Panama: Monkey Island, Sloth Sanctuary and Panama Canal Tour

Experience a guided ecological tour from Panama City to Monkey Island, the Sloth Sanctuary, Butterfly Farm, and Orchid Nursery, ideal for wildlife and nature enthusiasts.

Highlights

• Feel the breeze while riding through the Panama Canal
• Visit Monkey Island and observe wild monkey species
• See native animals at the Sloth Sanctuary in Gamboa
• Observe over 20 butterfly species at the Butterfly Farm
• Discover native flowers at the Orchid Nursery

Description

Begin your tour with hotel pickup in Panama City, heading out early to encounter monkeys before they are fed by other visitors. Drive for 40 minutes through colonial-style neighborhoods and along the historic Culebra Cut.

Arrive at Lake Gatun’s shores, surrounded by dense rainforest rich in wildlife. Board a boat for a ride along the Chagres River entering Gatun Lake, a biodiversity hotspot where you can spot coatis, howler monkeys, squirrels, sloths, toucans, and parrots.

The boat journey continues along the Panama Canal and into Soberanía National Park en route to the Gamboa Public Docks at the junction of the Chagres River and the canal. Shortly after departure, the boat enters the canal passing the Dredging Division’s facilities toward Monkey Island. Watch for wildlife guided by your captain’s expertise.

On Monkey Island, listen for primate calls and watch monkeys interacting with their environment. Expect curious monkeys to approach and inspect your belongings.

Next, visit the Sloth Sanctuary in Gamboa, set within lush rainforest. Meet knowledgeable staff who share insights about sloth behavior and their ecological role in Panama’s forests.

From the sanctuary, walk to the Orchid Gardens to see native wild species, including Panama’s national flower and miniature orchids. Continue to the Frog Exhibition, home to numerous tropical American frogs.

Your final stop is the Butterfly House, where you can observe endemic butterflies like the Blue Morpho in their natural habitat before returning to Panama City.

Includes

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Panama City
• Bilingual guide
• Boat tour to Monkey Island
• Food for monkeys
• All entrance fees
• Tours of Sloth Sanctuary, Butterfly House, and Orchid & Frog Exhibitions
• Water bottle

Excludes

• Food
• Pickup surcharge of 10 USD per person for hotels outside Panama City, including Costa del Este and Santa Maria
• Additional surcharge for pickups from Tocumen Airport, Playa Bonita (select this option in the cart)

Important Information

• Last-minute bookings require verbal confirmation from the provider; without confirmation, the tour will be scheduled for the following day
• Pickup surcharges apply for hotels outside Panama City, including Tocumen Airport, Playa Bonita, and Costa del Este
• This tour does not visit the Panama Canal locks; the boat tour passes inside the canal where large ships can be viewed
• The tour operates rain or shine

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

For best wildlife sightings, start early in the morning. Bring comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, and a hat. Book in advance to secure your preferred date.