Whereas the precise crossing is the true spotlight of any Panama Canal cruise, cruisers mustn’t overlook concerning the fascinating issues to see and do in Colon and Panama Metropolis. These Panamanian ports may be stops in your itinerary or embarkation/debarkation ports, relying on the size of your crusing and which path your ship travels by way of the canal. Irrespective of which you go to, both gives you entry to energetic, cultural and outside pursuits.
For cruise information, critiques and ideas, join TPG’s cruise e-newsletter.
Do not miss out on all Central America has to supply cruisers. Listed below are a number of the finest Panama Canal excursions to e book throughout your journey.
Issues to learn about Panama Canal excursions
Take into account that costs range amongst tour operators and cruise traces. For this story, here’s a worth key to present you a basic concept of the anticipated price for these itineraries:
- $ = lower than $75
- $$ = $75-$150
- $$$ = $150-$200
- $$$$ = over $200
Additionally, listed below are a couple of tricks to observe whereas getting ready on your Panama outing:
- Put on comfy footwear, clothes and a hat, and carry a small backpack with requirements for the day, together with a refillable water bottle and snacks if meals is not included within the tour.
- For those who’re doing an tour within the jungle or round any foliage, you’ll want to put on insect repellent.
- Put on sunscreen for any excursions which might be outdoors; even in the event you’re not going to be within the water, Panama’s shut proximity to the equator makes the solar intense. For those who’re snorkeling or swimming, use reef-safe sunscreen, which will not hurt coral or marine life.
- Take money for ideas on your information and to buy souvenirs and handmade objects from indigenous peoples. U.S. {dollars} are accepted all over the place.
- Earlier than taking photos of any indigenous folks, ask them or your information if it is permitted.
Panama Metropolis
Aerial tram tour at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve
Value: $
About 45 minutes from Panama Metropolis lies the luxurious tropical paradise of the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, the place guests can e book varied eco-focused experiences. The reserve is a part of Soberania Nationwide Park, which encompasses 55,000 acres on the shores of the Panama Canal.
On a 90-minute aerial tram tour, guests can get a peek on the native wildlife from a novel perspective. Board a gondola for the two,000-foot-long, 400-foot-high trip above the rainforest cover, throughout which you may really feel like you’ll be able to virtually contact the bushes. Spot sloths, nesting birds and varied species of monkeys.
Day by day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
When you arrive on the prime station, you may disembark for a five- to 10-minute stroll to a 100-foot-tall statement tower that provides a scenic 360-degree-view of Gamboa, Soberania Nationwide Park, the Chagres River and the Panama Canal.
Native peoples tour at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve
Value: $$
Throughout this two- to three-hour cultural tour, you may be taught concerning the Wounaan, one of many nation’s seven Indigenous teams. For hundreds of years, the Wounaan folks have lived within the Darien, a geographic area with a watershed, forest and mountains near Colombia. Over time, nonetheless, some members of the Wounaan have migrated to different areas near the Chagres River, giving guests to the area a novel alternative to immerse themselves within the tradition.
Associated: High Panama Canal cruise ideas and methods to get probably the most out of this distinctive crossing
The Wounaan neighborhood is understood for its creative and warrior abilities. As you stroll by way of their settlements, you may get to expertise a few of their traditions and buy genuine tribal souvenirs.
Driving/strolling tour of Previous Panama Metropolis
Value: $$
Previous Panama Metropolis, or Panama Viejo, is what stays of the unique metropolis, which dates again to 1519 and was destroyed in 1671 by Welsh privateer Henry Morgan. Sitauted within the suburbs of Panama, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Web site in 1997.
Getting right here requires an hour-long drive from Colon or a half-hour drive from the Panama Metropolis cruise port. If you arrive, you’ll be able to discover the Previous Panama Cathedral and different ruins on foot, climb up the bell tower for a view of the skyline and store on the artisan market.
The tour continues to the previous colonial metropolis of Casco Antiguo (additionally known as Casco Viejo), a hip neighborhood with a lot of architectural selection that offers it an eclectic vibe. Wander the town’s cobblestone streets, and take within the colonial mansions, the Metropolitan Cathedral, artwork galleries and the Interoceanic Canal Museum. The ultimate cease is Las Bóvedas in Casco Viejo, the ocean wall on the Spanish fort, the place you may stroll alongside the highest for a view of Panama Metropolis throughout the bay.
Free time is constructed into the tour, so department off to strive some native delicacies or store for souvenirs.
Taboga Island catamaran tour
Value : $$
This island within the Gulf of Panama was found within the sixteenth century by Balboa, who known as it Isla de San Pedro; its present title derives from an indigenous phrase “aboga,” that means “many fish.” Taboga Island’s seashores, mountaineering trails, and fishing and snorkeling alternatives (to not point out its proximity to Panama Metropolis) make it a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers.
A six-hour catamaran tour allows you to expertise a few of what Taboga Island has to supply. The tour departs from the Panama Metropolis cruise terminal, the place you may board a big catamaran geared up with the whole lot you may want for the day.
Associated: 12 finest Panama Canal cruises for a bucket-list journey
The primary cease is a bay on the again facet of the island, the place you’ll be able to swim or lounge on the boat’s nets. Subsequent, you may sail to the seaside facet, the place you may have the chance to go to the village of San Pedro, residence to the city church of the identical title (mentioned to be the second-oldest church in Latin America). You may also seize some snorkeling gear on board and take to the water. The tour concludes with lunch and drinks on the trip again to Panama Metropolis.
Miraflores Customer Middle
Value: $
For those who absolutely transit the canal to the Pacific facet, you may cross by way of the Miraflores Locks, the place you may little question see guests waving and cheering from a platform on the customer middle. It is price a visit to come back again right here, the place you’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the technique of ships passing throughout a self-guided tour. The middle is a few 30-minute drive from the Panama Metropolis cruise port.
At present, the 4 exhibition halls that painting the canal’s historical past, building, biodiversity and significance are quickly closed for renovations. A visit continues to be price it for the wonderful 3D IMAX movie narrated by Morgan Freeman, which does a fantastic job explaining the trials, tribulations and perils of constructing this awe-inspiring feat.
You may also stand on the ground-level terrace or seize a seat within the bleachers on the primary degree to observe ships cross by way of; typically, a workers member is available to offer commentary because the cargo and cruise vessels navigate the ultimate set of locks within the Canal earlier than reaching the Pacific. Earlier than leaving, decide up every kind of souvenirs, from hats to shirts and books, on the on-site reward store.
Colon
Embera tribe village
Value: $$
The Embera folks, additionally known as the Choco or Katio Indians, are indigenous to Panama and Colombia; as we speak, about 33,000 folks dwelling in Panama determine as Embera. A tour of an Embera tribe village is immersive but in addition lengthy (usually six to seven hours).
The tour begins with a 45-minute drive to Chagres Nationwide Park, adopted by a trip in a standard Embera dugout canoe on the Chagres River in an space stuffed with wildlife; you would possibly even spot a toucan. As soon as on the village, the chief welcomes your group, and the Embera folks carry out a collection of conventional dances. Friends can have time to discover the village independently and take heed to locals speak about their lives, together with how they use the medicinal vegetation they supply from the jungle.
Lunch is often included and infrequently consists of a standard meal of fried fish or hen, yuca and fried plantains. Guests can store for handwoven baskets, plates and masks comprised of palm leaf fibers, cocobolo wooden and tagua seeds, earlier than heading again to the ship.
Associated: What to pack for a Panama Canal cruise
Kayaking within the Agua Clara Locks
Value: $$
This tour is ideal for energetic vacationers who will get to see Gatun Lake from a kayak. The roughly five-hour tour begins with a 75-minute drive to Gamboa Resort, the place you may get your kayak and get on the lake. When you paddle, preserve a watch out for wildlife; the world is residence to greater than 300 species of birds, together with capuchin monkeys.
The tour continues to the Agua Clara Customer Middle to see ships passing by way of the canal and be taught extra concerning the canal’s building, growth and operations by way of interactive shows and a rainforest path.
Portobelo
Value: $-$$
A UNESCO World Heritage Web site, Portobelo boasts sea views and ruins from its former life as a Spanish colonial city. After a 1 1/2-hour trip from Colon, you may embark on a guided stroll round city, dotted with homes in brightly painted colours, workshops and galleries housing Congo artwork installations. Congo dancers performing within the streets and eating places serving Afro-Caribbean delicacies.
The tour stops at Iglesia de San Felipe, a Roman Catholic church that is often known as the Black Christ Church. Right here, Christo Negro is on show, a life-size wood statue of Black Christ that was discovered on the shores of the harbor and is well known with a pageant each October. You may additionally see the ruins of Fort San Jeronimo and Santiago Battery, two of the 5 Spanish ports within the space. You may additionally discover the Royal Customs Home of Portobelo, which was used within the sixteenth century to stash Peruvian gold and different loot that was seized in Latin America.
Relying on the tour, there could also be time to take a brief speedboat trip to Playa Huertas or Isla Mamey to snorkel or calm down on the seaside.
Planning a cruise? Begin with these tales:
