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Panama Canal & Monkey Island Tour – Miraflores Locks
Our Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour combines two of Panama’s most memorable experiences in one convenient five-hour adventure. Explore the Miraflores Locks, discover how the Panama Canal operates, and cruise Gatun Lake in search of wild monkeys and other rainforest wildlife.
Depart from Panama City with Tao Travel 365 and enjoy a guided journey through the historic Canal Zone. Choose from three daily pickup times, with shared tours and an optional private-tour upgrade available.
Table of Contents
Panama Canal & Monkey Island Tour at a Glance
Price: $99 per adult and $89 per child through age 10.
Booking: Available for two or more guests.
Duration: Approximately five hours.
Availability: Daily.
Pickup times: 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM or 1:30 PM.
Pickup location: Your accommodation in Panama City.
Highlights: Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center, a Gatun Lake boat ride and wildlife spotting around Monkey Island.
Tour options: Shared tour or an optional $30 private-tour upgrade at checkout.
Additional costs: Miraflores Visitor Center admission is not included. Amador Cruise Port pickup is available for an additional $20 per person.
Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour Overview
Travel from Panama City through the former Canal Zone, passing historic neighborhoods and the area around the Culebra Cut. Your guide introduces the engineering achievements and history that made the Panama Canal one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
At the Miraflores Visitor Center, explore the canal’s operation and enjoy views of the lock chambers. When ship movements coincide with your visit, watch vessels pass through the locks as water levels rise and fall.
Continue toward Gamboa for a boat ride on Gatun Lake. Cruise alongside the canal’s shipping route and explore the forested shores around Monkey Island, where wild monkeys and other animals live in their natural habitat.
Why choose this tour? It brings together canal history, remarkable engineering and a rainforest boat adventure in one half-day experience, with convenient Panama City pickup and several departure times.
Miraflores Locks & Panama Canal Visitor Center
Begin your canal experience at the Miraflores Locks, where viewing areas overlook the chambers that raise and lower ships traveling between the Pacific Ocean and the canal. Your guide explains how the locks work and shares the history behind this extraordinary engineering project.

The Visitor Center offers exhibits about the canal, its construction and its importance to global trade. A 45-minute IMAX presentation provides another way to discover the canal’s story; access depends on the admission option and the time available during your visit.

Admission to the Miraflores Visitor Center is not included in the tour price. Ship movements follow canal operations, so a vessel passing through the locks cannot be guaranteed during every visit.
Gatun Lake & Monkey Island Boat Tour
Board your boat in the Gamboa area and cruise into Gatun Lake, part of the Panama Canal’s freshwater system. Along the way, take in tropical scenery and watch for ships traveling through this active waterway.
Explore the forested shores around Monkey Island with your guide. Capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys and tamarins inhabit the area, and you may also spot birds or other rainforest wildlife.

Keep your camera ready and follow your guide’s instructions throughout the boat ride. The animals are wild and move freely, so sightings and close encounters vary from day to day.
Tour Schedule & Panama City Pickup Times
Choose the departure that best fits your plans:
- 7:30 AM pickup: Approximate finish at 12:30 PM.
- 10:00 AM pickup: Approximate finish at 3:00 PM.
- 1:30 PM pickup: Approximate finish at 6:30 PM.
Your guide and driver will meet you at your Panama City accommodation. Please be ready in the lobby at your confirmed pickup time.
All times are approximate and may vary with traffic, weather, canal operations and local conditions.
What's Included
- Pickup and drop-off at accommodation within the standard Panama City pickup area.
- Transportation between the tour locations.
- Bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
- Visit to the Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center, with admission paid separately.
- Gatun Lake boat excursion to the Monkey Island area.
What's Not Included
- Miraflores Visitor Center admission.
- Food and drinks.
- Gratuities.
- Optional $30 private-tour upgrade.
- Amador Cruise Port pickup: an additional $20 per person.
- Pickup outside the standard Panama City area, including Playa Bonita, Costa del Este and Tocumen. Select the appropriate transportation option at checkout.
What to Bring
- Comfortable clothing and sun-protective layers.
- Comfortable footwear suitable for walking and boarding a boat.
- Hat and sunglasses.
- Camera or phone for photos.
- Light rain jacket.
- Insect repellent.
- Cash for admission, refreshments, tips and souvenirs.
Bring the cash you expect to need, as ATM access and card acceptance may be limited at some stops.
Important Panama Canal & Monkey Island Tour Information
- Group size: Available for two or more guests.
- Wildlife: Monkeys and other animals live freely in the rainforest. Sightings are not guaranteed.
- Canal operations: Ship transits depend on the canal’s operating schedule.
- Pickup: Provide your accommodation details when booking and be ready at the confirmed time.
- Private option: Select the private-tour upgrade at checkout if you prefer a private experience.
- Last-minute bookings: Reservations made after 6:00 PM for the following day require explicit confirmation from our team. If the booking is not confirmed, your tour may be scheduled for the subsequent available day.
Panama Canal & Monkey Island Tour FAQ
How much does the Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour cost?
The tour costs $99 per adult and $89 per child through age 10. Miraflores Visitor Center admission is paid separately. Optional private-tour and additional pickup charges are shown at checkout.
How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately five hours. Traffic, weather and canal operations can affect the schedule.
Is Panama City hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off within the standard Panama City area are included. Additional transportation options are available for locations outside this area and for Amador Cruise Port.
Is Miraflores Visitor Center admission included?
No. Admission is paid separately. IMAX access depends on the admission option and the time available during your visit.
Will we see ships passing through the Miraflores Locks?
You may see vessels passing through the locks, depending on canal operations during your visit. Ship movements cannot be guaranteed.
Are monkey sightings guaranteed?
No. The monkeys are wild and move freely. Your guide explores areas where they are frequently seen, but sightings vary.
Can children join the tour?
Yes. Children can join, and the child rate is $89 through age 10. Follow your guide’s instructions during the boat ride and throughout the tour.
Can I book a private tour?
Yes. An optional $30 private-tour upgrade is available at checkout.
What pickup times are available?
Choose a 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM or 1:30 PM pickup. Your exact pickup details will be confirmed with your booking.
More Panama Wildlife Tours
Discover more of Panama’s wildlife with our Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary Tour, or combine rainforest experiences on our Gamboa aerial tram, Monkey Island and sloth sanctuary tour.
For more ideas, explore our Panama City tours and experiences.
Reserve Your Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour
Explore the Miraflores Locks and cruise Gatun Lake in search of rainforest wildlife with Tao Travel 365. Choose your preferred date and pickup time, select any transportation or private-tour upgrades, and reserve your Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour today.
Tour Cancelation Policy
Please read our Tour Cancelation Policy before booking.
TOUR CANCELATION 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 at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email us at sales@taotravel365.tours.
This cancellation policy applies only to day tours and does not apply to multi-day tours.
I. GENERAL TOUR POLICIES
Due to the logistics involved in organizing tours and high reservation demand, a 100% refund less credit-card processing fees will only be granted when the reservation was made through our website, www.taotravel365.tours, and canceled more than 24 hours before the tour starts.
No refund will be granted for cancellations received fewer than 24 hours before the tour starts. All sales are final, except for refunds available under this policy.
For reservations made through outside portals including, but not limited to, Viator, Expedia and Airbnb, please refer to the cancellation policy of the portal through which you booked.
If you are unable to use your reservation, contact us as soon as possible. We will try to reschedule the same or a different tour, but changes cannot be guaranteed.
If you are not at the designated meeting point at your scheduled pickup time, Tao Travel 365 reserves the right not to provide a refund. We will always try to locate you and contact the WhatsApp number provided with your booking.
II. CANCELED OR POSTPONED TOURS
Occasionally, tours are canceled or postponed due to weather, water conditions, mechanical failure or other unforeseen events. Should this occur, we will attempt to contact you and explain the applicable refund or rescheduling procedure.
If Tao Travel 365 cancels your tour, we will refund the tour price paid or attempt to reschedule you for another tour.
III. REFUNDS
Refunds are only available when a tour is canceled within the cancellation guidelines in Section I or canceled or postponed by Tao Travel 365 as described in Section II.
Refunds cover the tour price paid. Payment-processing and convenience fees are nonrefundable.
To request a refund for a tour canceled or postponed by Tao Travel 365, email sales@taotravel365.tours within two days of the cancellation and write “refund” in the subject line. Instructions will be provided.
IV. 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 at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email sales@taotravel365.tours to inquire. Fees may apply.
Reviews
EXCELLENT
2281 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, 2025
Mario 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, 2025
Had 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, 2025
An 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, 2025
We 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, 2025
Beautiful 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, 2025
Touring 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, 2025
Oscar 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, 2025
This 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, 2025
Our 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, 2025
EXCELLENT! 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, 2025Verified
Una 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, 2025
Tao 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, 2025Verified
Really beautiful trip! We even had a tour in the mangrove and saw a lot of sloths. Really recommendedPosted on Tripadvisor![]()
JillMarch 19, 2025Verified
Island 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, 2025
Ana 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, 2025
Richard 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, 2025Verified
Wir 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, 2025
What 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, 2025
We 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, 2025
I 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, 2025Verified
Excellent 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, 2025
Ana 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, 2025Verified
Recommended 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, 2025Verified
Toller 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, 2025Verified
Monkeytastic 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, 2024
We 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, 2024Verified
You'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, 2024Verified
Gamboa 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, 2024
Our 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, 2024Verified
Monkeys. 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, 2024
This 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, 2024
Ana 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, 2024
Great fun for all. Mario was a great driver!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
DBstravelbuddyJune 19, 2024Verified
A 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, 2024
This 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, 2024
I 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, 2024
I 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, 2024
My 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, 2024
Hoy 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, 2024
I 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, 2024
Fue 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, 2024
We 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, 2024
We 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, 2024
What 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, 2024
Very 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, 2024
The 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, 2024
We 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, 2024
Brilliant 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, 2024
Ali was amazing!! 10/10 recommend. Saw tons of sloths & monkeys, and got very close!Posted on Google![]()
Chandler JohnsonMarch 31, 2024
Ali 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, 2024
Did 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, 2024
The 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, 2024
Great time visiting monkey island and the sloth sanctuary.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Walter PMarch 3, 2024Verified
Great 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, 2024
I 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, 2024
Our 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, 2024
Ana 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, 2024
Boat ride and seeing monkeys was great. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful.Posted on Google![]()
Julie FrostJanuary 18, 2024
Aura 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, 2024
Fantastic 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, 2024
Mario 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, 2024
Absolutely 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, 2024
Had 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, 2024Verified
Must 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, 2024Verified
Must 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, 2024
Had 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, 2023
The 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, 2023Verified
Monkey 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, 2023
We 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, 2023
Great visit saw 3 types of monkeys and some alligators, went to sloth sanctuary saw critersPosted on Google![]()
Sunondo RoyNovember 28, 2023
Ana 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 Tripadvisor![]()
Curious150808November 20, 2023Verified
Fun 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, 2023
Danilo was a great guide for the day’s tour, would highly recommend the Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary experience!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
LowellAckermanNovember 3, 2023Verified
Great 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, 2023
Our 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, 2023
One 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



