An aerial view of a vibrant green forest meeting a rocky coastline with turquoise ocean waves crashing.

An aerial view of the Panama Canal, showing a ship in locks surrounded by green land and red-roofed buildings.

An aerial view of a small white sand beach with a white canopy and a boat in clear turquoise water.

An underwater scene with a red and white starfish on a rock, fish schooling, and divers in the deep blue background.

A sunny bay with calm turquoise water, sailboats, and a lush green coastline with ruins and a palm tree in the foreground.

Panama Cruises

Q: Can cruise ships go through the Panama Canal?

Yes, both large and small cruise ships regularly transit the Panama Canal. Expedition cruises often combine the canal transit with visits to remote islands, indigenous villages, and wildlife-rich reserves for a diverse experience.

Q: Are Panama Canal cruises worth it?

Absolutely. Cruising the Panama Canal is a bucket-list experience, combining a marvel of engineering with fascinating history and lush scenery. Many cruises also include time exploring Panama’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Q: How long does it take to cruise the Panama Canal?

A full canal transit typically takes 8–10 hours, including passage through the locks and Gatun Lake. Partial transits, visiting only part of the canal, are also available and take less time.

Q: Do your Panama cruises only visit the Panama Canal?

No, all our Panama cruises include additional destinations such as the Pearl Islands, Coiba National Park, the Darién jungle, and historic towns like Portobelo, offering a well-rounded exploration of the country’s nature and culture. NOte some do not transit the Panama Canal.

Q: When is the best time to cruise Panama and its canal?

The dry season (December–April) is the most popular for canal transits and coastal cruising, with less rain and pleasant temperatures. The green season (May–November) is quieter, with lush scenery but occasional showers.

Q: What should I pack for a Panama cruise?

Bring lightweight, breathable clothing, a rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, sun protection, insect repellent, and a hat. Binoculars and a camera are useful for wildlife and canal views.

Panama’s Pacific coast teems with adventure: watch humpback whales breach, hike lush rainforests, snorkel crystal-clear waters and visit remote Emberá villages where tradition and nature thrive side by side.

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Panama Canal

Marvel at the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal, where ships glide between oceans through lush rainforest and historic locks—a thrilling passage linking continents and cultures in a single, unforgettable day.

Pearl Islands

Scattered across turquoise seas, the Pearl Islands dazzle with white-sand beaches, untouched forests, and vibrant coral reefs—an idyllic archipelago once famed for its bountiful pearls and pirate legends.

Coiba Island & Granito de Oro

Dive into the wilds of Coiba, a UNESCO marine reserve teeming with exotic fish, turtles, and dazzling coral gardens. Granito de Oro’s golden sands and crystal waters are a snorkeler’s dream.

Gulf of Chiriquí & Islas Secas

Explore the secluded isles of the Gulf of Chiriquí, where jungle-fringed beaches and coral reefs beckon. Islas Secas offers pristine waters, abundant marine life, and endless blue horizons.

Darién Jungle & Emberá Villages

Venture deep into the Darién, Panama’s wild frontier, to meet the Emberá people and discover a world of tangled rainforest, rare wildlife, and living indigenous traditions.

Gatun Lake & Barro Colorado

Cruise through Gatun Lake, a lush artificial reservoir alive with monkeys, sloths, and toucans. Stop at Barro Colorado, a hub for tropical research and wildlife encounters.

Portobelo

Step into the storied past of Portobelo, a UNESCO-listed town where Spanish forts guard the bay and tales of pirates echo through colorful colonial streets.

Why Cruise Panama?

Panama cruises invite you to experience a crossroads of continents, where engineering marvels and wild beauty meet. Transit the legendary Panama Canal, a feat of human ingenuity, then slip away to the Pearl Islands’ turquoise waters, jungle-clad coasts, and vibrant indigenous cultures.

The best Panama cruises reveal the country’s rich diversity. Watch ships rise and fall in the canal’s mighty locks, snorkel among coral reefs in Coiba National Park, or venture deep into the Darién jungle to meet Emberá villagers and spot rare wildlife. What will you discover on your Panama cruise?

Highlights

Spot sloths, monkeys, and toucans in lush rainforests.
Snorkel Coiba Island’s reefs teeming with marine life.
Transit the legendary Panama Canal by day.
Visit remote Emberá villages deep in the jungle.

Panama Cruises

Costa Rica
Panama

Kontiki Wayra

Contemporary wellness-themed yacht pioneering exploration of Costa Rica's paradisiacal Pacific coast.

5 - 8 Days

From

$4,179 USD

Panama Experiences

Our handpicked fleet of small ships and expedition yachts is operated by regional experts who bring Panama’s wonders to life, from the canal’s historic passage to hidden islands and rainforest shores.

Luxury Cruises

1 Cruise Available

Charter Cruises

1 Cruise Available

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Costa Rica
Panama

Private Charter

Kontiki Wayra

Contemporary wellness-themed yacht pioneering exploration of Costa Rica's paradisiacal Pacific coast.

8 Days +

Per Day

$20,000 USD

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Curious about cruising Panama? Our destination experts have compiled a comprehensive guide—find out the best times to transit the canal, what to pack, and how to experience Panama’s blend of history and nature.

Panama Cruises