Gatún Lake (Lago Gatún)

Gatún Lake eco cruises explore islands and lakeside villages before continuing along the Chagres River or the Panama Canal. Zip around the lake on a motorboat, take a small-boat tour to Monkey Island, or kayak around the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. A full-day Gatún Lake tour from Panama City may also include a hike through Chagres National Park, a stop at the Miraflores Locks or the Gatún Locks Visitor Center, or a visit to the indigenous villages of Soberanía National Park.

• Outdoor activities on the lake include freshwater fishing, waterskiing, and even scuba diving.

• Wear layered clothing—even when it’s hot on land, it can get chilly out on the water.

• Some boat cruises are wheelchair accessible, but it’s best to check in advance.

The main gateway to Gatún Lake is Colón on the Atlantic coast, from which regular buses and taxis make the short trip to the Gatún Locks. Most tours set out from Panama City on the Pacific coast, an hour away by road.

Gatún Lake cruises run all year round, but the main cruise season is October to April. For the best views of the Panama Canal, avoid visiting between midday and 2pm, when the canal changes direction and no boats pass through the locks.

The Panama rainforest that surrounds Gatún Lake is renowned for its biodiversity. Common sightings include capuchin, tamarin, and howler monkeys; iguanas; and a huge variety of exotic birds. As you cruise around the islands, look out for three-toed sloths hanging in the trees, crocodiles lounging by the lakeside, colorful toucans swooping overhead, and perhaps even coati and agouti darting along the shores.

Gatun Lake is an artificial lake in Panama. This enormous artificial lake was designed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via the Panama Canal. Construction started in 1907 and ended in 1913. Although its use is primarily for ship passage, it is a popular tourist attraction for hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing.

Yes, visiting the Gatun Locks, which connect the Atlantic Ocean to Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal, is possible. The Gatun Locks are a three-lock system that enables boat travel in both directions. You can watch the locks raise and lower ships and explore the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center.

Gatun Lake is home to hundreds of wildlife, fauna, and flora species. Whether exploring by boat or on foot, you can spot spider monkeys in the trees, sloths relaxing near the waterside, and crocodiles floating across the water. The peacock bass, a non-native species, can also be found.

Yes, there are guided tours available to visit Gatun Lake. Many of these tours depart and return to Panama City, allowing visitors to experience Gatun Lake on a limited schedule. Guided tours take place on land and water, focusing primarily on wildlife, landscape, and the area's history.

Getting from Gatun Lake to Panama City isn’t difficult, especially if you hire private transportation. Many visitors visit the lake on an organized tour, but you can also take a cab or shuttle to Gatun Lake. The most affordable option is taking the bus from the capital to Gatun Dam.

Gatun Lake has plenty of outdoor recreation available through numerous tour companies. Water-based activities are among the most popular, such as boating, fishing, scuba diving, and swimming. There are also eco-tours available that showcase the lake’s ecosystem. Horseback riding, hiking, and cycling are also available as guided and self-guided tours.