Boating in Panama City

On your next vacation in Panama City, enjoy the Pacific and the city's skyline aboard a boat. If you like boat trips, visit the islands closest to the capital, such as Taboga in the Gulf of Panama, or Contadora, in the Las Perlas Archipelago. Sail on Gatun Lake or live a unique experience through the Panama Canal's locks.

Sail the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is one of our great attractions. This mega-project will really leave you speechless, and now you'll be able to get to know it from the inside.

Take a catamaran and take a partial or full tour of the canal. Live the exclusive experience of passing through the locks, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, alongside commercial ships or huge cruise ships. It's very important that you book your tour in advance and keep in mind that it can take 6 hours or more, depending on the tour you choose.

Be sure to sail through Gatun Lake, a lake created to feed the canal's locks. Here you can see the ships crossing from ocean to ocean, as well as learn about the rich flora and fauna of the Panama Canal basin. On the trip, you'll be able to see lizards, hundreds of birds and visit several islands.

To visit Gatun Lake, you must get to Gamboa, 45 minutes from the city. This small town has 2 ports: one public and one private, from where you can hire tours to sail or fish on the lake.

Sail Through the Pacific Ocean

Departing from the city's ports you can enjoy a day of sailing, visit Taboga, the Las Perlas Archipelago or San Carlos, in the Pacific Riviera.

Get to know new landscapes aboard catamarans, sailboats or boats that suit your needs.

Set sail for your next adventure from Puerto Flamenco, on the Amador Causeway, just a few minutes from the city center. From this port you can depart to the islands or take a panoramic tour of the Bay of Panama. Enjoy the skyline at sunset, with views of Punta Pacifica, Paitilla, Costa del Este and Cinta Costera.

When to Come

In Panama City, you can find tours to sail throughout the year. If you're planning your vacation in advance and are flexible with dates, we recommend coming from June to October, so you can go whale watching.

Between April and November, in the rainy season, you may have some gray days, but the weather will be ideal for your trips in the Pacific, as it's very calm. And if you're in the city from December to March, the dry season, you'll have sunny days with strong summer winds, at the beginning of the season you'll have the best conditions for snorkeling in the Las Perlas Archipelago.

The options you'll find include snacks, meals, or even beach club days. The prices for the Pacific or Gatun Lake tours are as varied as the plans and range from approximately $50 to $200.

If you're a boat lover, Panama City is your port for adventure. From here you'll find a wide variety of plans to choose from. Choose whether you want to sail for a whole day or take a short trip, see nature, do some adventure or visit new destinations.