Historic Portobelo and Panama Canal

Explore Portobelo’s colonial history and marvel at the Panama Canal’s Agua Clara Locks. Book now for a journey through time and engineering wonders.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Portobelo - Explore the historic charm of Portobelo, a town founded by Christopher Columbus in 1597. Dive into the tales of Sir Francis Drake’s exploits and the mysteries of his resting place beneath the waters of Portobelo Bay. Wander through Fort San Geronimo, Fort San Felipe, and the Customs House, a two-story colonial marvel dating back to…
What's Included
  • Stroll through historic ruins of Spanish colonial fortresses
  • Discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Portobelo
  • Explore the iconic Cristo Negro Church
  • Enjoy breathtaking views of Gatun Lake and the canal expansion from Agua Clara Locks
  • Certified Tour Guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Experience the best of Panama’s rich history and modern marvels on our Portobelo and Agua Clara Locks Combo Tour. Delve into the captivating past of Portobelo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded by Christopher Columbus in 1597. Walk through history as you explore the Spanish colonial architecture and the iconic church, all steeped in tales of…

Location
Portobelo
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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(3 Ratings)
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Francisco_d
Dec 23, 2025
An Unforgettable Day Trip to Portobelo and the Panama Canal - My recent visit to Portobelo and the Agua Clara Locks was hands-down one of the highlights of my trip to Panama. We booked a guided tour that combined the historic charm of colonial Portobelo with the mind-blowing engineering of the Panama Canal, and it exceeded all expectations. We absolutely loved the tour, and our tour guide, Michael, was sensational—knowledgeable, passionate, and full of fascinating stories that brought everything to life. We started in Portobelo, this picturesque little town on the Caribbean coast with a rich history of Spanish forts, pirates, and treasure fleets. The Ruins of were incredible with cannons still pointing out to sea, and stunning views over the bay. It's a UNESCO site for a reason. Next, we explored the Royal Customs House of Portobelo, a beautifully restored building from the 1600s that once handled all the gold and silver from the Americas. The highlight in town was the Iglesia de San Felipe, home to the famous Black Christ (El Cristo Negro) statue. Then we headed to the Agua Clara Locks at the Panama Canal's Atlantic side. Watching massive ships get lowered through the expanded locks was awe-inspiring—the scale is just unreal. If you're in Panama, don't miss this combo—history, culture, and modern marvels all in one day. Highly recommend a guided tour; ours made it truly memorable!
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_p
Jan 21, 2025
Handicapped guy had a great time. - I am traveling with my husband who is in a wheelchair. Merely was so very helpful and patient. We had fun and learned so much.
Review provided by Viator
Cristinate6667lz
Jun 26, 2024
Great tour Panama City, old city and Miraflores excuses - Visiting, in the old town, Panama City and the excuses of Miraflores, has been wonderful. Bill, he made our experience unique, with his kindness, his wisdom, his joy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $179
up to 15 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).