Panama City & Canal Tour

Panama City & Canal Tour

Tour Description

We pick you up at your hotel between 7am and 730am, depending on your hotel's location or we meet you at the meeting point in the old town.

1st stop THE Panama Canal!

The Miraflores Locks Visitor Center viewing platforms are open to enjoy watching the ships transit these famous locks. A lot of information once found inside the visitor center has been relocated to this area for your viewing pleasure. We try to get there at 8am, when it opens to avoid the crowds and it's one of the best times to be there to see the ships! Skip the lines with your pre-purchased BarefootPanama City Tour tickets! *the museum remains closed due to construction. The IMAX film is also included in our city tour and that starts at 845am. If you choose to watch this historic recap of the Panama Canal in 3D, you will be serenaded with the sweet sounds of Morgan Freeman's voice.

From here, we explore more of the city's historic areas in the old 'Canal Zone', passing the old Fort Clayton, once a US army base, now converted into the 'City of Knowledge'. Learn about the historic train, Albrook, Balboa neighborhoods and stop for a photo of the Panama Canal Authority headquarters building at the base of Cerro Ancon. Although the road up the hill closed in 2016, we still pass through this historic neighborhood pointing out the significance sites and explaining all about Panama's historic Martyrs' Day.

We cross the Bridge of the Americas for a viewpoint of the Panama Canal and the bridge and learn more about this side of the canal before we cross back and head out to the 'islands' along the Amador Causeway. Here we can take in the best views of Panama’s skyline and stop at the colorful PANAMA sign. Most days, we do a tour of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Punta Culebra Nature Center (closed Monday's, Tuesdays, Holidays). It is a very important location, historically. If the site is closed, we can still see it from the outside looking in, explain the history and have a look for sloth!

Our guides are pretty amazing and will make adjustments according to the group and status of the city to determine where the best place to stop for lunch will be. *lunch is not included

Saving the best part of the city for last, we take you back in time as we walk the streets of this world heritage site, Casco Antiguo. Learn all about the dynamic history of Panama, marvel at the spectacular architecture, hear tales about the pirates & gold, explore the many plazas and see some of Panama's famous crafts made by the indigenous people.

Around 3pm, we will head back to your hotel. But, You dont have to go.. stay in the old town if you want! Strole, shop, visit the museums, eat, drink and be merry or add our Food Tour (available Wed./Sat. or anytime for groups)