Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 44 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
The tour begins with pickup from your hotel, Airbnb or Playa Bonita in Panama City. We’ll drive for about one hour to the Atlantic, to visit the impressive Agua Clara Locks — part of the Panama Canal’s expansion and the only place where you can see Neo-Panamax ships crossing. With 100% certainty of seeing ships in transit, either at Agua Clara or Gatun Locks, this tour guarantees an unforgettable Canal experience.
We will continue to the Atlantic Bridge, the largest and tallest bridge in Panama, offering stunning views of the Canal and surrounding landscape. Along the way, we’ll stop to see the remains of the unfinished French Canal, an abandoned 19th-century project that paved the way for today’s canal.
Our final stop is the historic Gatun Locks, in operation since 1914, where you can watch ships pass just a few meters away.
This tour operates year-round, including during Panama's rainy season.
Agua Clara and Gatun Visitor Centers remain open after the earthquake.
What's included
Comfortable, Air-Conditioned Vehicle
Agua Clara and Gatun Visitor Centers remain open after the earthquake.
This tour operates in any weather, even in the rain.
Pickup & Drop-Off from City Hotels, Airbnbs, and Playa Bonita
Bottled Water, Snacks & Fresh Fruit
Experienced English & Spanish Speaking Guide
No Canal entrances fee included ($10 per person, 1 ticket works for both locks)
No lunch included
What to expect
Agua Clara Locks
50m · Admission ticket not included
Agua Clara Locks are part of the Panama Canal Expansion, inaugurated in 2016 on the Atlantic side of the Canal near Colón. These modern locks were built to accommodate the massive Neo-Panamax vessels, which are too large for the original locks. The complex uses rolling gates and water-saving basins that recycle 60% of the water with each transit, making it an impressive feat of sustainable engineering. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic observation deck overlooking Gatun Lake and watch enormous ships pass through, while learning how the expansion has strengthened Panama’s role as a key hub of global trade.
Atlantic Bridge
Pass by
The Atlantic Bridge is an impressive cable-stayed bridge that crosses the Panama Canal at its Atlantic entrance near Colón. Officially inaugurated in August 2019, it is the longest span concrete cable-stayed bridge in the world, with a main span of 530 meters (1,739 ft) and a total length of 4.6 kilometers (2.8 miles). Its soaring pylons rise 212 meters (696 ft) above sea level, allowing a clearance of 75 meters (246 ft) so that the largest ships can safely pass beneath. Built entirely in reinforced concrete to resist Panama’s tropical climate and salinity, the Atlantic Bridge is both an engineering marvel and a stunning architectural landmark. Besides its functional role connecting the provinces of Colón and Panamá Oeste, it offers travelers spectacular views of the Canal, the rainforest, and the Caribbean Sea, making it a highlight for anyone visiting the Atlantic side of the Canal.
Gatun Locks
30m · Admission ticket not included
Gatun Locks, on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, are among the original locks opened in 1914. With three chambers, they lift ships 26 meters (85 ft) to Gatun Lake. The new Gatun Visitor Center features panoramic observation decks and interactive exhibits, offering visitors a modern space to watch vessels in transit while learning about the Canal’s past and expansion.
Pass by
Bridge over the French Canal – Colón
This bridge is located near the Gatún Locks in Colón Province and is connected to the original route of the French Canal, a project begun by the French in the late 19th century under Ferdinand de Lesseps.
When the United States took over the Panama Canal project, many of the French excavations and infrastructure were incorporated into the new canal design. The Gatún area became especially important as the Americans transformed the original sea-level canal concept into the lock canal system that allowed ships to transit between the Atlantic Ocean and Gatún Lake.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
Our team will email you the day before to confirm pickup time. Be 10 mins before at the lobby. Our driver will inform when getting closer.
Additional information
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Accessibility: Wheelchairs and walkers are not permitted due to limited bus space.
“No pickups are offered from the Cruise Terminal. Pickup is available only from hotels or Airbnbs.”
This is a shared tour, so you’ll be joining other guests. We’ll be making a few pickups along the way to welcome everyone, so we appreciate your patience
No pickups offered from Sant Maria Hotel or any hotel near the airport
At Casco we only collect from Tantalo, La Compañia, American Trade, Central Hotel, Sofitel
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
