Panama Canal Excursions
The excursions that round out a canal-transit itinerary.
Colon
Gatun Locks Visitor Center Tour
An up-close land-based view of the locks, often paired with a short rainforest visit.
Cartagena
Old City Walking Tour
A guided walk through Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed walled city and colonial architecture.
Costa Rica
Rainforest & Wildlife Tour
Zipline or river boat tours through Costa Rica’s rainforest, spotting sloths and monkeys.
Top Panama Canal Excursions
| Excursion | Where | Why Book It |
|---|---|---|
| Panama Canal partial transit by small boat | Panama City / Gamboa | See the locks at water level on a full-transit or partial-transit day |
| Panama Railway | Colón to Panama City | Historic rail line paralleling the canal through rainforest |
| Gatun Lake eco-boat and monkey watching | Gatun Lake | Howler and capuchin monkeys, sloths and birds |
| Agua Clara or Miraflores visitor center | Atlantic or Pacific side | Watch ships transit and learn the canal’s history |
| Embera village visit | Chagres River | Dugout canoe ride and indigenous culture |
| Casco Viejo walking tour | Panama City | UNESCO-listed historic district |
| Cartagena Old Town tour | Colombia | Fortress walls, plazas and street food |
| Costa Rica cloud forest or river safari | Limón or Puntarenas | Sloths, crocodiles, hanging bridges |
Excursion Tips
- On partial transits, the ship anchors in Gatun Lake and tenders guests ashore; excursions that day are popular and limited, so book early.
- On full-transit day, the ship doesn’t stop; you watch from deck, so no excursion is needed.
- Many tours involve heat, humidity and walking; check activity levels.
- For long tours inland, ship excursions offer the return-time guarantee.