The Pacific Queen in the Panama Canal Locks
Just had a meeting at Panama Marine Adventures. They operate one of the companies which take visitors through the Panama Canal on day trips. A half day transit takes about 5 hours and there is a bilingual guide to explain the sites and nature as the boat sails through the locks and Canal; included as well is a simple lunch with soft drinks.
The trip looks very interesting. A friend of mine went recently and loved the day, she said it was extremely relaxing with beautiful views from within the Canal (she did the Full Transit). As I have not had time to do it in the 4 years we have been here, I will go and check it out myself very soon.
The tours head out from Amador Causeway and depending on the day, either leaves from the dock at Amador or returns to the dock there. If returning in the afternoon to Amador by boat (Saturdays) they will take you by air conditioned bus to Gamboa in the morning where you board your ship. Schedules right now are Saturdays only, but during the high season they run three days, from Thursday through Saturday.
Half Panama Canal transit: $115 adults; $65 children 3-12
Full Panama Canal transit: $165 adults; $75 children 3-12 (Full Transit takes about 12 hours)
For more information: please contact me, by commenting here in my blog or sending me an email directly: info@cerritotropicalpanama.com
Their contact info: 226-8917 270-4288 www.pmatours.com
Note, combining this with a Taboga Island trip: The tours both start and end near the dock we use to go to Taboga Island, so if our guests/visitors are coming over to Cerrito Tropical on a Saturday, and are interested in doing something additional during their holiday they could do the half transit in the morning and catch the ferry to Taboga once they return. Schedule works perfectly. The Saturday ferry for Taboga is at 4 pm.
Incidentally: Panama Marine Adventures, the same company as the Canal Tours with the Pacific Queen, also have a beautiful luxury cruiser for rent which sleeps 24 that they have just started to charter by the week in all inclusive packages.
Destination Panama 