Availability
***We offer two schedules - Pick up time at 7:45 AM or at 9:45 AM. Please select your preference during checkout in the Extra Items section***
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Monkey Island Shore Excursion from Colón Cruise Port
Our Monkey Island shore excursion from Colón Cruise Port combines a wildlife boat ride on Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal with a visit to the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary, giving cruise passengers the opportunity to experience some of Panama's most fascinating wildlife during their stop in Colón.
Travel from Colón Cruise Port into the rainforest surrounding the Panama Canal, cruise toward Monkey Island in search of wild monkeys and other animals, and then continue to the Gamboa wildlife exhibits for a closer look at sloths and Panama's extraordinary biodiversity.
Skip the large tour buses and join our personalized small-group excursion. Groups travel in sedans, SUVs or minivans depending on group size, with approximately six guests per vehicle.
Please note: Wildlife on Monkey Island lives freely in its natural environment. Sightings and close encounters can never be guaranteed, although our experienced guides and boat captains will do their best to help you spot animals during the tour.
Table of Contents
- Monkey Island Shore Excursion Itinerary
- Monkey Island & Gatun Lake
- Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary
- Butterfly, Orchid & Frog Exhibits
- Tour at a Glance
- What's Included
- What's Not Included
- What to Bring
- Important Information for Cruise Passengers
- Monkey Island Shore Excursion FAQ
- More Colón Shore Excursions
- Cancellation Policy
Monkey Island Shore Excursion from Colón – Itinerary
Your personal guide and driver will meet you at Colón Cruise Port at the designated meeting point. From Colón, the journey toward Gamboa and Gatun Lake takes approximately 75 minutes, passing through Panama's canal region and tropical landscapes.
Upon arriving at the shores of Gatun Lake, you'll board a local boat and begin the wildlife portion of your Monkey Island shore excursion. The route takes you through waters connected to the Panama Canal, surrounded by tropical rainforest and with the possibility of seeing enormous ships navigating the canal.
Monkey Island & Gatun Lake
The islands and rainforest surrounding Gatun Lake form part of the wildlife-rich Panama Canal watershed, home to numerous species including monkeys, sloths, toucans and other tropical wildlife. Learn more about the area's biodiversity from the Panama Canal Authority.
Several species of monkeys inhabit the region, including mantled howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, Geoffroy's tamarins and owl monkeys. Depending on the day, you may also see sloths, crocodilians, iguanas, turtles, toucans, parrots and other rainforest wildlife.
Some monkeys may approach the boat, but these are wild animals and their behavior varies. Please follow your guide's instructions and avoid attempting to touch or handle wildlife.
The boat route also gives you a unique perspective of the Panama Canal, where you may see commercial vessels passing through the shipping channel while surrounded by tropical rainforest.
Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary
After your Monkey Island adventure, we'll continue to the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary, where you'll learn about sloths, their behavior and their role in Panama's rainforest ecosystem.
The sanctuary gives visitors an opportunity to observe both two-toed and three-toed sloths at close range while knowledgeable staff explain the differences between the species and share information about their biology and conservation.
This part of the experience complements the wildlife sightings on Gatun Lake by giving you a closer and more educational look at one of Panama's most iconic animals.
Butterfly House, Orchid Garden & Frog Exhibit
Your visit also includes the nearby Butterfly House, Orchid Garden and Frog Exhibit, all located within walking distance of the Sloth Sanctuary.
At the Butterfly House, you may see species native to Panama's tropical forests, including the striking Blue Morpho. The Orchid Garden and Frog Exhibit provide additional opportunities to discover the plants and animals that thrive in this exceptionally biodiverse region.
Together, Monkey Island, the Sloth Sanctuary and these wildlife exhibits make this excursion particularly appealing to families, wildlife enthusiasts and cruise passengers who want to experience Panama beyond the cruise terminal.
Monkey Island Shore Excursion at a Glance
- Price: $189 per adult
- Children: $169 per child through age 10
- Minimum: 2 guests
- Duration: Approximately 6 hours
- Availability: Daily except Mondays
- Start times: 7:45 AM and 9:45 AM
- Pickup: Colón Cruise Port
- Main experiences: Gatun Lake, Monkey Island, Panama Canal boat ride, Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary, Butterfly House, Orchid Garden & Frog Exhibit
This tour is ideal for cruise passengers looking for a Monkey Island tour from Colón that combines wild animal viewing, Panama Canal scenery and the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary in one excursion.
What's Included
- Pickup and drop-off at Colón Cruise Port
- Transportation in a well-maintained, air-conditioned vehicle
- Bilingual English/Spanish guide
- Gatun Lake and Panama Canal boat tour
- Monkey Island wildlife tour
- Monkey Island entrance fees
- Entrance to the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary
- Entrance to the Butterfly House
- Entrance to the Orchid Garden and Frog Exhibit
- Bottled water
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities and personal expenses
What to Bring on Your Monkey Island Shore Excursion
- Comfortable lightweight clothing
- Comfortable and secure footwear
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Camera or phone
- Reusable water bottle
- Light rain jacket or poncho
- Insect repellent
- Cash for gratuities, souvenirs and personal expenses
Sun protection: We recommend comfortable clothing that provides protection from the sun, along with a hat or cap.
Important Information for Cruise Passengers
Please provide your cruise ship name, scheduled arrival time and scheduled departure time when making your reservation.
This tour operates daily except Mondays with two available start times: 7:45 AM and 9:45 AM. Please select the departure that corresponds with your cruise arrival during checkout.
The 7:45 AM tour normally concludes its activities at approximately 12:00 PM, with return to Colón Cruise Port at approximately 1:45 PM. The 9:45 AM tour normally concludes its activities at approximately 2:00 PM, with return to the port at approximately 3:45 PM.
Cruise schedules, road conditions and traffic can affect the exact timing of the excursion. We prioritize returning cruise passengers before their required all-aboard time, and the itinerary or timing may be adjusted when necessary for operational or safety reasons.
If your ship's arrival or departure schedule changes, please contact Tao Travel 365 as soon as possible so we can review the available options.
Last-minute bookings: Reservations made after 6:00 PM for the following day are subject to confirmation. Please wait for explicit confirmation from our booking team before considering a last-minute reservation confirmed.
If you are staying in Panama City rather than arriving by cruise ship, see our Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary Tour from Panama City.
For additional excursions available directly from the port, visit our Colón Cruise Port tours and shore excursions.
Monkey Island Shore Excursion FAQ
What wildlife can I see on Monkey Island?
You may encounter several monkey species, including capuchins, howler monkeys and tamarins, as well as tropical birds, sloths, iguanas, turtles and occasionally crocodilians. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed because the animals live freely in their natural habitat.
Will I definitely see sloths?
Wild sloth sightings around Gatun Lake cannot be guaranteed. The Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary portion of the excursion, however, provides an opportunity to observe sloths at close range and learn about the species.
How long is the tour from Colón Cruise Port?
The complete excursion, including transportation from Colón Cruise Port, lasts approximately six hours. Actual timing may vary depending on cruise schedules, traffic and local conditions.
What time does the Monkey Island shore excursion depart?
We offer two morning departures at 7:45 AM and 9:45 AM. Please select the departure corresponding with your cruise arrival during checkout.
Is this tour suitable for cruise passengers?
Yes. This excursion is specifically offered from Colón Cruise Port and includes pickup and return transportation to the cruise terminal.
Is the tour family-friendly?
Yes. The combination of wildlife, a boat ride and educational animal exhibits makes the excursion suitable for families and children. Children through age 10 receive the applicable child rate.
Does the tour include the Panama Canal?
Yes. The boat portion takes place on Gatun Lake and in the Panama Canal area, providing a unique perspective of the canal and the possibility of seeing large commercial vessels navigating the waterway.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included in the standard tour.
More Colón Shore Excursions
Want to explore more during your cruise stop? Browse our Colón Cruise Port tours for additional Panama Canal, wildlife and Caribbean experiences.
For a completely different Caribbean experience, consider our Isla Grande & Portobelo shore excursion from Colón.
Discover Monkey Island from Colón
Make the most of your cruise stop with a Monkey Island shore excursion combining Gatun Lake, the Panama Canal, Monkey Island and the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary in one wildlife-filled adventure.
Reserve your Monkey Island shore excursion from Colón and discover Panama's incredible rainforest wildlife beyond the cruise port.
Cancellation Policy
Please read our Tour Cancellation Policy before booking.
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TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY
Tao Travel 365 strives to deliver the best possible customer experience. If at any point you have a question or concern about our service, please call us by phone at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email us at sales@taotravel365.tours.
The following cancellation policy applies only for Day Tours (DOES NOT apply for Multi-Day Tours).
TOUR POLICIES
Due to the nature of our business, the logistics involved with organizing tours and the high reservation demand following refund policies apply:
- 100% refund less credit card processing fees will only be granted if booked via our website www.taotravel365.tours AND if canceled more than 24 hours before the start of the tour.
- No refund will be granted for cancellations received less than 24 hours before the tour start date.
All sales are final.
For bookings made through outside portals such as Viator, Expedia or Airbnb, please refer to the cancellation policy of the portal through which you booked.
If you are unable to realize the reservation, contact us as soon as possible and we will try to arrange and reschedule the same or a different tour.
If you are not at the designated meeting point by the time of your scheduled reservation or pickup, Tao Travel 365 reserves the right not to provide a refund. However, we will always try our best to locate you at the meeting point and contact the WhatsApp number provided with your booking.
CANCELED OR POSTPONED TOURS
Occasionally, tours are canceled or postponed due to weather conditions, mechanical failure or other unforeseen events. Should this occur, we will attempt to contact you and inform you of the applicable refund or exchange procedures.
REFUNDS
All sales are final. No refunds are available unless a tour is canceled or postponed, or we receive more than 24 hours advance notice. We will refund the tour price paid for tours canceled or postponed by Tao Travel 365. No refunds are offered on payment processing or convenience fees.
To request a refund for a canceled or postponed tour, contact us at sales@taotravel365.tours within 2 days of the tour cancellation and write "refund" in the subject line.
TOUR EXCHANGES
Tour exchanges are not generally offered by Tao Travel 365. In exceptional circumstances, such as a cancellation by Tao Travel 365, an exchange may be possible but is not guaranteed. Contact us directly to inquire. Fees may apply.
Reviews
EXCELLENT
2278 reviews
Posted on Google
Michelle CaluyaSeptember 25, 2025
We had the most amazing day exploring the Panama Canal, monkey island and sloth sanctuary thanks to our tour guide, Mario! From start to finish, he made the experience seamless and adventurous. During the ride to the Panama Canal, Mario was super informative and highlighted some landmarks of Panama City. During the entire tour, he explained everything in such a clear and engaging way and overall we walked away from the day with a much deeper understanding of Panama’s history and importance. Monkey Island was such a fun stop, and Mario (plus the boat captain) made sure we were in the perfect spots to see the monkeys up close. He even prepared some snacks for us to be able to feed the monkeys! He was patient, kind, and so attentive, making sure everyone in our group got to enjoy the moment. What stood out the most was how genuine Mario is. He wasn’t just guiding a tour, he was sharing his country with us. His warmth, knowledge, and kindness the entire day made us feel very lucky to be able to have Mario as our guide. Cannot recommend him enough!Posted on Google
Jacquie SmythSeptember 15, 2025Mario was a great host! Enthusiastic, kind, and very patient. He had a lot of knowledge of Panamanian history and geography, and was very willing to answer questions as we toured the area. Cannot recommend enough, very fun!Posted on Google
Darriane MartinAugust 30, 2025Had a wonderful tour with Mario! Mario was very informative and personable. We had a small group but he was so willing to answer questions specific to the tour, but also about Panama in general. When Mario said 'don't worry, we'll see all of the animals', we really did get to see ALL of the animals.... three different types of monkeys, sloths, so many varieties of butterflies and frogs and turtles and iguanas!! It was a wonderful experience. Well worth the money!!Posted on Google
Neil PerkinsAugust 16, 2025An enjoyable day trip with Ali as an excellent, friendly and informative guide. Plenty to see en route and the weather stayed kind.Posted on Getyourguide
Juan Carlos SuárezJuly 30, 2025Verified
Excelente trato y buena explicación del guía... vale realmente la pena hacer el tour.Posted on Google
Lindsay ZimmermanJuly 26, 2025We had a wonderful day with Mario! We saw three different kinds of monkeys, a crocodile, butterflies, multiple sloths, and so much more! It was magical. Mario was very kind and helpful and accommodating. I would recommend this tour to anyone!Posted on Google
Randy EdgellJuly 18, 2025Beautiful place. Our tour guy Mario was amazing. I recommend this tour also recommend ask for Mario a s a tour guyPosted on Google
A. WillJuly 2, 2025Touring Panama with Ali was fantastic! He was very informative and super nice. My family and I learned Panamanian history and culture. We took some great photos too. We had an excellent driver as well. If you book this tour ask for Ali, you won't regret it!Posted on Google
Nicole MillerJuly 2, 2025Oscar was an amazing tour guide. I would do it all over again if I knew he would be my guide.Posted on Google
Vanjo CosinoJune 27, 2025This Gamboa wildlife and sloth sanctuary tour is definitely worth doing while in Panama. My tour guide was Ana and she was wonderful. She picked me up right on time at my hotel for the tour, her English is very good too. We went on a boat ride at the lake and saw some monkeys then feed them. She took great pictures and videos for memories for me. The sanctuary was also nice to visit. Thanks again Ana for the great tour you provide!Posted on Google
Martin WarneckeMay 30, 2025Our warmhearted and experienced guide, Señor Miguel, showed us the fascinating Panama Canal with its ocean-going giants, the cheeky monkeys, the cute sloths, and much more. This splendid tour I can highly recommend!Posted on Google
Nicole FeuerhermApril 29, 2025EXCELLENT! Javier our driver made this trip worth while! He was an excellent driver & host, & very considerate, driving slower on the downhill drive to the beach when some of us became nauseous. ADVICE-take your nausea meds when you stop at the gas station! Not later! Trust me! He also made the tour extra special when he spotted a sloth, toucan & a monkey in the trees & stopped to allow us to take pictures & see them up close. He has the eyes of an eagle! Don't know HOW he spotted them while driving! Regarding the San Blas Island tour- BREATHTAKING! Absolutely LOVED this tour. If I had one negative comment it would be to skip the last island (unnecessary) & allow guests to enjoy the island where we had lunch. Getting in/out of the boat is NOT easy. 2 islands+sand bar is enough for this tour! Also, 6 people don't fit "comfortably" in these SUV's! Let guests know they have the option to purchase the extra seats! So grateful we requested only our group of 4 people in our SUV & paid $I10 extra ($55 per seat)!Posted on Tripadvisor
Dipak PApril 19, 2025Verified
Great family tour and travel Gorgeous views. Saw many starfish, dolphins and sloths too! Many differed landscapes. Wetland interiors was amazing too. Zapatilla island was beautiful. Our guide and host was good too. Highly recommend. Our kids age 13,10,7 had a great time. Snorkeling and swimming in the wide open sea was nice too.Posted on Getyourguide
AndreaApril 15, 2025Una actividad obligatoria. Cada punto del recorrido es maravilloso. Nuestro guía Amir muy bueno, conocedor del lugar. Vimos delfines, muchos, estrellas de mar, perezosos, hicimos snorkel y los arrecifes una maravilla. El almuerzo y el lugar muy bueno.Posted on Google
Elaine FongApril 7, 2025Tao Travel 365 is a very responsive travel agency. I booked a tour the night before, and they were able to confirm within minutes. Daniel, my Guide, reached out shortly to introduce himself, and then he picked me up from the hotel exactly at 6:30 AM. The group was small, which I prefer. Daniel is a very informative, energetic, and enthusiastic guide. He was on time, and a very safe driver. He even made recommendations on what to do and where to eat/drink in Panama City. At Monkey Island, were we spent most of our time, we saw more animals than I expected. Daniel had fruit with him to feed the monkeys, which I liked. I’ve read reviews where other Companies were handing out chips and other food that weren’t safe for animals. Afterwards, we went to the Sloth Sanctuary, where we also saw frogs, orchids, and butterflies. I would book with them again. You’re lucky if you get Daniel as a Guide.Posted on Getyourguide
GrecaMarch 20, 2025Really beautiful trip! We even had a tour in the mangrove and saw a lot of sloths. Really recommendedPosted on Tripadvisor
JillMarch 19, 2025Island hopping We had a great time touring islands, snorkeling, seeing starfish, dolphins and sloths! Our guide Aris was very knowledgeable and friendly!Posted on Google
Jackie LuedersMarch 15, 2025Ana was great. We did the mo ey island and sloth sanctuary. She really knew her information and was able to get the monkeys to eat out of our hands. It was like she was friends with her. LOL. Would highly recommend Ana and will come back to see her. Simply outstandingPosted on Google
Eran Ben TovimMarch 7, 2025Richard was wonderful and provide comprehensive information about the region throughout the whole experience. We got to see the monkeys, sloths and more of the unique wildlife in that area.Posted on Getyourguide
KristinaFebruary 28, 2025Wir hatten eine tolle Tour. Der Guide war super und hat sich sehr gut ausgekannt. Er hat die Tour so gestaltet, dass wir nicht mit den ganzen anderen Booten unterwegs waren. Wir haben Delfine, Faultiere, Papageie usw gesehen. Bei dem Mittagessen gab es auch vegane und vegetarische Optionen und es war sehr lecker. Die beste Tour in unserem Urlaub, vielen Dank!Posted on Google
Deirdre LindFebruary 19, 2025What a nice day! Mario and Joseph were right on time and we all headed to the Canal. Hopped on a small boat and coasted around Gatun Lake. We saw capuchin and tamarind monkeys, egrets, and iguanas. Very fun! Then we went to Gamboa for the butterfly and sloth exhibits. This was very simple but educational and very interesting. Would definitely recommend!Posted on Google
Lina BarkawiFebruary 11, 2025We had so much fun getting on a boat and seeing monkeys in their natural habitat! We got to learn about different species of monkeys and experience the Gatun lake where ships crossing the Panama Canal go through. Then we got to learn about sloths and other animals native to Panama! Recommend to anyone visiting Panama as a must given the rich biodiversity of the country. 🐒🦥Posted on Google
Bart de HeideJanuary 22, 2025I really enjoyed this very well organized tour to Monkey Island, visit to the sloths and butterfly garden. Mario is a very friendly guide who gives a lot of interesting information about the history and present of the canal and all the nature and animals.Posted on Tripadvisor
SirenashainaJanuary 22, 2025Excellent Monkey and Sloth tour This trip informative about Panama and the animals. We saw 4 different types of monkeys on the tour! Our guides were good about getting us in positions to see them. The sloth sanctuary was wonderful. The only way to see sloths up close.Posted on Google
E. H.January 18, 2025Ana was a great guide. The monkeys were great. She was rightfully concerned about others feeding the monkeys junk food so we stopped and got bananas for them. The sloth sanctuary was cool too.Posted on Tripadvisor
PolinaJanuary 14, 2025Recommended Tour All activities were great and well chosen. The boat was always on time for pick-up. The boat driver, who was also the guide, was open and friendly. When we didn’t see any sloths in the mangrove forest, we were taken to another spot where some could be seen. However, don’t expect detailed explanations about the animals or activities here. All in all, it was a lovely day with many wonderful impressions.Posted on Getyourguide
GetYourGuide TravellerJanuary 13, 2025Toller Ausflug zur Trauminsel Zapatilla 2. Unterwegs 2 Faultiere und Delfine gesehen. Bootsführer Dave sehr hilfsbereit, alles erklärt, essen auf Cayo Coral gut.Posted on Tripadvisor
Thomas PJanuary 4, 2025Monkeytastic tour Had a great tour last Saturday. Saw 3 different types of monkeys. Saw sloths. Saw Iguanas. Before we got to the canal, we went to a store and had very flavorful fruit.Posted on Tripadvisor
Chuck TNovember 24, 2024Verified
Definitely worth seeing the sloths but remember they don’t move much. We were very happy to get up close to see the sloths and we also saw the 3toed sloth in the wild. The butterflies were ok but seeing the frogs was super cool (but they are tiny). We hired a driver to take us & that was very helpful as we could go at our own pace & he had a great eye for the sloths and knew a lot about them.Posted on Google
Jim LipmanSeptember 14, 2024We had a great time with Mario. We did the Monkey Island trip and the Sloth rescue. Both were fantastic. Mario had a lot of good information. Transportation was in a new car with good AC. Highly recommend.Posted on Tripadvisor
Stephanie SSeptember 1, 2024You'll love it! If you want to get up close to at least 3 different kinds of beautiful monkeys, this is your tour! We also got to watch sloths and have a lovely boat ride on the Chagres River.Posted on Google
yakov ludmirAugust 27, 2024
The monkey island tour was very nice and exciting. Our guide Mario was very helpful and knowledgeable about how to get the monkeys to come to our boat. The sloth sanctuary was more like a butterfly plant garden if you like that, then it's definitely something worth doing. Mario was a very gracious tour guide and worked with us to accommodate our schedule and extra activities that we wanted to do.Posted on Tripadvisor
Reuben PaeschAugust 20, 2024Gamboa adventure An amazing beautiful sanctuary! Great place to connect with nature! The gandola ride to the top was very relaxing..just you and nature with a great view at the top over seeing the canal. It was great to see the sloths at the sanctuary (spoiled little fur balls ❤️) and all the other animals (butterflies, rain frogs). Had an amazing time overall. There is also ziplining but you need to book in advance.Posted on Google
alicia luevanoJuly 5, 2024Our tour guide Mario gave us an amazing experience. He did everything to make us feel comfortable. He’s courteous and looks out for his clients wellbeing. Definitely will be booking for him again!Posted on Tripadvisor
shona jJuly 5, 2024Monkeys. Butterflies, Sloths, Nature Super interesting and relaxing trip with unstressful boat ride, monkeys, butterflies, and sloths. Our guide was knowledgeable and very nice.Posted on Google
Malik DavisJune 29, 2024This was the most authentic, Genuine and fun tour experience we ever had! Ali was an amazing guide that made us feel like we were at home and kept us laughing the entire trip! I would recommend him a million times over!Posted on Google
Staci Starnes-DeanJune 26, 2024Ana Lorena was a most excellent guide, very knowledgeable and good with the wildlife. We would definitely engage her services againPosted on Google
Debra NineslingJune 22, 2024Great fun for all. Mario was a great driver!Posted on Tripadvisor
DBstravelbuddyJune 19, 2024A don't miss experience Wonderful tour! So much more to see and experience than I expected. Our guide was kind, helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Saw many different animals, canal, parts of the city. I would highly recommend this tour!Posted on Google
Denise GoodmanJune 18, 2024This tour was Amazing! So much more to see than I had expected. Lots of wildlife. Guide was very knowledgeable and helpful!! I highly recommend this tour.Posted on Google
MaddieJune 9, 2024I had a great day thanks to Victor!! The boat tour was definitely the highlight of the day but the Gambia gardens were great too!Posted on Google
Malcolm CarwayJune 6, 2024I had the most pleasant experience. Mario was so full of knowledge and was so humble and just the most kindest person I've met on my trip to Panama City. I will surely go back home and tell my friends about the experience with the monkeys the sloths the butterflies and the frogs and the knowledge that I obtained from Mario about the history of the Panama CanalPosted on Google
Robert RileyJune 6, 2024My wife and I (and two new friends) had an amazing time today with Mario in Panama. Pickup and drop off was on time. Travel was safe and secure. Mario was incredibly knowledgeable about and incredible number of historical and cultural facts. We fed a family of 10 capuchin monkeys, met 4 sloths and took tons of photos. Highly recommend!!!! Only took a half dayPosted on Google
Giusy VerduciJune 2, 2024Hoy hicimos un recorrido con nuestra guía Ana Lorena Nación por el lado de Gatún para llegar a la isla de los monos donde pudimos admirar muchas especies diferentes y alimentarlas. Posteriormente pudimos admirar perezosos y diversas especies de mariposas y ranas propias del lugar. Fantástica experiencia que llevaremos con nosotros para siempre, ¡muchas gracias!Posted on Google
Alice Lekesha CoverleyMay 24, 2024I enjoyed my tour. Ali was friendly, informative and a joy to be around. This was an experience I will always remember and would recommend it to visiting Panama!Posted on Google
Audi.2506 C.PMay 23, 2024Fue una experiencia inolvidable desde la llegada de Allí el conductor con muy buen sentido del humor, señalando nos todos los lugares importantes, al llegar al poblado de igual forma el guía Alberto con gran experiencia y muy amable, estamos muy agradecidos por elegirlosPosted on Google
Tina G.May 18, 2024We had a wonderful day, filled with more than we'd expected. Our very organized and awesome, most friendly guide Ana picked us up on short notice after booking very late. But she worked out everything to well. We went on a boat ride on the Panama Canal, watching some container ships and went to monkey islands. We got close and very good shots of all the animals, even an Alligator at the shore. After we went to a beautiful place and butterfly garden, getting to observe some sloth being their lazy selves. Overall the trip was wholly thought out and Ana made sure to make it a great experience. 👍Posted on Google
Carla CravensMay 17, 2024We had a fantastic time! Our guide Mario was entertaining; SO knowledgeable, and answered all our questions. We saw a howler monkey, several capuchin monkeys, and a family of tamarin monkeys. They came on our boat and ate out of our hands!! We saw lots of other wildlife on the trip. We enjoyed the sloth sanctuary -and other exhibits, but monkey island was tops. Mario was a great tour guide with history of the area and even great tips for restaurants. I highly recommend!Posted on Google
Dave DartMay 13, 2024What a truly amazing experience! Mario was incredibly friendly and told us about the national parks as we drove through/near them (Parque Nacional Camino de Cruces, Parque Nacional Soberanía, and Parque Nacional Chagres). We made great time from Panama City to the outskirts of Colon, then turned up the coast and went to Portobelo. On many tours, the drive is boring and just a necessary means to an end. But this drive was spectacular. In Portobelo Mario gave us a tour of the two fortress ruins and told us about the history of the place. We then drove on to the pier at La Guaira where we met Captain Juan and set out on the beautiful Caribbean waters. First stop was Isla Mamay where we got up close with a howler monkey. Really cool! From there we motored over to Isla Linton and took a dip in the "natural swimming pool" formed by a break in the mangroves. Crystal clear calm water, small fish swimming around you, and beautiful soft sand. We played in the water for a while before moving on to tour the rest of the mangrove area. As we entered the natural tunnel where the tops of the mangroves and bushes grow together over the channel, we saw birds, a racoon, and a sloth enjoying siesta time. Shortly after that we arrived at a small island with shallow warm water, rocky/sandy beach, and a little bar serving cold beer and cocktails. Mario rounded up our reserved chairs and we enjoyed a super relaxing time in the shade of palm trees and refreshing water. After an hour or so Captain Juan took us to our lunch spot on Isla Grande. El Coral is an unassuming little restaurant run by friendly locals and serving some truly great Panamanian seafood specialties. Platanos stuffed with shrimp, fish, and spices for a starter (along with a frosty frozen margarita). Grilled fresh fish with garlic sauce and perfectly fried yucca fries for the main. So good! We then walked around the corner to Playa Isla Grande where we had reserved chairs in the shade and beautiful cool water on the soft sand beach. After a couple of hours we rinsed off and met Captain Juan for the ride back to port. Mario stopped a couple of times on the drive back for some great photo ops. The ride home was pretty quiet - because we were all exhausted after such a great day.Posted on Google
Dennis GeisenhofMay 10, 2024Very nice trip. We saw it all: 3 different types of monkeys, crocodiles, snake, spiders, sloth, bats, ... and everything in half a day. Also the trip near the big vessels was great. Gracias a Mario! Saludos de Alemania.Posted on Google
Patrycja BaczykMay 4, 2024The trip is really what it promises, nothing less nothing more and i am giving 5* as it was well organized. The tour guide Mario was nice, the transportation of very good quality, everything well managed. I really enjoyed the first part of it, the tour on Gamboa lake, where we saw lots of animals and could feed the monkeys, great experience to see wildlife so close. The guide/boat operator knew exactly where to go to get best experience. The second part was sloth sanctuary, aside from sloths we could see butterflies and frogs, but sloths were the highlight. The sanctuary is rather small, but you can see animals from very close, which is a great if you did not see sloths before. It was a nice addition to Gamboa lake trip, i would probably go there only when it is bundled with Gamboa lake tripPosted on Google
Stephanie NormanApril 17, 2024We had a wonderful day on the Monkey Island, Sloth Sanctuary tour. Aura, our guide, shared lots of information about the monkeys and Panama. Aura really made the tour special for us.Posted on Google
steven craskeApril 10, 2024Brilliant day, Mario was very knowledgable and couldn't do enough for us. Brilliant experience from learning more about the history or Panama to seeing the moneys in their natural habitat and seeing the sloths. Would 100% recommendPosted on Google
Isabel LopezApril 7, 2024Ali was amazing!! 10/10 recommend. Saw tons of sloths & monkeys, and got very close!Posted on Google
Chandler JohnsonMarch 31, 2024Ali was a great host for the day of our tour. We saw 3 types of monkeys and had a wonderful tour of the sloth sanctuary.Posted on Google
Trevor SeifriedMarch 31, 2024Did the Isla Grande Caribbean tour with Mario. Was quite fun, and well organized. Car ride was a bit long (~2 hours), but we knew that up front and Mario kept us very comfortable. Saw monkeys, sloths and the mangrove "Tunnel of Love" was beautiful. Also takes you a seemingly underappreciated, but very well preserved site where Panama's first economic fort was built (c/w the original cannons). Highly recommend.Posted on Google
Neera ShamithMarch 26, 2024The tour was amazing. We got picked up promptly for the tour and they took us by boat to see parts of canal and various monkeys. Got to see beautiful butterflies, sloth, frogs etc . Beautiful country and wonderful people .Posted on Google
L U.March 7, 2024Great time visiting monkey island and the sloth sanctuary.Posted on Tripadvisor
Walter PMarch 3, 2024Great Way to See a Lot in a Half Day We had a great time. There were 4 others plus the guide so the vehicle had lots of room. Our guide (can’t remember his name) gave a great history of Balboa and the canal on the drive to the boat. The boat ride was really good, they could see thing you would never notice. We got to see a crocodile laying in the sun, an up close with a Capuchin Monkey, a grey Herron, Howler Monkeys and multiple lizards. It’s the wild and there are no guarantees you will get to see them, so I was excited to have a capuchin come on to the boat. On the ride back we saw two different container ships going through the canal. The butterflies, frogs and sloths were great as well. I saw comments about the conditions the sloths are in but I didn’t see an issue. They are the experts and I know this raises money for what they do. I was very impressed with the amount of plants they grow and replant. Our guide through this was Juan and he was very informative. I would recommend to everyonePosted on Google
Axel MaynouFebruary 25, 2024I did the monkey island, sloth sanctuary & panama canal tour, I had a marvellous time! I would definitely recommend the tour to others! Thanks to Mario, our tour guided, Mario is just amazing! Loads of knowledge, he've got story to tell about everything. Working in tourism you need to love what you're doing, you can tell Mario love it, he is passionate about everything he is sharing! Thank you so much for such a great Mario! Hasta luego!Posted on Google
Victoria AuldFebruary 10, 2024Our guide Mario kept me well informed on pick up time, drove safely in comfortable SUV and gave us a little bit of history on way past the locks. The boat trip was awesome, we saw crocodiles, lizards, turtles, 3 types on monkey and loads of birds. Beautiful to spend time in mangroves/rainforest area, although felt a little rushed. Felt torn when they bought a banana out to attract the monkeys. Then over to the frogs, butterflies and sloth sanctuary (3) , a small but interesting set up, very informative guide here. I was worried the price was expensive but the entry costs are already high and boats only run small groups so I felt I got value for money. Highlight for me was the boat, could have spent hours waiting and watching for more wildlife, aswell as the bonus of watching ships and trains on the Panama’s amazing canal. Thank you!Posted on Google
Natasha HoglundJanuary 28, 2024Ana was amazing. She had fruit for us to feed the monkeys and was a lot of fun! We are so happy with this tour! Highly recommend!Posted on Google
Leslie FehanJanuary 19, 2024Boat ride and seeing monkeys was great. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful.Posted on Google
Julie FrostJanuary 18, 2024Aura led us on a wonderful adventure of a lifetime!!!! The morning started with a pickup in a comfy van at our hotel. We then rode to the boat to ride out to the islands (past the cargo boats waiting to go through the Panama Canal) to see monkeys. They did not disappoint! They came right down to the boat to eat bananas and nuts right out of our hands. (Aura brought a variety of treats the monkeys would like) We saw three different species. All so very cute!! Then we were driven to Gamboa to see butterflies, dart frogs, and the sloths!!!! I had never seen a sloth and am so excited that I can now say I’ve seen them!! So very cute. Aura was a wonderful guide….answering all of our questions in English and the other guests in Spanish, making everyone feel heard and welcome. She made sure everyone got to participate and have a wonderful day!! I highly recommend this excursion!!Posted on Google
Jill HJanuary 16, 2024Fantastic time with Armando on our monkey and sloth tour. He was fun to be around, very knowledgeable and brought us to some good spots. I highly recommend him and this tour!Posted on Google
Amber BargerJanuary 13, 2024Mario was friendly and answered all of our questions. It was convenient to be picked up from my hotel and the trip was as described.Posted on Google
Melinda WattsJanuary 12, 2024Absolutely amazing morning on the Chagres River and in Gamboa. Our guide, Mario was communicative, knowledgeable and professional. He tried to convey some of the local history on our group even though we were a little loud. The 1st part of our excursion was to Monkey island. It was comforting to see that this company respects the local wildlife enough to only bring grapes and bananas to share with the monkeys. They were safety conscious and asked that we put our life jackets on before we left the dock. After visiting with the monkeys we drove to Gamboa to the Sloth Sanctuary. This was the perfect way to end our tour. The tour was well thought out and worth every penny. I wouldn’t change a thing and would book again in a heartbeat. I would also ask for Mario, he made the tour very comfortable.Posted on Google
KJ's Dance & Cheer DerbyshireJanuary 11, 2024Had a lovely trip with this company today. The guide Mario was absolutely fantastic and very knowledgeable of the local area, pointed out sights and answered all our questions. The boat trip was lovely, the monkey Island was fantastic and the sloth sanctuary was worth it. Mario was super friendly, patient and accomodating with an older guest who was also on the trip and he also reccomended us a lovely spot for lunch after the trip ended. 5*. If i'm ever in Panama City again I will definitley use this company for a trip or two again.Posted on Tripadvisor
Heidi SJanuary 6, 2024Must have wildlife experience in the Panama Canal Zone The experience was so much fun. Our driver Armando shared a lot of history with us. We had opportunities to take many beautiful photos of the wildlife, lakes, rivers. We enjoyed the monkeys and sloths and learned about Panama. He also gave us some great recommendations for our trip.Posted on Tripadvisor
Michelle EJanuary 3, 2024Must do tour Had a great time. Ali our guide was fantastic, explained so many things on route to the boat as well as about the wildlife we saw. Stopped on route to buy fruit to feed monkeys with and ensured our every need was catered for. Brilliant to talk to about Panama and very friendly. Also the guy who drove the boat was great, he and Ali made sure that we saw everything there was to see. Very informative tour of sloth sanctuary by on-site guard.Posted on Google
Kenny ChouinardJanuary 2, 2024Had a great time doing the canal to monkey island tour along with the sloth sanctuary. Our guide Mario was the best, he was friendly and very knowledgeable about the canal and the local wildlife. Really appreciated how proactive he was in communicating the day prior about our pick up. He was a great driver and car was very comfortable. Would highly recommend this day trip from Panama CityPosted on Google
MarcelaDecember 28, 2023The monkey island and sloth sanctuary tour was great. Our tour guide, Armando, was very attentive and taught us the history of Panama as we drove. He was a great driver and good to chat with. Highly recommend the tour and Armando!Posted on Tripadvisor
scismoskiDecember 25, 2023Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary Armando was a great guide and drove us to the boat tour then told us about the different monkeys on the island. The sanctuary was great too and we especially enjoyed seeing the sloth having lunch.Posted on Google
Rebecca PikofskyDecember 21, 2023We went to monkey island and gamboa with daniel. It was definitely a five star trip. Daniel is very knowledgeable, personable, and a pleasure to be with. His knowledge of nature and the history and culture of panama was impressive. He went above and beyond including takibg pictures and video for us. We cannot recommend daniel more highly.Posted on Google
Sherrie McNallyDecember 7, 2023Great visit saw 3 types of monkeys and some alligators, went to sloth sanctuary saw critersPosted on Google
Sunondo RoyNovember 28, 2023Ana Lorena was a wonderful local guide for the Viator Gamboa Wildlife and Sloth Sanctuary tour. She expertly and comfortably got us to Gamboa in spite of some really bad roads under repair. Melissa, our Chagres River boat operator was expert at getting us up close and personal with caiman and capuchins, tamarins and howler monkeys. Ana was well prepared with grapes and peanuts and let us share in the experience of feeding the 🐒. I would highly recommend Ana as a local guide.Posted on TripadvisorCurious150808November 20, 2023Fun family day in Gamboa Armando was an excellent your guide. We enjoyed the day very much. He was prepared with bottled water for us and nuts and bananas for the monkeys. He also was very knowledgeable about the canal, lake, and animals.Posted on Google
JordanNovember 14, 2023Danilo was a great guide for the day’s tour, would highly recommend the Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary experience!Posted on Tripadvisor
LowellAckermanNovember 3, 2023Great wildlife tour We enjoyed taking a boat ride on the Panama Canal and viewing monkeys, iguanas, birds and more in their natural habitat. Our guide, Daniel, was informative and friendly with solid command of English. The sloth sanctuary visit was interesting and allowed us to get close to these delightful animals. It is wonderful to see an organization dedicated to rescuing sloths and trying to prepare them for release.Posted on Google
Anely MartinezOctober 17, 2023Our tour guide was fantastic, Ali Douglas, he is very friendly and professional. He was explaining everything to us during our drive to the Chagre. A careful driver. It was a wonderful experience. It works every penny. I definitely Recomend this tour and specially him to be your tour guide.Posted on Google
Stephanie MerneSeptember 30, 2023One of my favorite parts of our trip. We had such a wonderful experience. Not only were we able to see all the animals but our tour guide was super friendly and knowledgeable. We would highly recommend to anyone and would love to come back again.Load more
