Monkey Island Tour & Gatun Lake Wildlife Boat Trip
About this experience
Discover the incredible wildlife of Panama on this unforgettable boat tour through Gatun Lake, the massive man-made lake that forms a crucial part of the Panama Canal. Your adventure begins with convenient hotel pickup from Panama City or Casco Viejo. Travel through the lush Panamanian countryside to Gamboa, a former Canal Zone town on the edge of Soberania National Park, one of the most accessible rainforests in the world. Board a comfortable boat at the Gamboa pier and cruise into Gatun Lake, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife along the jungle-lined shores. Watch massive cargo ships navigate the Panama Canal while you explore the lake's many islands. The highlight of the tour is Monkey Island, where you will encounter playful capuchin monkeys and hear the deep, haunting calls of howler monkeys echoing through the forest canopy. These curious creatures often approach the boat, providing incredible photo opportunities. Beyond monkeys, the lake is home to an impressive variety of wildlife. Spot toucans, herons, kingfishers, and other tropical birds. You may also see sloths hanging in the trees, crocodiles sunning on the banks, and various lizards and iguanas. Your experienced guide has over eight years of expertise in wildlife observation and knows exactly where to find the animals. The tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, making it perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
What you'll do
87 reviews
Christa
We had such a great time! Both guys were very knowledgeable and helpful. Was worth every dollar and then some. Literally one of my top ten experiences ever. If you’re hesitant in between a couple of different monkey island tours, trust me! This is the one to pick!
Rebecca
Federal Way, WA
Fun time seeing the monkeys...and even a sloth!! Daniel was a wonderful guide. Only downside was the traffic, which they can't do anything about. But, know that the time can be extended significantly - and maybe bring a snack to have in the car. Luckily, I did not have other plans after the tour.
Adeline
New Britain, CT
I took this tour with my husband, two daughters ages 18 and 12 and my father who is 76. We all loved the experience. Chris our guide was super knowledgeable and attentive. Pick up location was easy to find and seamless. Chris and the driver of the boat went out of their way to make sure we saw a few monkeys who seemed to not want to come out. You cannot command nature's animals to do what you want but they were very pacient and tried to get them to make an appearance. Beware, when the monkeys do come on the boat , one was super fast and grabbed a bag of chips from my seat. This is a great tour that I would highly recommend. Thank you Chris. I'm truly glad that you and your family were able to enjoy this fascinating experience.
Melysa
Los Angeles, CA
What a fun day! We saw so many monkeys and our guide was very knowledgeable and knows the area and where to find the monkeys. Our girls haven’t stoped talking about this experience and we all look forward to doing it again! Hi Melysa, it was a pleasure to us to perform you and your family an unforgettable experience.
Ariel
Las Vegas, NV
Great experience the monkey are amazing got to see a lot of wildlife relaxing 😎
Christa
We had such a great time! Both guys were very knowledgeable and helpful. Was worth every dollar and then some. Literally one of my top ten experiences ever. If you’re hesitant in between a couple of different monkey island tours, trust me! This is the one to pick!
Rebecca
Federal Way, WA
Fun time seeing the monkeys...and even a sloth!! Daniel was a wonderful guide. Only downside was the traffic, which they can't do anything about. But, know that the time can be extended significantly - and maybe bring a snack to have in the car. Luckily, I did not have other plans after the tour.
Adeline
New Britain, CT
I took this tour with my husband, two daughters ages 18 and 12 and my father who is 76. We all loved the experience. Chris our guide was super knowledgeable and attentive. Pick up location was easy to find and seamless. Chris and the driver of the boat went out of their way to make sure we saw a few monkeys who seemed to not want to come out. You cannot command nature's animals to do what you want but they were very pacient and tried to get them to make an appearance. Beware, when the monkeys do come on the boat , one was super fast and grabbed a bag of chips from my seat. This is a great tour that I would highly recommend. Thank you Chris. I'm truly glad that you and your family were able to enjoy this fascinating experience.
Melysa
Los Angeles, CA
What a fun day! We saw so many monkeys and our guide was very knowledgeable and knows the area and where to find the monkeys. Our girls haven’t stoped talking about this experience and we all look forward to doing it again! Hi Melysa, it was a pleasure to us to perform you and your family an unforgettable experience.
Ariel
Las Vegas, NV
Great experience the monkey are amazing got to see a lot of wildlife relaxing 😎
Cam
Mexico City, Mexico
We loved it! We were able to see the super cute monkeys The guide was very well prepared Thank you Translated from Spanish.
Meet your host
Carlos
Local Guide
Reviews
Rating
I'm a biologist and Certified Nature Specialist accredited by the Panama Tourism Authority. Living near Panama City, I've spent 10+ years studying the biodiversity of Soberania National Park. Join me to spot monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and unique plants around Gatun Lake. My passion is sharing Panama's incredible wildlife with visitors from around the world.
To protect your payment, never transfer money or communicate outside of the Bandits website or app.
About your guide
To protect your payment, never transfer money or communicate outside of the Bandits website or app.
I'm a biologist and Certified Nature Specialist accredited by the Panama Tourism Authority. Living near Panama City, I've spent 10+ years studying the biodiversity of Soberania National Park. Join me to spot monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and unique plants around Gatun Lake. My passion is sharing Panama's incredible wildlife with visitors from around the world.
Where you'll be
Panama City, Panama Province, Panama
Hotel pickup from Panama City center, Casco Viejo, or designated meeting point. Exact pickup time and location confirmed after booking.
Things to know
Guest requirements
Guests ages 4 and up can attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Activity level
Light activity - suitable for all fitness levels. You will be seated on the boat for most of the tour.
What to bring
Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera (waterproof bag recommended), light comfortable clothing, and snacks for the car ride.
Accessibility
The boat requires stepping down and the pier has uneven surfaces. Please message us for specific accessibility needs.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Things to know
Guest requirements
Guests ages 4 and up can attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Activity level
Light activity - suitable for all fitness levels. You will be seated on the boat for most of the tour.
What to bring
Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera (waterproof bag recommended), light comfortable clothing, and snacks for the car ride.
Accessibility
The boat requires stepping down and the pier has uneven surfaces. Please message us for specific accessibility needs.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Every experience on Bandits is covered by our Bandit Guard protection. If something goes wrong, we'll help make it right.
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Wildlife & Nature vetted for quality
Every experience on Bandits is reviewed by our team to ensure quality, safety, and authenticity. Learn more
Vetted for quality
Every experience on Bandits is reviewed by our team to ensure it meets our quality standards. Learn more