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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Top ways to experience Gatun Lake
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
3 within 10 kms
See what travelers are saying
- orrdinNew York883 contributionsLovely lake though not as much wildlife as expectedThe 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.Visited December 2022Traveled with familyWritten December 25, 2022
- betteskidBoston, Massachusetts1,310 contributionsBeautiful spot and exciting to be in the Panama CanalWe 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.Visited March 2023Written May 1, 2023
- Ontario76Sherwood Park, Canada1,101 contributionsIn transit to a canal transit!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.Visited February 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 3, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,081 reviews
Excellent
634
Very good
350
Average
84
Poor
11
Terrible
2
Ontario76
Sherwood Park, Canada1,101 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 3 September 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, MA1,310 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 1 May 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.
AZCatFan1998
Mechanicsburg, PA291 contributions
Apr 2023
We were in a little skiff going around to see monkey island but the best part was seeing the giant shipping vessels in the lake. Beware if you have a weak stomach the water does get choppy when you pass a ship and you may get sick.
Written 10 April 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.
Shelley C
8 contributions
Mar 2023
We crossed Gatun Lake on our Monkey Tour, passed a couple of massive boats that were crossing the Panama Canal.
We didn't see the whole lake but it was very interesting to be on the canal route.
We didn't see the whole lake but it was very interesting to be on the canal route.
Written 25 March 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.
Ken Q
Denver, United States851 contributions
Feb 2023
We visited here as part of our boat tour of the Panama Canal. Fun to see the ships and there was lots of wildlife.
Written 25 February 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.
BigMerk
Glasgow, UK2,274 contributions
Feb 2023
Huge man-made lake into which ships sail from the Caribbean locks of the Panama Canal. We took a small boat to look for wildlife but, apart from a swimming sloth and some monkeys there was little to see. On another day we may have been more lucky.
Written 22 February 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.
Marc N
Bartlesville, OK932 contributions
Feb 2023
Hard to believe this is a man-made lake. Several opportunities to see flora and fauna. Highlight of this trip were the howler monkeys.
Written 12 February 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.
Kevin
Chicago, IL217 contributions
Dec 2022
we caught peacock bass as saw monkeys, but the traffic getting there (Gambaa) from city was a hassle
Written 8 January 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.
TAMAN1951
Liberty Lake, WA6,463 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Significant body of water part of the Panama Canal system.
Quite busy and full of ships traversing the canal.
Nice scenery.
Quite busy and full of ships traversing the canal.
Nice scenery.
Written 30 December 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.
orrdin
New York883 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 25 December 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.
Anu M
Arlington, VA
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.
Laura P
1 contribution
Hi! Do you know if there are boat rides available on location or do we have to book in advance?
pvero17
Jonzac, France45 contributions
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 .
MB25Houston
Houston, TX22 contributions
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 !
Robby5boy
Panay Island, Philippines12 contributions
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!
Bart L
Aurora, Canada2 contributions
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.
bradrobenolt
Westminster, MD150 contributions
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.
sargass0
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
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
Blake85251
Scottsdale, AZ46 contributions
Jungle Panama! Great company and very. Ice people!
Pimoney314
8 contributions
Good Morning .... Are there any Catamaran Sunset Cruises in Panama ?Thanks
Mario Z
Barcelona, Venezuela4 contributions
Hola amigo! Me gustarÃa saber sobre el Hotel Meliá (condiciones y servicios), seguridad en Colón y costo de taxis. Agradezco su respuesta (mariozam24@gma...).
Nine1948
Quebec, Canada49 contributions
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.
Edyta O
Toronto, Canada21 contributions
Are there a lot of mosquitoes at Gatun lake?
Iain@Sea
Helensburgh, UK808 contributions
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.
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Claim your listingGATUN LAKE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Gatun Lake
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Gatun Lake:
- Panama Canal Tour and Gatun Lake Ecotour (From ₱7,140.48)
- Full-Day Gatun Lake and Indian Village Tour from Panama City (From ₱8,160.63)
- Panama Canal Full Transit Boat Tour (From ₱16,052.25)
- Embera indigenous Village visit (From ₱8,579.65)
- Panama Canal Full Transit Tour (From ₱10,793.76)
- Hotels near Gatun Lake:
- (4.98 km) Jungle Land Panama Floating Lo
- (15.89 km) Canopy Tower
- (10.16 km) Gamboa Rainforest Reserve
- (9.58 km) Canopy Bed and Breakfast
- (12.77 km) Private Beach Home - See Property Details For Accurate Weekly & Monthly Rentals!
- Attractions near Gatun Lake:
- (1.21 km) Monkey Island
- (10.23 km) Embera Village Tours & More
- (10.46 km) Yala Tours Panama
- (7.53 km) Birding Pipeline Panama
- (6.53 km) Panama Rainforest Discovery Center