Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Ride, Locks, Fort San Lorenzo
Description
This unique tour of the Panama Canal goes from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean as you see the canal from the water and by foot. An exciting boat ride down the canal will introduce you to the transiting ships as well as the abundant wildlife on its shores, followed by a visit to Fort San Lorenzo and the new Agua Clara Locks. This is not a TRANSIT tour, we wont travel by boat inside the locks.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This tour begins with hotel pickups starting at 6:10am. I know it sounds crazy to get up so early on your vacation, but you will thank me for it later. Starting this early we can beat the crowds and see more wildlife in cooler temperatures.
We will ride along the waters of the Panama Canal right next to the ships passing through on their way to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Our destination is Gatun Lake, where we will cruise around islands created during the canal construction and see the abundant wildlife on its shores.
The second-largest artificial lake on the continent, the intact rainforest that surround the lake are one of the few accessible areas on the planet where a diverse flora and fauna endemic to Central America can be observed in its natural habitat.
We will visit the Agua Clara Visitor Center to see the new expansion locks working up close. Located on the west side of the brand new Agua Clara Locks, the Agua Clara Visitor Center allows you to observe transiting vessels from a scenic lookout point and learn first hand about the various operations of the Panama Canal, the history of its construction, its participation in the world markets, and the importance of its watershed. An observational deck lets you watch the ships pass through the Agua Clara Locks on their way to the Pacific or Atlantic oceans.
Gatun Locks: A newly inaugurated observation deck near the historical locks offers a scenic view of the original canal and Gatun Lake.
The next stop will be a visit to San Lorenzo National Park where you will visit a remote rainforest full of flora and fauna, followed by a freshly made picnic lunch and a tour Fort San Lorenzo. A 400 year old Spanish fort on a scenic cliff overlooking the Caribbean, here you will recount the many attacks by pirates and privateers that happened at one of the most historically important places in Panama. The Fort of San Lorenzo, located on an 80 foot (25m) cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea at the estuary of the Chagres River, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 along with the fortifications of the city of Portobelo. It was part of the defensive system for the transatlantic trade of the Spanish Crown, and is a fine example of military architecture of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Fort of San Lorenzo is one of the oldest fortresses in Spanish America. Here you will recount the many attacks by pirates and privateers that happened at one of the most historically important places in Panama.
Return to Panama City for Hotel Drop off
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup from centrally located Panama City hotels in the following areas: • El Cangrejo • Obarrio • Punta Pacifica • San Francisco • Punta Paitilla • Avenida Balboa • Bella Vista • Casco Viejo • Marbella • Financial District • El Dorado • Bethania
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- The tour starts in a very remote area and there will be no access to public restrooms around 9am
- Vegetarian and vegan option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
- Minimum age is 3 years
- If you will be staying at a hotel area that is not on the list, please contact your local operator prior to booking your tour
- This tour is in ENGLISH only, we cannot run the tour in 2 languages without the tour quality being compromised.
- Not recommended for travelers with walking problems or other serious medical conditions.
- No Wheelchair accessible
Reviews(1,766)
John was amazing! He was knowledgeable and passionate about what we saw today. He had lots of great information, pictures and stories about the history and culture of Panama and the canal. Viator is lucky to have him as a guide! Our bus driver , Iliar(?) was fantastic and got us where we needed to go safely and in a timely manner. Tours like this remind us why we always choose Viator. Top quality experience from pick up to drop off. Thanks so much!
John and Manuel were fantastic. Very natural and it was a relaxing and fun tour. Great knowledge on the Canals, Lake, Animals and Nungle. On time pick up. Lovely lunch. Great people and tour!!
This experience was worth it. You can't come to Panama and not get a guided tour of the canal lock in Agua Clara. We saw Monkey Island by boat, enjoyed an authentic Panamanian lunch with the jungle as our backdrop. We also visited Fort San Lorenzo. It was a great experience with John as a wonderful guide.
We went as a family with 3 children aged 13 & 15 years. The pickup was punctual with an immediate cheerful guide who welcomed us. After the introduction a ride to the boat to sail on the canal and spot wildlife. Plenty of information was given about the sights. After this at Gamboa a change of guide, again clear communication and an excellent guide who kept us well informed about all the sights at the locks and the fort. Lunch was also well catered for. All in all a fine and wonderful experience for all of us!!
We had such a great day doing the ocean to ocean tour with our guide John and driver Manuel. It was the perfect way to see the jungle and canal. We saw everything I wanted to see like crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, iguanas and ships going though the canal. Everything was well planned out and the lunch was delicious. Highly recommend!
This tour was the highlight of our trip! John was an incredible, kind, and knowledgeable guide who taught us so much about Panamanian history and the canal. We loved the boat ride around Monkey Island, where we spotted tons of wildlife like monkeys, birds, and crocodiles. We also stop on the road and enjoy warching a sloth coming down a tree. Stopping at the Agua Clara Locks to watch the massive ships pass through the expansion was an unforgettable experience. Afterwards, exploring the historic Spanish fort at Fort San Lorenzo offered breathtaking ocean views. The driver, Manuel, was fantastic, stopping whenever animals were spotted along the way. The local lunch was delicious; an authentic Panamanian meal. It starts early, but every minute is worth it. Highly recommended!
This is a highly recommended experience for the whole family to make meaningful memories, we experienced the novel Technology of the canal, ancient ruins, nature and were able to see both of the oceans within hours!!!!
Excellent guide. Knowledgeable. Perfect English. Entertaining and thorough. Tour was engaging and enjoyable.
Very nice experience! Tour guide and driver were both wonderful. The Panamanian lunch in the park was a nice and delicious addition!
John was great! Very informative. Taught us about the history of Panama. The bus was super comfortable and air conditioned. Very organized tour.
