A Half-Day City & Panama Canal Tour in Panama City

Are you planning a trip to Panama City and curious what you can do in only half a day? Look no further than the amazing Panama City half day city and canal tour. This is one of the most popular and iconic tourist experiences in the city and it is not difficult to understand why. From the rolling harbor filled with countless boats to the fascinating feats of engineering accomplished during the construction of the Panama Canal, it’s no wonder why tourists are so eager to explore the city and canal together.

In this guide, we’ll discuss what you can find on the tour, how to get there, and some of our personal thoughts on the whole experience. So don’t wait – if you’re heading to Panama City soon let’s take a look at a half-day city and canal tour of Panama City

What You Will Find On the Tour

The Panama City half-day city and canal tour is all contained within a single day from 9AM-1PM or from 1PM-5PM, enough time for you to explore all the attractions without feeling rushed. We’ll run through some of the most noteworthy locations and experiences you can catch on the tour:

The Panama Canal

The first stop on the tour is very iconic: the Panama Canal. Straddling the entire continent of South America, it’s amazing to simply stand back and appreciate this feat of engineering. Installed in 1914 and connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean in a single waterway, it’s world-renowned for its fantastic trade and leisure uses. Many people will like to stop at Miraflores Locks where you can take in the passage of huge cruise liners as they pass through. Even better, it’s here that you’ll be able to get some great picture opportunities.

Casco Viejo

Next up is Casco Viejo – one of the most popular tourist spots in Panama City. This old quarter is filled with so much life, culture and interesting sights that pick up better and better as you explore further into its winding streets. As well as spectacular colonial-era buildings you’ll also find some fascinating hustle and bustle in the form of street markets and restaurants – great for photos.

Biodiversity Museum

Next up! The Biomuseum faces Amador Causeway – a scenic bridge that links four parks all located on four separate islands: Perico, Flamenco, Naos, and Culebra. The permant exhibitions consist of several parts with each one featuring a unique selection of photographs, videos and interactive displays showcasing the ecological history of Panama. The majority of the displays explore human’s complex relationship with the natural world and include interactive elements such as touchable specimens and virtual reality experiences.

Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood Market)

Last but not least on your tour – Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood Market). Here, you’ll find a bustling hub of stalls offering up fresh catches from the local waters – from crabs, to conch and fresh jumbo shrimp – all brought in daily from local fishermen. You can grab take-away dishes to your heart’s content but for a truly special experience, stay for lunch and try one of the many prepared dishes – a favorite way to experience a local market.

What You Need To Know Before Booking

There are a few things to bear in mind before booking a half-day tour in Panama City:

The Cost

The cost of each tour varies depending on which company you book with. Prices range anywhere between $30-60 USD per person – much depending on which attractions you include in your itinerary.

Transportation

Another thing to bear in mind when taking a tour of this length is transportation – luckily, most companies have that sorted out for you as it usually includes transportation from your hotel/hostel/AirBnB. Just make sure to double check when booking.

Booking In Advance

As this is such a popular experience for tourists, it’s always best to book your tour well in advance during peak times (particularly public holidays). This will secure you a spot on the tour as well as save you time waiting around either at your hotel or near the attractions while trying to book.

Our Thoughts On Taking a Half-Day City & Canal Tour in Panama City

Throughout our own trips to Panama City, we’ve gone on this tour twice ourselves and we must accredit them for its worthiness in representing the city in such a concise itinerary. It has always been great fun for us whether it’s been visiting local markets for some fresh seafood or exploring colonial-era buildings and historic sites. For anyone visiting for a short period of time as this is full of one-of-a-kind memories, you really can’t go wrong with a half-day city & canal tour of Panama City.

If all this sounds like something you’d be interested in then don’t wait – click here to book your own adventure now!