On our Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary tour you will get up close and personal with four different species of monkeys -the Mantled Howler Monkey, the White-Faced Capuchin Monkey, Geoffroy’s Tamarin Monkey, and the Lemurine Owl Monkey - as they climb on you and snatch food. Discover many other wild animals including crocodiles, toucans, sloths, iguanas, turtles, and numerous exotic birds.

We will also visit a sloth sanctuary, where you can observe these intriguing creatures up close in their natural habitat.

TOUR OVERVIEW - Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary tour

Between 6:30am and 7:00 am, your personal guide and driver will meet you at your Panama City lodging (Please wait in the lobby of your lodging starting at 6:30am). We start our tour earlier than others to see more monkeys before their bellies are full from other visitors feeding them). As you commence the 40 minute drive, you will have the chance to see the old, colonial American neighborhoods, which served as homes for the Canal construction families and we will pass the famous Culebra Cut. As we arrive at the shores of Lake Gatun you will be greeted by the dense rainforest and all its intriguing sights and sounds.

We will embark with our boat into the Chagres River, which will lead us into the artificially created Gatun lake, which is a hotspot for biodiversity, giving you the chance to spot wildlife such as the coati, howler monkeys, squirrels and sloths, as well as beautiful birds like the toucan and parrots. Our path takes us mostly parallel to the Panama Canal and into Soberanía National Park on our way to the Gamboa Public Docks, where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. A couple of minutes into the boat ride, we enter the Canal and take a quick ride past the Dredging Division's facilities and along the shipping lane (and past a large ship or three) toward the Monkey Island area. Needless to say, thanks to Panama’s abundant biodiversity, a bit of luck, and your boat captains’ uncannily sharp eyes will give you plenty more to look for, so keep that camera handy at all times.

As we land on the Monkey Island, listen for the different primate sounds and the rustling in the trees as monkeys jump amongst the branches. Prepare for monkeys to come up to you and inspect your clothes, hats and bags. Being surrounded by these magnificent creatures will be an unforgettable experience and give you many photo opportunities.

Next up, we will visit the Sloth Sanctuary, which is located inside the Gamboa region, nestled within the lush rainforests of Panama. As you arrive at the sanctuary, you will immediately be surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Upon entering the sanctuary, you will be greeted by knowledgeable and passionate staff who will provide you with an introduction to the world of sloths. They will share interesting facts about these slow-moving creatures, their behaviors, and their importance in the ecosystem.

Accompanied by an experienced guide, guests explore the sloths' natural habitat, observing them as they climb trees, munch on leaves, and simply relax in their own peaceful world.

During the tour, you will have the opportunity to see both two-toed and three-toed sloths up close. The guide will educate you about the differences between the two species and highlight their unique characteristics. You will also learn about their slow metabolism, their specialized diet, and their surprisingly strong grip.

A tour to the Sloth Sanctuary is a delightful adventure that allows you to connect with nature, learn about the fascinating world of sloths, and support their conservation. So, get ready to slow down, appreciate the beauty of these enchanting creatures, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

We will also visit the Butterfly House, the Orchid gardens and a Frog Exhibition, all located within walking distance from the sloth sanctuary.

On our last stop we visit the Butterfly House where we will observe the endemic butterflies that live in the Panamanian rainforest such as the colorful Blue Morpho Butterfly. We will also visit the orchid and frog exhibitions.

At 12:00pm, we start to make our way back to our tour starting point and back to Panama City.

TOUR SUMMARY - Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary tour

• Tour (minimum 2 guests)
• Price - $119 per adult, $109 per child (until age 10)
• Duration - 5 hours
• Start time - 6:30 am - Everyday, except Mondays

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Pick-up and drop off at your Panama City lodging
• Well-maintained, air-conditioned car
• Bi-lingual guides (English/Spanish)
• Tour to Monkey Island, Sloth Sanctuary, Butterfly house and Orchid & Frog exhibition
• Boat Tour
• Island entrance fees
• Entrance to the Sloth Sanctuary, Butterfly House and, Orchids and Frog exhibitions
• Water Bottles

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Lunch
• Hotel pickup and drop-off outside of Panama City (i.e. Playa Bonita, Costa del Este & Tocumen area. Please select option during checkout)

WHAT TO BRING

• Comfortable and adequate clothing to protect yourself from the sun and thus avoid the use of sunscreen. Creams (even biodegradable ones) are polluting and for that reason we do not promote their use
• Comfortable and safe footwear
• Sun glasses
• Towel
• Camera
• Cap or hat
• A reusable bottle to fill with water during the day
• Cash for tips and souvenirs

Please Note:

• There are no ATMs in the area, vendors do not accept card payments either. Cash Only!
• ATTENTION LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS: Bookings made after 6:00pm for the following day are NOT guaranteed until we respond and explicitly confirm your tour itinerary. If your booking is not confirmed by one of our booking specialists, your tour will be scheduled for the subsequent day.

CANCELATION POLICY

Please read our Tour Cancelation Policy before booking.