Things to do in Panamá Oeste

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 on the Chagres River. 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.

Experience the Panama Canal in the most authentic way, by crossing it on board a ship. This 6-hour tour from Panama City will take you to the world famous Miraflores Locks, where you can watch huge ocean-going vessels transiting the canal just a few feet away. Your partial Panama Canal transit starts with a coach ride to Gamboa, where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. On arrival, board the cruise ship and enter the canal at the north end of Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut, also known as Culebra Cut due to its serpent-like curve, was carved through the Continental Divide, making it one of the canal’s most popular attractions. Travel for 8.2 miles (13.7 kilometers) on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you transit the Cut you will observe the continuous maintenance that the area requires, and the work in progress for the Panama Canal expansion project. View the new Centennial Bridge before you enter Pedro Miguel Locks. Here your vessel will be lowered 29.5 feet (9 meters) in one step. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks. At Miraflores Locks the vessel will be lowered another 52.5 feet (16 meters) in 2 distinct steps. Once at the Pacific Ocean, sail to the beautiful Flamenco Marina to disembark. On the way to Flamenco, pass under the Bridge of the Americas, and admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City's spectacular skyline.

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.

Our guide will collect you at 7:30 am from your city hotel, we will head the 7 wonders of modern engineering, the Panama Canal, the visitor center Miraflores visitor center (entrance fee not included) Then we will visit the former US fort and Canal Zone and US Governor office which is the current Canal Administration Building. We will drive and cross the Bridge of the America to take amazing picture of the city entrance and chinese presence monument. Time to visit the amazing open sky colonial and West Indies museum where you will learn from real Panamanian architecture and tradition. Finally, we will stroll along the charming cobblestone streets of Casco Antiguo . Tracing its history to 1673 and filled with splendid Colonial architecture, this Unesco World Heritage Site is today one of Panama City’s liveliest districts. There are Local and Indigenous arts & crafts at Casco Antiguo. We will bring you to your city hotel around 2:00 pm.

Travel southbound through the Panama Canal during this 6-hour tour from Panama City. With your local guide, board a bus for a 45-minute journey to Gamboa, home of the Panama Canal Dredging Division. Meet your vessel, the Pacific Queen, for a trip through the Gailard cut, the Pedro Miguel Locks, and the Miraflores Locks. Admire scenic views of the Centennial Bridge, the Chagres River, and the Bridge of the Americas. Eat a complimentary lunch on board during your journey. Disembark at the Flamenco Marina in Panama City. - Journey southbound through the Panama Canal - Travel on a small vessel to see the workings of the locks up close - Navigate through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks - Box Lunch is provided onboard the boat.

Head to the Gamboa community for this exciting zip line experience. Elevate to the top of trees through a series of cables and get an unbeatably clear view of the rain forest’s greenery and landscapes as you make your way through 10 zip line platforms. To start, get picked up from Panama City before taking an approximately 1-hour drive to Gamboa. Meet the zip line instructor and get a basic zip lining lesson before starting your adventure. Completing the 10 zip line platforms takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. After enjoying your time in the rain forest, get dropped back off in Panama.

Experience a relaxing northbound cruise on the Panama Canal aboard the glorious Pacific Queen. Enjoy a complimentary lunch while admiring the breathtaking landscape passing slowly by you.  Pass through the Culebra Cut, the Pedro Miguel Locks, and the engineering marvel of the Miraflores Locks. Learn how the locks are controlled to allow ships to pass through, while tucking into your lunch. Feel the waves beneath your feet as you admire scenic views of the Puente Centenario, the Chagres River, and the brilliant Bridge of the Americas, connecting North and South America. Wave goodbye to the Pacific Queen but hold onto the memories, as you disembark at Gamboa before returning to Panama City.

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.

Explore the highlights of Panama City in the company of a local to acquire a deeper sense of appreciation for its history and culture. Travel through the many landmarks along the Panama Canal, explore the Causeway Islands, and stroll through the historic Casco Viejo. Enjoy a transfer from your accommodation and begin your journey by heading over to the canal. Stop by the Miraflores Locks to observe how ships travel through them. Allow your guide to give you a thorough explanation of the locks' functions and the canal's operations. Move on to gaze at the famous Bridge of the Americas. Drive around the incredible Causeway Islands, sitting at the end of the canal and connected to the mainland by a narrow road. Take in the city skyline from afar, then stop for an optional Panamanian lunch at your own expense. Explore the historic district of Casco Viejo, the oldest part of the city. Walk around the charming streets as you learn about the major sites and browse through the ancient squares for the most amazing handicrafts. End your journey with a transfer back to your hotel.

Board a catamaran from Panama City, heading toward Taboga Island, located just 20 kilometers off the cost. Capture sights of the Bridge of the Americas, the Amador Causeway, and the Bay of Panama. Drop anchor in a virgin bay, and take advantage of the sea until lunchtime. Relax in the sun, listen to music and enjoy an open-bar onboard. Then, navigate toward the main beach and the town of Taboga to enjoy lunch on the catamaran. Afterward, opt to go down to the island to visit the town and take advantage of the beach or continue with the vibe on the catamaran before riding back to Panama City.