Add dates

Panama Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Panama Cruises & boat tours

Panama: All-Inclusive Taboga Island Catamaran Cruise

1. Panama: All-Inclusive Taboga Island Catamaran Cruise

Explore the serene waters of Panama on an all-inclusive day tour on a Mega catamaran. Dive into the water for a refreshing swim before moving to the Island of Taboga for a beach and town visit. Enjoy morning snacks, lunch, and an open bar. After reaching Taboga, sail to the backside of the island to a secret spot where a bay with beautiful natural views is waiting for you. Jump off the boat and enjoy your first swim (there are also stairs to access the water if you do not want to dive in). After some fun in the water, climb back onto the boat to drink a cold beer. Rest in the boat's nets or dance with the crew while you sail towards the town side of the island. Dock so you can head to the beach and visit the small village of Taboga. Spend time on the beach relaxing or learn about the historical landmarks the Island has to offer. After your beach and town visit, hop back aboard for lunch with chicken, veggies, rice, vegetable salad, potato salad, and oleo pasta. Sip on drinks from the open bar like rum, vodka, Seco Herrerano, local beer, mixers, and cocktails. If the wind conditions are right, open the sails and continue the party as you cruise along the open water.

6-Hour Panama Canal Ship Cruise

2. 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: Private Embera Indigenous Village and River Eco Tour

3. Panama: Private Embera Indigenous Village and River Eco Tour

Ride a canoe up the Chagres River, and visit the traditional Embera village on a full-day tour. Learn about their traditional food, see their lively dances, and immerse yourself in their fascinating traditions.  Start with a pickup and a 1-hour drive from Panama City to the Chagres River, the largest river in the Panama Canal watershed. Board a motorized canoe for a 20-minute trip along the river, then stretch your legs on a short walk around the community , where if weather conditions permit, you can take a dip in a small river. Return to the canoe for the 45-minute ride to an Embera village, who have traditionally lived and worked at the edge of rivers, and are known throughout Panama for their distinctive songs, dances, and costumes.  The Embera tribe originates from the Darien region in Panama and the Choco region of Colombia. They have lived in this area for centuries, long before the first Spanish explorer set foot in the new world.  You’ll have 2 hours to explore the village, get to know some local people, and learn about life in the community. Sit down for a traditional lunch, then watch a dance that depicts the Embera's relationship with the natural world.  Before departing the village, shop for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs made by the local people. Head back down the river by canoe, and board the vehicle for the return trip to Panama City.

From Panama City: Monkey Islands Tour on Gatun Lake

4. 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.

From Panama City: Gamboa Rainforest Guided Tour with Lunch

5. 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: 6-Hour Panama Canal Southbound Cruise & Lunch

6. 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

7. 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.

From Panama City: Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary Tour

8. From Panama City: Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary Tour

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.

Panama City/Portobelo: Catamaran Trip w/Snorkeling and Lunch

9. Panama City/Portobelo: Catamaran Trip w/Snorkeling and Lunch

Explore the beauty of the Blues Veins lagoon and the white sands of Playa Drake Beach on this tour from Panama City or Portobelo. Sit down for a delicious lunch on a catamaran.  Choose to be picked up from the comfort of your accommodations in Panama City or to make your own way to Portobelo. Hop aboard a speedboat that will connect you to the catamaran. Feel the wind in your hair as you soak up some sun on the way to your first stop at Blues Veins. Make your way to the interior lagoon aboard a dinghy. Disembark at a secluded beach where you can take a walk or snorkel through the coral in the crystal-clear waters.  Head back to the boat to eat a lunch of local products with a variety of dietary options. Continue to Playa Drake Beach where you can make the most of the sea by swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding.  Return to you Portobelo where, depending on the option you select, you can be dropped-off at your accommodation in Panama City, or you can drive back to your accommodation. 

Panama City: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise to Taboga Island

10. Panama City: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise to Taboga Island

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.

16 activities found
Sort by:

Frequently asked questions about Panama

Other Sightseeing Options in Panama

Want to discover all there is to do in Panama? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Panama

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 19 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.

Great tour, playful white faced monkeys jumping on our boat, saw 2 other varieties as well. The sloth sanctuary was the highlight, we got there during feeding time, adorable. Our guide Jorge was great, very informative, flexible with pickup and drop of. Great experience all together

This was a very easy and pleasant experience. They pick you up and drop off right at your hotel. Great tour guides tell you about Panama and nature. Saw so many monkeys!

The experience was amazing, food and drinks were good and meeting new people was the icing on the cake

Absolutely amazing day!! Do yourself a favor and take this tour.