English-speaking shore excursion from the port of Colón, with a walking tour of the colonial Old Town, the Amador Causeway and a visit to the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal.
Highlights
- Amador Causeway with views of the ultra-modern skyline
- English-speaking walk through the Old Town of Panama
- Visit to the Agua Clara Locks
- Two oceans and two bridges over the Panama Canal
Panama City Shore Excursion from the Port of Colón
A colonial Old Town and an ultra-modern skyline, the Caribbean and the Pacific: Panama City leaves a lasting impression on everyone who visits. We explore the colonial Old Town on foot, stroll across its squares, and take in spectacular views of the bay and the city skyline from the Amador Causeway. Then we drive on to the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal.
Our team of seasoned English-speaking guides is with you throughout the excursion.
Type of trip: Shore excursions
Duration: 8 hours
Participants: 6-20
Price: from €100 per person
Highlights
- Amador Causeway with views of the ultra-modern skyline
- English-speaking walk through the Old Town of Panama
- Agua Clara Locks
- Two oceans and two bridges over the Panama Canal
Itinerary
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 06:30 | Meeting point at the port |
| 06:45 | Departure for Panama City |
| 08:00 | Panoramic drive along the Amador Causeway waterfront |
| 08:30 | Drive to the Old Town |
| 09:00 | Walking tour of the Old Town |
| 11:30 | Bus transfer to the Panama Canal |
| 13:00 | Visit to the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal |
| 14:00 | Return drive to Colón |
| 14:30 | Arrival at the port |
Below is a sample description of this shore excursion from the port of Colón, with a 6:30 a.m. departure. For the 10:00 a.m. departure the excursion is adjusted, and we’ll send you a matching detailed description by e-mail.
Detailed Description
Our team of English-speaking guides meets and welcomes you right at the port of Colón. An eventful, beautiful day in Panama begins straight away as you ride through the city of Colón in air-conditioned buses, picking up anecdotes and facts about its colourful history along the way. We follow the motorway about 80 km to the Pacific coast and Panama City (the motorway drive applies only to excursions departing from the port of Colón). We stop at the Amador Causeway, a waterfront promenade at the entrance to the Panama Canal, with a great view of the Bridge of the Americas and the Panama City skyline.
Next comes the first highlight of the day: a guided walk through the historic Old Town of Panama. Your guide tells the eventful story of the city and the country, much of which played out within the walls of the Old Town. You visit the Plaza Herrera and see the famous golden altar of the Church of San José.
We visit the Plaza Mayor (main square) with the Cathedral of Panama, then stroll through the colonial alleys to the Plaza de Francia, where the Paseo de las Bóvedas opens up a beautiful view across the Bay of Panama. We look out towards Ancon Hill, the islands of Perico, Flamenco and Naos, and the Paitilla peninsula with its striking high-rises. After the walk there’s still time (about 45 minutes) to explore the Old Town on your own, pick up Panamanian souvenirs and handicrafts, or settle on a picturesque square with a cold beer or an excellent Panamanian coffee (Panama grows some of the world’s finest high-altitude Arabica, and here in the Old Town you can taste a cup for yourself).
We then drive past the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks and head back towards Colón, putting us near the port again nice and early. We cross the impressive Centennial Bridge and look down into the Gaillard Cut, with luck even spotting a huge container ship passing through the canal. The Gaillard Cut, or Corte Culebra, was carved through the Central American cordillera and was the single greatest obstacle in building the Panama Canal. After about an hour’s drive we’re back on the Atlantic coast, where we head to the Agua Clara Locks. These locks opened in 2016, built because many modern ships no longer fit through the old locks of 1914. From the lock complex’s visitor centre we look straight down into the chambers and watch the ocean giants pass from Lake Gatún out to the Atlantic.
If time allows, we also cross the Atlantic Bridge, from where we can see both lock complexes at once: the old Gatún Locks from 1914 and the modern Agua Clara Locks we’ve just visited. We make a short stop at the Gatún Locks and, if a ship happens to be passing through, watch one of the towing locomotives at work. Then we drive back to the port of Colón, returning you to your ship on time and with a comfortable buffer to spare.
We always tailor the excursion times precisely to your ship’s docking schedule. You’ll receive the detailed timings for your particular ship along with your booking request.
Our quality promise to you:
- Every tour is led by experienced English-speaking guides; we’ve been guiding groups from cruise ships since 2007.
- Easy registration, with payment on site in US dollars or, if you prefer, by bank transfer.
- Small groups of up to 19 people make for a personal experience of the country and its culture.
- Our guides can adapt the tour on the fly, so that you don’t miss the ships locking through the Panama Canal.
- Careful planning, years of experience organising excursions, and punctuality are what we’re known for.
Services
Included Services
- Travel in air-conditioned buses
- English-speaking guide: Guaranteed!
- Snacks and drinks
- Entrance to the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal
Services Not Included
- Tips
Notes, Info & FAQ
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination, and which vaccinations do I generally need for Panama?
The standard vaccinations recommended in Germany are enough to keep you well protected. The tales of malaria and yellow fever epidemics go back to the building of the Panama Canal from 1881 onwards and were overcome long ago. The last locally acquired case of yellow fever in Panama was recorded in 1972.
More information on health, tropical diseases and vaccinations can be found here.
Weather and Clothing
Wear light, comfortable summer clothing (shorts and a short-sleeved shirt). Panama’s rainy season runs from mid-April to mid-December. The heaviest downpours come at the tail end of it, in October and November, so up to mid-December we’d recommend packing an umbrella or rain jacket, though heavy rain can fall in the dry season too. In the dry season from December to April it barely rains and the sun is strong throughout; around midday the temperature climbs to about 34 degrees Celsius, so good sun protection and plenty of water are essential. Be sure to use sunscreen, wear a hat or cap and bring sunglasses.
Currency
Officially the country’s currency is the Panamanian balboa, but in practice it’s the US dollar that circulates. To be exact, only dollar notes are used, while the coins include both US dollar coins and balboa coins, which are minted for Panama in the USA.
Credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants and shops. A tip on cash: don’t bring large notes for the souvenir shops and the like. It’s best to carry four 5-dollar bills and the rest in 20s.
How do I find the meeting point?
We have an easy-to-find meeting point right inside the port area, where we wait holding a sign with the Panamatura logo. Along with your excursion voucher we send you a map and detailed directions for finding us.
Port info Colón
Click here to find information on the port of Colón.
General country and travel information for Panama
Follow this link to read detailed country and travel information for Panama.
Dates & Prices
This excursion runs on every date when the cruise ships Aida and Mein Schiff call at the port of Colón. For other ships, please tell us the ship’s name, the port and the docking time.
Please enter your date in the booking form.
Prices
| Number of participants | Price |
|---|---|
| 6-9 participants | EUR 110 / USD 120 |
| 10-14 participants | EUR 105 / USD 115 |
| 15-20 participants | EUR 100 / USD 110 |
Reduced rates for children: up to 6 years – EUR/USD 55, up to 11 years – EUR/USD 45.
You’re welcome to pay in cash in US dollars on the day of the tour in Panama, or to transfer the amount in advance in EUR (please put the excursion date and name in the reference). Panama’s currency is the US dollar, which you can also withdraw from an ATM at the port.
