Panama Canal Eco-Tour: Monkey Island & Jungle

4.8 / 5

Get ready for an unforgettable eco-adventure! Cruise inside the Panama Canal across the stunning Gatun Lake to the amazing Monkey Island, then enjoy a fun jungle hike in Soberanía National Park.

About this activity

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English, Spanish

Limited to 12 participants

All passengers must be ready and waiting in the hotel or Airbnb lobby at least 45 minutes before the start of the activity. Please note that we will only wait up to 5 minutes at the pickup point out of respect for the other participants. This is a shared tour.

Highlighted reviews from other travelers
Adam – United States
May 6, 2025 – Verified booking
Fernando was fantastic! We got to see all 3 kinds of monkeys expected, give fruit to each, see some cool baby crocodiles and many birds, pulled over for a nice sloth sighting, and more. Got to also treated to raspado, a (literal!) treat. Would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone.
Jana – Slovakia
May 1, 2025 – Verified booking
We had an amazing experience! The whole trip was perfectly organized and a lot of fun. Our guide, Fernando, was fantastic. He really knows his stuff and went out of his way to spot every animal. His enthusiasm was infectious, and he made sure we all got the best views. The scenery was stunning, and seeing the monkeys and other wild animals was incredible. I'd definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great wildlife adventure in Panama. Fernando's expertise and dedication made it a memorable experience. Thanks, Fernando!
Kerron – Barbados
April 26, 2025 – Verified booking
We had an amazing experience! The whole trip was perfectly organized and a lot of fun. Our guide, Fernando, was fantastic. He really knows his stuff and went out of his way to spot every animal. His enthusiasm was infectious, and he made sure we all got the best views. The scenery was stunning, and seeing the monkeys and other wild animals was incredible. I'd definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great wildlife adventure in Panama. Fernando's expertise and dedication made it a memorable experience. Thanks, Fernando!
Lina María – Colombia
April 21, 2025 – Verified booking
The tour was excellent and neatly organized! They reached me a day before to inform me the hour they were picking me up. Evelyn was the one who picked me up and she was very kind and punctual. She took me to a bigger bus where I met Fernando, an awesome, funny and knowledgeable guide! We saw three different species of monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, hawks and even a venomous frog! He had drinks available all the time which was really nice. After going to the Monkey islands we stopped for typical snacks, then went to a beautiful hotel called Gamboa Rainforest. After that, we went hiking through a forest and finally to see the Pedro Miguel esclusas. I totally recommend this tour! Just loved it.
Alexis – France
April 16, 2025 – Verified booking
it was a perfect day with Fernando our guide. we discovered the Panama Canal and monkey island. we could approach and feed monkeys, saw iguane, crocodile and other animals. special attention to all the details on the side of the visit: refreshments, food,..
Jackie – United Kingdom
April 8, 2025 – Verified booking
The whole trip was excellent. The guide couldn’t have been more helpful. Fernando is a top man.
Kashmira – United States
April 5, 2025 – Verified booking
Fernando was excellent! He went over and beyond to make our experience in more than words can describe. Many praises to Francisco, steering our boat with precision and safety as well as awesome sightseeing off of the island. Highly recommended! Thank you my friends.
Duane – United States
April 4, 2025 – Verified booking
Fernando was excellent! He went over and beyond to make our experience in more than words can describe. Many praises to Francisco, steering our boat with precision and safety as well as awesome sightseeing off of the island. Highly recommended! Thank you my friends.
Emily – United States
April 2, 2025 – Verified booking
We really enjoyed this activity and were glad we chose this specific tour due to the boat configuration - this boat had bench seating on the sides and you could move freely during the stops to view wildlife. Other boats that we saw had fixed rows of individual seats, that held more people and looked like you could not easily maneuver between them. The boat ride was fun because we saw a massive container ship heading through the canal, and then we saw some really amazing wildlife: Tamarin monkeys, Howler monkeys, and Capuchin monkeys, plus a big crocodile, iguana, and various birds (no toucans sadly). We liked the snack stop (vegetarian options available) and then the short hike in the jungle. Everything was well organized and our guide, Fernando, gave us lots of information about the wildlife and the area. We were very happy choosing this specific tour, as there seem to be lots of similar tours, this one was a great value and was smaller than other tours we saw the same day.
Ruth – United States
March 30, 2025 – Verified booking
We loved getting to know some of the animals "personally". The boat captain and guide worked really well together.
Kenneth – United States
March 29, 2025 – Verified booking
Excellent tour, we were able to see all types of monkeys and animals. Even feed them ourselves.
Stepheni – United States
March 25, 2025 – Verified booking
This was one of the highlights of our time in Panama! Highly recommend this tour. You will see lots of wildlife and get a lot of time with nature. We were worried about clothing- be comfy, and you can get away with any type of shoe, the hike isn’t difficult. However, your shoes could get dirty so be mindful. I wore sandals and they were fine.
Raghav – United States
March 25, 2025 – Verified booking
Had a fun experience visiting Monkey Island with Fernando, who is engaging, funny and a great guide for the activity. Great choice for a family looking to visit a lesser seen part of the Canal to enjoy up close meetings with monkeys and other wildlife.
Jessica – United States
March 24, 2025 – Verified booking
We loved our guide and we saw tons of monkeys, a sloth, and parrots. I would recommend!
George – United States
March 21, 2025 – Verified booking
Fernando was our guide and knows where the monkeys are and we were able to see a lot of monkeys in their natural environment! The experience far exceeded our expectations and imagination! We got an up close interaction with the monkeys as some came aboard our boat. The tour was well worth it! Thanks!

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$95
$ 69
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Experience

Take a look at this quick 90-second video for a preview of what you can expect from this experience.

Itinerary

Highlights
  • Visit the habitat of the monkeys, including Capuchins, Tamarins, and Howlers
  • Cruise through the Panama Canal and see massive ships in both directions
  • See the diverse flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest in the Canal’s watershed
  • Explore Soberanía National Park and discover more wildlife.

Enjoy one of the most epic activities you can experience during your visit to Panama!

Start your adventure on the Chagres River, one of the main tributaries that feeds the Canal. As you cruise along Gatun Lake—inside the Panama Canal—you’ll have the unique chance to watch and sail beside the massive ships that pass through the Canal in both directions. Please note: this tour does not include visiting or crossing the Canal locks.

This adventure also takes you deep into the tropical rainforest within the Canal’s watershed, where you’ll discover the rich variety of plants and animals that thrive in this lush environment. With over 160 species of wild animals and 25 species of protected birds, this experience is a paradise for nature lovers.

The highlight of the tour is visiting the monkeys’ natural habitat, where you might spot Capuchins, Tamarins, and Howler monkeys.

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Fruits for Monkey Feeding
  • Bottle of water
  • Entrance to Soberania National Park
  • Snaks & Fruit
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with animal allergies

Not allowed

  • Pets

Know before you go

  • All participants should be ready 45 minutes before the start of the chosen activity. We begin promptly with everyone on the van, and we will start picking up guests 45 minutes prior to the scheduled time.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and shoesride
  • Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
  • Use insect repellent to avoid bites.
  • For safety reasons, pets are not allowed under any circumstances, including assistance animals. If you have an assistance animal, this activity is not for you. The reason is that we interact with wild animals along the way, and they may become aggressive toward your pet, potentially causing harm. Monkeys are very territorial.
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Get in Touch

Gamboa, Colon, Panama

monkeyisland@ambosmarespanama.com

+ (507) 6367-9896