Gatun Lake
Gatun Lake
4.5
About
After Lake Mead, this is the world's largest man-made lake that forms the central part of the Panama Canal.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,086 reviews
Excellent
639
Very good
350
Average
84
Poor
11
Terrible
2
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN7,604 contributions
Oct 2021
Gatun Lake was created by the flooding of the area by the Chagres River during the construction of the Panama Canal and is where ships traverse after going through the locks at each end of the Canal. There are many tour operators that offer trips to Gatun Lake and Monkey Island. I had a good experience with Safe Transportation and their Monkey Island and Panama Canal Eco Tour. I had a terrific guide who was very knowledgeable and was a great communicator. On the 4-hour tour, we stopped along the canal at the Pedro Miguel Locks and then continued to Gatun Lake on a speedboat. In addition to seeing the wildlife on Monkey Island, this is also an opportunity to get close to several container ships as they make their way between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
On the way to Gatun Lake, we made a brief stop at the Pedro Miguel Locks for some viewing of ships as they navigate the canal. After hopping on a small speedboat, we headed out on Gatun Lake and to Monkey Island. Our guide knew several spots to find the monkeys and we had a couple different species including the white-faced capuchin monkeys climbing onto our boat enjoying taking the food that we offered from our hands. We additionally saw and heard some howler monkeys and spotted a crocodile. Getting close up to the huge container ships in the lake was pretty cool as well. 4 hours was plenty of time needed to enjoy this experience.
On the way to Gatun Lake, we made a brief stop at the Pedro Miguel Locks for some viewing of ships as they navigate the canal. After hopping on a small speedboat, we headed out on Gatun Lake and to Monkey Island. Our guide knew several spots to find the monkeys and we had a couple different species including the white-faced capuchin monkeys climbing onto our boat enjoying taking the food that we offered from our hands. We additionally saw and heard some howler monkeys and spotted a crocodile. Getting close up to the huge container ships in the lake was pretty cool as well. 4 hours was plenty of time needed to enjoy this experience.
Written May 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna M
Encinitas, CA571 contributions
Feb 2020
Lake Gatun was full of surprises at every turn of the tour boat we were on. We saw so much wildlife! I spotted a manatee! There were so many birds. We also saw a few lodeges along the shore. It would be a great place to stay.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NieSam
Maine960 contributions
Feb 2020
It was incredible trying to count all the ships in the lake crossing the Panama Canal. They were lined up everywhere. We were also able to see the dam creating the lake. Frigate birds were abundant and gorgeous to watch.
We spent time here watching other vessels enter and work their way through the locks. Seeing the tugs line up the ships was interesting.
We spent time here watching other vessels enter and work their way through the locks. Seeing the tugs line up the ships was interesting.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gomezrue
Bogota, Colombia6 contributions
Jan 2020
I went on a three-hour fishing trip to the lake. And actually caught some fish. The lush lakeside environment is nice to experience, and then to hear the howler monkeys!! The best part is boating next to the big ships that are heading either East or West. I'm glad I went
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ontario76
Sherwood Park, Canada1,094 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We went over part of the lake on the way to the western part of the canal. This was a group tour. Not much wildlife seen in that brief part. We got into the boat more than halfway over the lake and made no special tours of any islands or such. If you want to see wildlife, the brief bit during the route to the western canal transit won't satisfy. You'll have to go to a more dedicated lake tour.
Written September 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
betteskid
Boston, MA1,329 contributions
Mar 2023
We took a boat ride on Gatun Lake while we were in Panama City. I don't remember the company, but there are several. The lake is beautiful and there are opportunities to see the large ships in the Panama Canal as the Lake is a major part of the canal. We were even fortunate to see one ship that we later saw going through the locks at Miraflores. The Lake was a very pleasant place to visit and it was a great way to experience the canal.
Written May 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue M
Williamsburg, VA1,538 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We sailed Gatun Lake as part of our Panama Canal cruise on Viking. An enormous man-made lake that provides the fresh water used in the Panama Canal locks. Beautiful area of the Canal transit.
Written January 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
orrdin
New York975 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
The lake is large and pretty. All the tour promotions suggest a wide array of wildlife is present there. The reality is that yes there’s monkeys and a few bird species and supposedly some caimans but they are not abundant or easy to find. Even the monkeys that are supposed to come eat food from your boat didn’t come. So yes we had fun in the tour but we were also a bit disappointed. We expected more.
Written December 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happiness9657
Virginia Beach1 contribution
You have not caught a bass until you catch a PEACOCK BASS, your live minnow will not hit the bottom before you get a strike. eight of us caught 173 bass in 3.5 hours. largest 8 lbs most were 2 to 4 lb range. less then 2 lbs we through it back. our guide took us to three of his honey holes and they swam by in schools of 50 or more at a time. we paid $20.00 ea, giude provided everything, boats, (400 minnows) poles. his family even cleaned them for us. he made a little extra at his beer stand while we waited for our cleaned fish. they are the hardest fighting bass you will ever catch. when they hit you will think each one is 5 lbs. wish I had a picture to share.
Written December 20, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruddiger77
52 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
If planning on seeing the Gatun Lake and some of the ecological items such as wildlife, this tour is a must. It's awesome to see how this lake was created. You won't see any locks but, that's a different tour all in together.
We rented a car and drove to the Gamboa Public dock just prior to the Gamboa Rainforest resort, on the right side prior to the one way bridge. We don't like overpaying for tour companies so like to explore on our own. We tried our luck and showed up at the dock hoping to find a private boat to tour us for an hour or so.
We were totally in luck and found a gentleman named Rodrigues. He took 4 adults and 5 kids (4 of the kids were 5 years and under) on board his boat and toured us through the lake alongside large ships transiting the canal.
We saw a baby crocodile, 2 different types of monkeys who we fed and lots of greenery. Rodrigues is an expert as most of the other boats were unable to call the monkeys however he tied his boat to a tree and went into the bush and found many monkeys to come out of the bush to be fed by us. The tour was amazing and not over priced like all the other tour companies. We paid $120 US for 9 people and gave him an extra $20. Our parents went the next day and did same tour for $50 for 2 people so average $25 per adult.
Rent a car, take a local cab or uber and show up at the dock someone will take you out or just ask for Rodrigues, this place is safe we did it with young kids. See pictures attached of him and his boat.
Good luck!
We rented a car and drove to the Gamboa Public dock just prior to the Gamboa Rainforest resort, on the right side prior to the one way bridge. We don't like overpaying for tour companies so like to explore on our own. We tried our luck and showed up at the dock hoping to find a private boat to tour us for an hour or so.
We were totally in luck and found a gentleman named Rodrigues. He took 4 adults and 5 kids (4 of the kids were 5 years and under) on board his boat and toured us through the lake alongside large ships transiting the canal.
We saw a baby crocodile, 2 different types of monkeys who we fed and lots of greenery. Rodrigues is an expert as most of the other boats were unable to call the monkeys however he tied his boat to a tree and went into the bush and found many monkeys to come out of the bush to be fed by us. The tour was amazing and not over priced like all the other tour companies. We paid $120 US for 9 people and gave him an extra $20. Our parents went the next day and did same tour for $50 for 2 people so average $25 per adult.
Rent a car, take a local cab or uber and show up at the dock someone will take you out or just ask for Rodrigues, this place is safe we did it with young kids. See pictures attached of him and his boat.
Good luck!
Written July 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anu M
Arlington, Virginia
Hello, we loved to read about your small boat ride to experience the lake, the rainforest, the village. Can you please tell me the name of the tour operator for this experience.
Written August 24, 2022
Hi! Do you know if there are boat rides available on location or do we have to book in advance?
Written February 15, 2022
Bonjour, pvero17. Que voudriez-vous savoir sur cette attraction ? Bonjour, avez-vous fait cette excursion par le biais de l'hôtel ou par vos propres moyens en allant directement à la marina ? Le guide était français ? Nous partons dans 10 jours et je tente de trouver des excursions sympas sans passer par l'hôtel car hors de prix .
Written July 7, 2019
Hi. Can anyone tell me if the speed boat ride is bumpy or not ? My mom has a bad back and I’d like to estimate if it could hurt her. Thanks !
Written November 9, 2017
The ride will be bumpy depending on three factors, type of boat (unless its a pontoon boat as Dennis at Arenosa has it will doubtless be a flat low "Jonboat"), speed (can be controlled) and waves -which are a function strictly of wind on Gatun.... so go early, go when its not windy and go slow - and Mom will have a great day!
Written November 18, 2017
Hello
I am arriving with my family on August 2 to the ninth. I am interested in a fishing trip through the mangroves. Could you tell me the cost per person from the Westin Playa Bonita? Two adults + two boys 17 and 14. Interested in fishing the Panama Canal.
Written May 19, 2017
watch out for gators. the fishing is good there, even bank fishing. I know of no tours that book that, but I used a lot of Uber and hooked up with a few enterprising drivers who worked on their own an was able to book some interesting private tours for cash. also, Uber is the best way to get around and the cheapest. download the app so you'll be ready. FYI. I spent 4 months there and did the canal 3 times. also, hot, hot. in our winter.
Written May 21, 2017
Hello,
Can you tell me who you toured and fished with? The operators that I have found are VERY expensive.
Thanks for your help.
Robert
Written April 5, 2017
Jungle Panama! Great company and very. Ice people!
Written April 8, 2017
Good Morning .... Are there any Catamaran Sunset Cruises in Panama ?Thanks
Written November 13, 2016
Hola amigo! Me gustarĂa saber sobre el Hotel Meliá (condiciones y servicios), seguridad en ColĂłn y costo de taxis. Agradezco su respuesta (mariozam24@gma...).
Written July 25, 2016
Le lac Gatun n'est pas le plus grand lac artificiel au monde.
C'est le lac Volta le plus grand en Ghana 8482 kil. carrés.
Le lac Gatun 422 kil. carrés.
Il est en 106e position.
Il ne faut pas induire les gens en erreur.
Written June 8, 2016
Are there a lot of mosquitoes at Gatun lake?
Written February 3, 2016
Thousands died from malaria and other mosquito-related illnesses in the construction of the Panama Canal, so yes, there are mosquitoes and travellers should be innoculated if doing into the jungle or in waterlogged wetlands areas.
Written November 10, 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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