.

Panama City: Soberania National Park Private Rainforest Hike

Panama City: Soberania National Park Private Rainforest Hike

Get picked up at your hotel and settle in for the van ride to Soberania National Park, an important natural reserve only 45 minutes away from the city. The Park is vital for the Canal of Panama functioning due to the rainforest and Gatun Lake water tributaries. Pass by the former Canal Zone, the Pedro Miguel Locks, Centenario Bridge, and the French Cemetery (in honor of the canal workers) along the way. Hike through a dense tropical canopy accompanied by a guide. Look out for birds, monkeys, butterflies, frogs and many others species while listening to informative commentary about the region’s incredible biodiversity. Take one of the recommended trails (Plantation or Pipeline Road), depending the day and the season. Traverse both flat and hilly sections as you wind through an old forest. Immerse yourself in a bird-watching paradise as you enjoy the colorful variety of local birdlife. Get dropped off back at your hotel in Panama City at the end of the hike.

From Panama City: Rainforest Zipline Adventure

From Panama City: Rainforest Zipline Adventure

Get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling zipline adventure through the Panamanian rainforest. After getting picked up from your hotel in Panama City, head to Gatun Lake for your ziplining adventure. We will stop at the Gamboa Rainforest Hotel for observing the spectacular views of the Chagres River. Later, we will be dressed with the security equipment and we will receive the instructions and the security speech. after that we will be ready for the action. Enjoy different ziplines across a 2-kilometer route that offers spectacular views of the rainforest and maximum safety and security. Once the activity is finished we will return to Panama City.

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What people are saying about Gatun Lake

Overall rating

4.7
(377 reviews)

Luis picked us up straight from our hotel and we grabbed a quick snack before heading to the Canal. Luis was very kind, funny, and knowledgeable, answering any questions we had. We had such a great time visiting the Canal and after getting to Monkey Island. We took a boat ride on the canal, passed shipping containers and were able to see all three species of monkey - the Capuchin, Tamarind and Howler. There was an abundance of wildlife including bats and lizards which was also exciting. Overall, we had such a good experience thanks to Luis. We would recommend this to anyone visiting Panama - there’s so much packed into this tour!

Dan our guide was wonderfull Gave us a lot of explanations and was patient when we wanted to see more of the canal and more of the monkeys Overall a GREAT experience ! even though the tour is a bit too expensive

My tour was complete, mine went to Logan who was very helpful, he spoke to me in English since I don't speak much Spanish and explained all the places and I had a great experience. I recommend it!

Great Tour, we saw different Monkeys, Tucans, Bats. Beautiful biat ride along the canal.

Demetrius our guide was great!!! He was knowledgeable and made the 5 hrs a lot of fun