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Things to do in Gamboa

Our most recommended things to do in Gamboa

6-Hour Panama Canal Ship Cruise

1. 6-Hour Panama Canal Ship Cruise

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.

Panama: 6-Hour Panama Canal Southbound Cruise & Lunch

2. Panama: 6-Hour Panama Canal Southbound Cruise & Lunch

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.

Panama: Guided Northbound Panama Canal Cruise with Box Lunch

3. Panama: Guided Northbound Panama Canal Cruise with Box Lunch

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.

Monkey Island and Indian Village Tour

4. 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.

From Panama City: Rainforest Zipline Adventure

5. 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. Discover different ziplines across a 2-kilometer route that offers spectacular views of the rainforest and maximum safety and security.

Panama: Panama Canal Tour through Two Locks with Lunch

6. Panama: Panama Canal Tour through Two Locks with Lunch

Experience the wonder of the magnificent man-made maritime passageway of the Panama Canal with this attraction ticket. Enjoy watching the ship as it is lowered at two separate locks. Have a delicious lunch and some refreshing soft drinks.  Disembark from Isla Flamenco in Panama city and take in sweeping views of the city as make your way to the canal at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres river flows into the canal. Admire the serpentine curvature of the Gaillard Cut which was carved through the continental divide. Uncover the history and geological value of this region as your boat travels along a 13.7 kilometer route to the Pedro Miguel locks. Pass through verdant landscapes of rolling hills and forests as you drift along. Appreciate the continuous work that is required to maintain this passage. Observe the Panama Canal expansion project, an engineering feat that is set to double the capacity of the canal. View the Bridge of the Americas which crosses over the canal. Enter the Pedro Miguel locks where the ship is lowered 9 meters and released into Miraflores lake. Venture across Miraflores lake to the Miraflores locks where the ship is lowered 16 meters in two distinct steps. Continue sailing to the small town of Gamboa. Disembark in Gamboa and board a bus back to Isla Flamenco.

From Panama City: Monkey Island Boat Tour with Transfer

7. From Panama City: Monkey Island Boat Tour with Transfer

Monkey Island Jungle Boat Adventure In the morning a Panama Expeditions Hub will meet you and take you to Gamboa, a former US Military base for the operation of the Canal and a small town settled by the Chagres River and Gatun Lake, surround by the Panama Rainforest and the Soberania National Park and Nature Reserve. Your guide will take you to the Gamboa Pier at the Chagres River mouth to the Panama Canal. Once at the pier your guide will provide you with the live jackets, safety instructions and start boarding the Jungle Boat to start the adventure. the first part of the journey includes a boat ride under the historical Train Bridge and the Panama Canal waters where you will have the opportunity to see the huge vessels and container ships transiting the Canal, you will also observe the Dredging process of the Canal expansion and maintenance with the gigantic drills and cranes and the professional engineers and operators performing while your guide explains all the interesting facts about the project and the benefits to the country and the world, continuing the tour you will reach one of the northern corners of the lake where the dense jungle full of wildlife will take you to a whole different world and you will experience a close contact with nature. The Panama Rainforest is inhabited by thousands of different species and if you are lucky, you will see some of them like the white face capuchin monkeys, the howler monkeys, the Geoffrey’s tamarin monkeys, Cayman, Snail kites, herons and many other animals in the wild. After this amazing adventure your guide will take you back to your hotel.

Tocumen Airport: Round Trip Transfer Playa Bonita or Gamboa

8. Tocumen Airport: Round Trip Transfer Playa Bonita or Gamboa

Round Trip Comfort Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport to your accommodation in Playa Bonita or Gamboa. All Vehicles fully licensed and insured. Our cars are equipped with all necessary facilities for a trip to any part of the world under any weather conditions, including additional fastenings for sports and other equipment. On request for your tourists, we have child seats for all ages. Vehicles are clean inside and outside; our drivers’ always are well dressed and always pay attention to our guests. They speak English and Spanish. They will meet you with a name sign; help with luggage and on arrival to the hotel.

Tocumen Airport: I-Way Transfer to Playa Bonita or Gamboa

9. Tocumen Airport: I-Way Transfer to Playa Bonita or Gamboa

Comfort Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport to your accommodation in Playa Bonita or Gamboa. All Vehicles fully licensed and insured. Our cars are equipped with all necessary facilities for a trip to any part of the world under any weather conditions, including additional fastenings for sports and other equipment. On request for your tourists, we have child seats for all ages. Vehicles are clean inside and outside; our drivers’ always are well dressed and always pay attention to our guests. They speak English. They will meet you with a name sign; help with luggage and on arrival to the hotel.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Gamboa

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What people are saying about Gamboa

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 187 reviews

Pickup was on time, first of a few stops. Most folks were ready. Arrival at boat well organized. Many people, limited viewing area at front of upper deck for crowd Colour. Coded wrist bracelets for coffee and early lunch. Guides provided English/Spanish/German translation, well done. Return to El Granjega hotel was good Recommend taking a smaller craft. Hop on/off day prior to see IMAX, very helpful.

Very interesting experience! Our narrator spoke excellent English and was able to reveal the stories behind the canal as we sailed through it. He made sure to tell us which direction to look so we wouldn't miss anything. The boat has plenty of shade, plus a small open deck area. They serve you a very early lunch, that was tasty. I was picked up on time. I would definitely recommend!

Excellent experience. Will forever be a great memory. Traversing thru the canal was very cool. Lunch was wonderful. Very organized. They had to serve a lot of people! It was delicious. Tour guide shared lots of interesting info. Very pleasant experience. Highly recommend.

It was good. Really glad we did it as the visitor Center at Miraflores was closed for renovations.

All staff was very helpful was giving good service۔