Explore Panama Canal And Gatun Lake With Rainforest Jungle Walk

This was an absolutely awesome tour! We had a fabulous time learning and hanging out with Mike and Fatima! We loved everything about this tour and we highly recommend it! Exactly the experience we wanted while visiting.

I can’t recommend Mike and Panama Experience Tours enough! From start to finish, the experience was outstanding. Mike is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely passionate about showcasing the best of Panama. He went above and beyond to make sure every detail was taken care of, and his local insights made the tour feel authentic and unforgettable. Whether it was exploring hidden gems, learning about Panama’s history and culture, or simply enjoying the breathtaking scenery, every stop exceeded expectations. Mike’s friendly personality and attention to detail made the day enjoyable, relaxed, and personalized. If you’re visiting Panama and want a first-class experience with someone who truly cares about his guests, Panama Experience Tours is the way to go. I would absolutely book with Mike again and highly recommend him to anyone looking for an exceptional tour. 5 stars without hesitation! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Write a review, make someone's trip You've written 52 reviews, shared 0 photos, and gained 16,552 views from travelers around the world. See your achievements. What would you like to review? Your reviews Explore Panama Canal and Gatun Lake with Rainforest Hike Panama City, Panama An Unforgettable Panama Adventure - Ask For Mike! June 2026 My daughter and I had the pleasure of taking this tour with Mike and it was without question one of the highlights of our trip to Panama. From the moment he picked us up until he dropped us off everything was perfect. On the drive to the canal, Mike shared fascinating stories and insights about Panamanian history, culture, politics, and the construction and significance of the Panama Canal, his knowledge is deep, and what makes him an outstanding guide is the passion and enthusiasm he brings to everything he talks about - including photos on his iPad to make the experience even more engaging. The wildlife encounters were unforgettable. During our boat ride through the canal and around the Monkey Islands, we saw 3 different species of monkeys. They even came right into our boat! It was clear Mike had tremendous knowledge of local wildlife, but even more impressive was his respect and kindness towards them. They seemed to know and trust him, and their comfort around him made our encounters even more special. After the boat ride, we hiked the Pipeline Trail in the rainforest, where Mike pointed out native trees, plants, insects, and other details we would never have noticed on our own. We stopped for an authentic Panamanian breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed our conversations throughout our time together. What amazed us was Mike never stopped looking for wildlife. He spotted a sloth up in a tree branch and we were able to get a close-up view - another special moment we never would have experienced without him. We came home with incredible photos and memories. This wasn’t just a tour it was an experience. If you are visiting Panama, you must book this excursion. And if you can, ask for Mike. He is truly exceptional and made out visit unforgettable. Highly HIGHLY recommend!

Exceptional experience! Mike was such a great guide. Just listing all of his knowledge about Panamanian history, buildings and wildlife is amazing, the tours is very well passed, food was amazing and the house hot sauce was great Don't miss out on this tour

Mike was amazing- he adjusted our schedule based on the poring rain! We saw monkeys and sloths and caymans! Everything went really well. Knowledgeable and perfect English. Gave us recommendations for food. Highly recommended!!!

Tour was nice, boat ride was fun. Lunch was not great hence could not give a 5 rating. Mike was very informative and great. The rainforest hike was also great. Overall a good tour except for the lunch.

This is one of the best tours we have ever been on (and we have been on lots!) Mike was so knowledgable and motivated. He had spent considerable time preparing info and images on his iPad, which made such a difference. He clearly is passionate about nature, any question we asked, he could answer and his respect for wildlife really stood out against other tour operators that we witnessed during our trip.

We toured with Mike from Panama experience Tours. It was wonderful! He was organized, very knowledgeable and a lot of fun. We saw 2 different types of monkeys, termite mounds, birds and bats. He also talked about the history of Panama. It was a terrific tour. I would definitely recommend it.

Our group of about 20 had an incredible experience with Mike & his team from Panama Experience Tours! His English is excellent and his knowledge as one of Panama’s top certified guides made the tour unforgettable. We saw amazing wildlife up close — even had monkeys jump right onto the boat! The short hike was easy, really more of a casual stroll, so we’re glad we didn’t skip this experience due to the tour name. The lunch was delicious & his team extreemly professional. What we experienced far exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend this tour!

We had a great time on this trip with Mike. He was really fun and full of a lot of great information. I would recommend this tour to anyone.

Can’t recommend Mike enough! He was an excellent tour guide, polite, friendly, and accommodating with our family of 4, which included two kids (9 year and 12 year old). He is very knowledgeable, was well-prepared, and thought us so much about the history of Panama Canal and the country in general, and our kids listened to him with so much interest! He made a great effort not only to find the monkeys and other animals, but also to describe in detail all the animals we encountered! The tour felt very personal yet professional, and that was really great.

We had a fantastic tour experience! Our tour guide Mike, was great—very knowledgeable, funny, and punctual. He made the entire trip enjoyable and informative. We were lucky enough to see monkeys and a sloth, which made it even more memorable. I highly recommend this tour!

Mike was amazing! He told us so much about the history of Panama, the wildlife, the flora, he's a walking encyclopedia! We took a bus ride to the boat launch, then a boat ride on the canal to navigate around a group of islands. We saw three types of monkeys! Then we got on the bus again and went for early lunch. It was delicious! After that we boarded the bus again and went for an interpretive hike/walk at the Pipeline trail in Gamboa. Mike knows all about the various trees, insects, plants and animals. We were blown away! After the walk we boarded the bus again to go to Flamenco Island (Amadore Causeway). At that point we could decide to stay or be driven back to our hotel It was a wonderful experience and we definitely recommend Mike's Panama experience tour!

Mike brings your coveted tour guide hospitality and expertise, mixed with Panamanian/international jokes/humor, eco political historical knowledge plus storytelling so you can have an adventure in the Panama Canal that works on so many levels. We highly recommend him - he is dedicated to his craft and we are going to have our family see him out on their trip this summer!

Mike our travel guide was excellent. He explained a lot about the canal history. He was able to find monkeys, sloths and other wildlife and plants on our boat ride on the lake and the walk through the rainforest.

Excellent trip and Michael was a wonderful tour guide. It was great going through monkey islands and the pipeline walk ( saw a sloth in action)

Amazing experience! Mike was an incredible guide. We went to Monkey Island and saw several monkeys up close. He knows so much about the canal and the rainforest. Highly recommended!

Mike was incredibly detailed He was on time and took us to Gatun lake and the monkey islands and even included a special Panamanian brunch! He narrated a wonderful private tour for my Dad and I. He even loaned us his binoculars so we could see monkeys and sloths.Then we went to the Gatun locks and 2 visitor centers. We spent an entire day together. Mike is passionate about Panama and answered all of our questions about history, politics and the canal engineering. He was a wonderful guide and we had a memorable day. He even gave us fantastic restaurant recommendations! I cannot recommend him enough! Do yourself a favor and book with Mike!

We had a great time on this tour. We covered a lot of ground (and water) to see many beautiful and interesting parts of Panama. Our guide, Mike, was very knowledgeable and hospitable. We would highly recommend this tour when visiting Panama City.

We were able to see many animals on the Gaytun River cruise. I accidentally left a couple of my shopping bags with products on the tour van and they were kind enough to return it back to my hotel and made several attempts to make sure I received it trying to give it to me directly. I really appreciate that a wonderful group. I highly recommend this tour.

It was a fun trip. Saw lots of monkeys. Our guide was really nice and informative.

Our private tour was informative and very enjoyable. Mike is great tour guide, don’t hesitate to book it.

Jonas was our very knowledgeable guide & Jose was our driver. Both guys did a great job — friendly, gracious & accommodating! The boat ride was fun — saw 3 types of monkeys, a sloth & fruit bats. Then we went to Soberania for a nice hike. We highly recommend this experience.

This was an awesome day with our tour guy Carlos who is an absolutely the best tour guide we have ever had! He picked us from our hotel Las Americas, drove us to the boat, we met millions of monkeys, some of them even jumped on our boat, it was amazing experience. He told us so many details about the animals in the area and the history of the canal! He is so knowledgeable in the history, in biology, animals, their habits, he literally knows everything! He loves what he does and a really great at what he does, for sure. Tour was absolutely the best! Even the weather wasn't the best, it was raining some, but Carlos gave us ponchos, also the boat had a roof. So we were fine. We made a hike, too! And saw more monkeys! Thanks, Carlos! Tatiana and Nikolay, visiting from South Carolina, USA

A fun day with a very knowledgeable guide. Mike was full a great information and history. Boat ride in the Panama Canal was the highlight with lots of animal sightings.

Mike is awesome at telling the stories of Panama! We learned about many things and heard the Panamanian side of history. We couldn’t give higher praises to Mike!

Great mix of wildlife encounters plus Panamanian history. Mike was a great guide and we had a fun introduction to basic local foods.

We really enjoyed this tour. We were able to experience part of the canal and see some great wildlife (monkeys, sloth, bats, birds… we even looked for Capybara). Mike was an amazing and knowledgeable tour guide.

I highly recommend doing this tour with Mike. Not only is he extremely personable but as a native Panamanian, he is very knowledgeable and a great storyteller— we learned so much from him! The half-day tour was a great way to see the canal, animals (loved the monkeys), and the rainforest in a short amount of time.

I knew when he mentioned Noriega's CIA connection that this was going to be the real deal. Mike and team run a great show-- a good way to see the canal and its animal residents. You'll come for the monkeys and stay for the history lesson!

Mike picked us up on time at our hotel and took us to Gatun lake where we boarded a small boat to go to monkey island. We got to see tamarin and Capuchin monkeys and howler monkeys and took some great photos. Then we went to the new Gatun lake visitor's center in Colon to see the Atlantic side of the Panama canal. We had already done a southbound Panama canal tour a few days before but it was great to see it from the "outside" view. It was a long drive but very nice. The brunch was fresh fruit which was sweet and fried dough and yuca. On the way back, we stopped roadside to see a mother sloth with baby that Mike had spotted on the way there!

It was excellent tour! Our guide Mickle was very knowledgeable about history of Panama, about nature and he tried to show us the best of everything. He is also passionate,sharing fascinating history and insights in every stop. It was unforgettable experience, and we highly recommend Mike and the tour. Inessa

This was the perfect experience if you want a blend of excitement and education but do not want to spend 1/2 day commuting to and from. Mike, the transport driver and boat driver were amazing. Mike spoke very good English and shared insights about the history and land as we drove between the excursions. He had a great sense of humor and was very engaging. He even helped us track down son’s special Panamanian Chocolates before the day was over. The meal was delicious and filing, which says alot because my family are all picky eaters. While on the boat on the Panama Canal we ran into done choppy waters but the driver navigated them with ease. The hike thru the rainforest was manageable and just enough to take in the tranquil setting before heading back to our drop off point.

We had an excellent tour of Lake Gatún and the rainforest and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely authentic, which made the trip both fun and informative. We learned so much about Panama’s history, wildlife, and culture without it ever feeling scripted. The included brunch with traditional Panamanian food was a wonderful bonus and absolutely delicious. This tour was a highlight of our time in Panama, and we highly recommend it.

Well worth the money. It was a truly fun, educational, and enriching experience that exceeded our expectations. Everything was well organized, enjoyable from beginning to end, and it created wonderful memories that we will always remember and cherish.

Great experience for couples or families, offering the perfect balance of fun, safety, and learning. The tour was very informative, well organized, and enjoyable for all ages, making it a memorable activity to share together.

Well worth the money, offering excellent value for such a fun and educational experience. Everything was well organized, informative, and enjoyable, creating lasting memories that we will always remember and truly appreciate.

Mike is a fantastic guide who truly knows Panama in depth and explains everything clearly and engagingly. His knowledge, passion, and friendly approach made the tour more interesting, enjoyable, and easy to understand for everyone.

Very enjoyable tour with stunning views of Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal, offering beautiful scenery at every moment. The experience was relaxing, well organized, and truly memorable for anyone who enjoys nature and history.

The tour was fun and engaging from beginning to end. We learned a lot about Panama’s history and culture while enjoying beautiful natural surroundings, making the experience both educational and relaxing at the same time.

The monkeys were absolutely incredible to watch in their natural habitat, and the boat ride on Gatun Lake was truly beautiful, calm, and relaxing. The surrounding scenery was stunning, making the entire experience feel unique and special. It was a memorable adventure from start to finish and is highly recommended for anyone visiting the area

We loved how personal and well-organized the tour felt from start to finish. Mike made sure everyone was comfortable, engaged, and enjoying themselves at all times, which created a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and made the experience even more memorable.

Excellent guide and an excellent tour from start to finish. Mike answered all our questions patiently and shared a great amount of local knowledge, interesting facts, and insights that made the experience even more enjoyable and informative.

Mike was a great guide and he brought a driver who could focus on the road while Mike was able to give us detailed information on Panama and its culture. He answered all the questions we had about the canal, Panamanian, and their history. Mike's English is excellent and he happens to know a lot about the flora and fauna of Panama. We loved that as a couple we had a private tour and it did not feel rushed or lacking because there were only the two of us on the tour. We saw several mammalian species: Agoutis, Coatis, Sloths, Capuchins, Howlers, and Tamarinds. We also saw several birds, leaf cutter ants and even a croc. Scooting around the lake and seeing the giant freighters up close in the water was pretty cool. Overall, the tour was not too long and not too short. The mix of information was great, as there was not too much to retain. The topics varied and our questions answered readily. One last plus: the tour can be tailored for people with a bad knee or back.

The combination of Monkey Island and the Agua Clara Locks is absolutely perfect, offering a well-balanced experience that is both educational and fun. Learning about the canal while enjoying nature made the tour truly memorable.

This was one of the best tours we did in Panama, combining fun and learning in a perfect way. It was informative, enjoyable, and very well organized from start to finish, making the entire experience smooth, memorable, and highly recommended.”

Everything was well organized and never felt rushed at any point. We truly enjoyed the relaxed pace of the tour, which gave us enough time to enjoy each location, take photos, ask questions, and fully appreciate the overall experience.

Mike made the tour fun and engaging from start to finish, sharing lots of interesting facts about Panama, its history, culture, and natural beauty. His enthusiasm and knowledge really enhanced the experience and kept everyone interested throughout the tour.

We felt very safe during the entire tour, as everything was well organized and professionally handled. The boat and all the safety equipment were in excellent condition, which gave us great peace of mind and allowed us to fully enjoy the experience.