Private Panama City Tour: Canal, Old Town, Amador & 360° Views

See the canal operate, walk colonial streets, and watch ships turn at the causeway: all in one guided afternoon.

A private city tour of Panama with a professional guide authorized by the Panama Tourism Authority, covering the Miraflores Locks, Casco Viejo, Amador Causeway, and a 360° city viewpoint over five to six hours. The tour is flexible. You set the pace and choose optional stops like the seafood market or craft vendors. Pickup is available from downtown hotels, the Westin and Dreams hotels, the airport area, or Puerto de Amador.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Miraflores Locks2h
2. Casco Viejo1h
3. Plaza de Francia15m
4. Amador Causeway30m

Panama City private tour highlights

• Visit Miraflores Locks and watch ships
• Watch IMAX film about the canal
• Explore Casco Viejo colonial area
• See the largest cathedral in Panama
• Pass through main city avenue
• Pass by seafood market, optional ceviche stop
• Visit Plaza de Francia historic square
• Shop at national craft market
• Visit Amador Causeway and see canal entrance
• Optional stop at duty free store
• Visit City Square (Independence Square)
• Enjoy 360° views and activities at Poin

The experience

The tour starts at the Miraflores Locks, where you watch ships pass through in real time. The guide times your arrival so you catch the transit, and you can also watch the IMAX film narrated by Morgan Freeman if you want the engineering context. From there you move into Casco Viejo, the old town founded in 1673 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the guide walks you through the colonial streets and explains the history. It was rebuilt after pirate Henry Morgan destroyed the first settlement in 1671. The professional guide is authorized by the Panama Tourism Authority, so the detail matters more than a standard tour operator.

The route then takes you to a 360° viewpoint where you can photograph the city skyline and the canal entrance. This stop is where many travelers spend time on the photos alone, and it's the vantage most visitors don't find on their own. You'll pass the largest cathedral in Panama, one of the city's main avenues, and Plaza de Francia: a square built to honor the French contribution to the canal's construction. The seafood market is an optional stop if you want to try ceviche, and the national craft market is included so you can buy souvenirs directly from local artisans.

The final major stop is Amador Causeway, the strip of land at the canal's entrance where you can watch container ships make their turn toward the Caribbean. Amador was one of the first bases returned to Panama after the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, and it's become a landmark for both its history and its location. The tour wraps with a pass by the city square (Independence Square) and an optional stop at the duty-free store if you ask. Private transportation, WiFi on board, bottled water, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation and an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a professional guide authorized by the Panama Tourism Authority.
• WiFi on board.
• bottled water.
• optional stops at the seafood market and craft vendors.
• passage through Casco Viejo, past the cathedral, along the main avenue, and through Plaza de Francia.
• views of the Miraflores Locks and Amador Causeway.

Options for this experience

4 options

From downtown hotelsGuide in English or Spanish · 7 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 14:00Private tour: this 100% private tour involves only your group, collected from hotels in the city center. Includes pickup

Private from the Westin and DreamsGuide in English or Spanish · 6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 14:00Private: this tour is entirely private, with pickup at the Westin and Dreams Hotels (Bonita Veracruz Beach). Pickup is included

Private tour departing from Puerto de AmadorGuide in English or Spanish · 7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00Pickup at the Cruise Terminal: private tour in which only your group takes part, with pickup at the Cruise Terminal of Amador Panama City. Pickup is included

Tour departing from the airport areaGuide in English or Spanish · 8 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 13:30Private tour; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 27

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jose angel espinosa

Is this one for you?Your guide navigates the route while you set the pace at Panama City's four essential sites (the Canal locks, Old Town, Amador Causeway, and the 360° viewpoint) with time to explore each one as you wish.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens at the Miraflores Locks on this tour?

The Miraflores Locks is where you watch ships pass through live. The guide times your arrival to catch an active transit so you see the operation in action. An IMAX film narrated by Morgan Freeman is also available at the visitor center if you want to understand the engineering behind it.

Can I stop at the seafood market or the craft vendors?

Yes, both are optional stops you can request. The seafood market is a pass-by where you can ask to stop and try ceviche, and the national craft market is included on the route so you can buy souvenirs directly from local artisans.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup depends on which option you choose at checkout: from downtown hotels, the Westin and Dreams hotels, the airport area, or Puerto de Amador. The guide will confirm the exact pickup time and location when you book.

How long is the tour and what's included?

The tour runs five to six hours and includes private transportation, a professional guide, WiFi on board, bottled water, and an air-conditioned vehicle. Entry to the Miraflores visitor center and the 360° viewpoint (Poin) are not included in the base tour price.

What is Amador Causeway and why is it on the tour?

Amador Causeway is the strip of land at the canal's entrance where you can watch container ships make their turn toward the Caribbean. It's one of Panama's most famous tourist spots for its location, history, and views. It was returned to Panama after the Torrijos-Carter Treaties and sits at the gateway to the canal.