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Ship in the Panama Canal

Panama Canal Cruises & Tours

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Cruise through the Panama Canal with Adventure Life. It's one of the most important waterways in the world and one of mankind's most impressive feats of engineering, cutting across the isthmus of Panama and connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans - a vital pathway for international trade. Originally, it was built in the early 20th century and officially opened in 1914 for commercial trade, but more than a century later, this intricate canal of locks and levies is open to cruise vessels as well, allowing adventurous travelers to witness this man-made marvel and experience the best that Panama has to offer. We offer a number of half-day and day-long add-on itineraries and also feature several cruises aboard luxurious Panama Canal small ships. Contact us when you're ready to start planning your trip to Panama!
Panama Cruises

9 Best Panama Canal Cruises for 2024-2025

Panama Cruises
Keel-billed Toucan

Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys

Colon to Puerto Caldera
8 Days from $6,054
This magnificent 8-day voyage onboard Le Bellot explores Panama and Costa Rica's vast natural splendors. Among the highlights of this trip are crossing the Panama Canal, exploring the beautiful Darién National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park, and meeting the native Kuna and Emberá people.
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Trekking through Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica & the Panama Canal

8 Days from $6,601
Discover Costa Rica & Panama on this wonderful 8-day expedition cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest. Venture into remote wilderness: hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, explore idyllic islands, snorkel over a vibrant coral reef, and take an expedition landing craft cruise through mangroves.
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San Blas

Secrets of Central America

Colon - Puntarenas
11 Days from $7,090
Embark on an 11-day expedition cruise from Colon to Puntarenas aboard the Le Bellot. Journey around the isthmus of Panama, a biodiversity hotspot connecting two continents. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, discover stunning islands, nature reserves, and fascinating local communities.
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Panama City's Bridge of the Americas

Once through the Panama Canal

Panama to Costa RIca
11 Days from $11,675
Embark on an 11-day cruise through the Panama Canal, exploring its historic locks, rainforests, and tranquil beaches. njoy the amazing wildlife at Manuel Antonio National Park, where you'll spot sloths, howler monkeys, and hummingbirds by the sea.
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Boats Moored to the Quay at Bridgetown Harbour

Barbados to Panama

Bridgetown to Balboa
15 Days from $4,440
Starting at the Caribbean port of Bridgetown, this 15-day cruise aboard the Royal Clipper sails through the turquoise Caribbean waters en route to the Panama Canal, visiting Grenada, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, and Colombia along the way. Explore the tropical jungles, snorkel in vibrant reefs, immerse yourself in tribal culture, and marvel at the Panama Canal.
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Crossing a stream on Osa Peninsula

Costa Rica & Panama Canal

Costa Rica - Colombia
12 Days from $11,295
Embark on a 12-day Costa Rica & Panama Canal Cruise with travel photographer Richard I'Anson. Explore Costa Rica's rainforests, and Panama's coral reefs, connect with the Emberá tribe, and delve into Panama Canal's history.
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Gatun Lock of the Panama Canal

Panama to Antigua

15 Days from $4,440
Starting in Balboa, Panama, sail through warm Caribbean waters as you make your way to the Antigua aboard the Royal Clipper. Over the course of 15 days visit Grenada, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, and Colombia before arriving in Panama.
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Zapatilla Cay, Panama

Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

Panama City to Cartagena
8 Days from $6,290
Discover an astonishing trove of natural and cultural treasures as you navigate the Caribbean coasts of Panama and Colombia on this 8-day cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest. Sail from Panama City to Cartagena, with stops in Portobelo, Guna Yala, San Bernardo Archipelago, and more.
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Boats Moored to the Quay at Bridgetown Harbour

Barbados to Panama Christmas Cruise

Bridgetown to Balboa
15 Days from $3,540
Starting at the Caribbean port of Bridgetown, this 15-day cruise aboard the Star Clipper sails through the turquoise Caribbean waters en route to the Panama Canal, visiting Tobago Cays, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, and Colombia along the way. Explore the tropical jungles, snorkel in vibrant reefs, Experience tribal culture, and the Panama Canal.
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All Panama Tours

Top 4 Day Tours & Short Panama Canal Trips for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Panama Canal Full Transit$3621Jun 15, 2024This Panama City one-day tour takes you on the incredible journey from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Pacific Ocean, traversing two impressive …
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Panama Canal Partial Transit$285½Jun 16, 2024Climb aboard and experience the "Eighth Wonder of the World" first hand as you transit through the Miraflores Locks to the Pacific Ocean.
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Explore Panama City$297½Jun 11, 2024Tour Panama City with a local guide, well versed in the history of the area. See a transit of the Panama canal and tour Casco Antiguo where the …
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Fort San Lorenzo and Canal Railway$3971Jun 10, 2024Visit this UNESCO World Heritage site with your local guide. Tour the fort, invaded by pirate Captain Morgan, and learn about this historic structure.
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All Panama Tours

10 Best Active Adventure Cruises of Panama and the Canal for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Discover Panama$30198Jun 16, 2024This 8-day hotel-based tour of Panama takes you from metropolitan Panama City, through the lowland tropical forest of Soberania National Park, …
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Panama Canal Full Transit$3621Jun 15, 2024This Panama City one-day tour takes you on the incredible journey from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Pacific Ocean, traversing two impressive …
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Panama Canal Partial Transit$285½Jun 16, 2024Climb aboard and experience the "Eighth Wonder of the World" first hand as you transit through the Miraflores Locks to the Pacific Ocean.
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Explore Panama City$297½Jun 11, 2024Tour Panama City with a local guide, well versed in the history of the area. See a transit of the Panama canal and tour Casco Antiguo where the …
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Fort San Lorenzo and Canal Railway$3971Jun 10, 2024Visit this UNESCO World Heritage site with your local guide. Tour the fort, invaded by pirate Captain Morgan, and learn about this historic structure.
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Encounter Panama$18487Jun 12, 2024Begin your Panama journey at the manmade marvel, the Panama Canal, and continue your travels into the region's tropical forests, visiting an …
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Caribbean Adventure$35239Jun 10, 2024Experience the Caribbean from Costa Rica to Panama on this 9-day land-based adventure tour. Whitewater rafting and rainforest exploration along Costa …
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Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys$60548Jan 6, 2025This magnificent 8-day voyage onboard Le Bellot explores Panama and Costa Rica's vast natural splendors. Among the highlights of this trip are …
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Costa Rica & the Panama Canal$66018Nov 23, 2024Discover Costa Rica & Panama on this wonderful 8-day expedition cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest. Venture into remote wilderness: hike …
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Secrets of Central America$709011Feb 3, 2025Embark on an 11-day expedition cruise from Colon to Puntarenas aboard the Le Bellot. Journey around the isthmus of Panama, a biodiversity hotspot …
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All Panama Canal Articles

Panama Canal Travel Guide

Ship in the Panama Canal

Top Highlights of the Panama Canal

Explore the top highlights of the Panama Canal and discover its fascinating history and engineering marvels.
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Panama Canal Travel Guide 
The Panama Canal, one of humanity's greatest feats of engineering and tenacity, connects the Atlantic to the Pacific, creating one of the most important international maritime trade routes in the world. In addition to being an important commercial waterway, it provides an excellent way for vacationers to experience the best of all of the tropics.

Activities: 
  • Snorkeling & diving
  • Sea kayaking
  • Hiking through jungles
  • Meeting indigenous communities
  • Learing about the human history that has impacted this small Central American country
  • Exploring national parks
  • Crossing through the intricate locks of the Panama Canal!
Other destinations from the Panama Canal:
In addition to the jungles and beaches of Panama, most cruises also feature several days in Costa Rica, the Caribbean, or both!
Gatun Lock of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal

When one thinks of Panama, the famous canal is probably the first thing that comes to mind. For travelers, visiting the Panama Canal is a highlight that should be included on any trip to this country. If your interest is peaked, here is a brief history and some interesting facts about the this engineering wonder of the world.
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Some beach time

Panama Travel Info

Panama is probably best know around the world for its canal - one of the greatest engineering marvels ever built. While this is definitely something to see while visiting the country, there is so much more to experience. Panama boasts white sand beaches along the Caribbean, beautiful mountainous landscapes, modern urban areas, and wildlife galore!
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Sloth sanctuary

Panama FAQs

Have your trip to Panama booked? Now what? From the best time to visit to what the food will be like, this FAQ gives travelers more of an idea of what to expect on a trip to Panama. We have answered some of the most common traveler questions in hopes of helping you feel better prepared for the adventure.
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Blue water and lush rain forest in Panama

Best Time to Travel to Panama

Bottom Line: The best time to visit Panama is between February and April, when there is the least amount of rain and the hottest, sunniest temperatures. Value seekers might be willing to travel during the wetter months for a better deal.
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Starfish on the beach

Top Places to Visit on a Panama Cruise

The Pearl Islands, the San Blas Islands, and Coiba National Park are some of the many incredible places that a Panama cruise has to offer. These places will show you both the exotic tropical scenery and wildlife of the country.
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Watching ships pass through the Panama Canal

Panama Canal Cruise: Large vs. Small Cruise Ships

The size of your ship matters more than you would think. With a small ship you have the advantage of accessing smaller ports, beaches, locks, and canals. Additionally, generally, small ship cruises are less expensive than large ship cruises. But larger cruises have some advantages as well. Read this article to figure out what they are!
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TrustScore 4.9 | 209 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
total score
Based on 209 reviews on
review score
7 hours ago
I have travelled with Adventure Life previously and certainly eager to do it again. Kassandra made excellent and honest suggestions while taking the time to understand what was important to us.
Susan
review score
1 day ago
They answered every question and concern that I had and put me at ease. Very excited for this once in a life-time trip.
Customer Tim
review score
2 days ago
I am a returning client to Adventure Life and am very pleased with their commitment to put together a great trip. Clara replied and clarified to any and all questions we had.
Claire Palmer
review score
4 days ago
Jessica was very responsive to my questions and never balked when I asked her to go back and find more options. She really worked hard to find the right cruise for us.
Amy Siegel
review score
4 days ago
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
Gregg Chamberlain

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