Are you looking to experience an unforgettable journey through one of the most iconic waterways in the world? If so, a Panama Canal wildlife cruise is an adventure of a lifetime! On this cruise, you’ll witness some of nature’s most stunning creatures and landscapes up close. Monkey Island is a fascinating destination on this journey. But how do you ensure you make the most of this incredible experience? In this article, we’ll provide all the essential tips and tricks for making your Panama Canal wildlife cruise unique and memorable. So, keep reading to find out how!
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Where is the Panama Canal?
The Panama Canal is in the neck of Panama, connecting Central and South America. It is an 82 km or 51 miles long manufactured waterway that joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and passes through the Continental Divide. The Panama Canal is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. For many, visits to the Panama Canal are included on a cruise itinerary with other ports, such as Cartagena and Costa Rica.
Types of Panama Wildlife Cruises
When planning your Panama Canal wildlife cruise, consider the different tours available. Three types of cruises depart from Panama City:
- A traditional all-inclusive cruise
- A luxury all-inclusive cruise
- A Panama Canal wildlife tour
All-inclusive cruises include all meals and drinks (except for select alcoholic beverages) and shore excursions. Luxury all-inclusive cruises have a variety of dining options, as well as specialty drinks and wine. Wildlife tours depart from the city but stop at various wildlife-rich areas.
The three types of cruises have different amenities and prices. A traditional all-inclusive cruise costs around $1,000 per person, while a luxury all-inclusive cruise costs around $2,000 per person. A Panama Canal wildlife tour costs between $250 and $500 per person.
Which type of cruise is best depends on your preferences and budget. All-inclusive cruises provide the best value for money, but they can be less diverse than luxury all-inclusive cruises or wildlife tours. If you want to explore different areas of the canal and meet new people, a Panama Canal wildlife tour may be your best choice.
Planning Your Panama Wildlife Cruise
If you curious about the wildlife in the Panama Canal? A wildlife cruise through the canal can introduce you to some of its unusual inhabitants, like manatees and butterflies. Still, most likely, you are looking forward to viewing the monkey in their natural habitat on Monkey Island. Here’s everything you need to know about planning your trip.
When to Go:
The best time to visit is during the Dry season, from November to May. This is when there are fewer boats and traffic on the canal, making it easier to view the animals. The rainy season lasts from May to December, with November’s rainiest month. If you visit during the rainy season, pack a rain jacket.
What Type of wildlife Do to Want to See?
There are cruises specifically designed to see the bigger animals like toucans and monkeys but if you’re only interested in seeing birds, bird-only voyages are also available.
How much do you want to spend?
Panama Canal Wildlife Cruises can range from around $200 per person for a short trip to $1,000 or more for a full-day cruise.
How long is the cruise:
A wildlife cruise is a way to go if you want a wildlife-rich experience in Panama. But, as mentioned previously, several different wildlife cruises traverse the Panama Canal, so choosing one that fits your interests and schedule is essential. Some cruises are shorter and more focused on wildlife sightings, while others are longer, more inclusive, and contain more historical and cultural experiences. Most tours will include stopping by Monkey Island on their Panama canal itinerary.
A full wildlife cruise day tour takes around 7 hours. If you are doing a Panama Canal wildlife tour on a cruise excursion, the activity lasts about 3.5 hours. You will most likely arrive on the mainland via a tender boat, so that timing will depend on the number of people going ashore and the number of tender vehicles available.
Once ashore, you will board your bus or van to transfer to the waterfront, board your boats and start your wildlife cruise. Time on the boat last about 2 hours, and refreshments and washrooms are available before and after your wildlife cruise.
Got more time?
If you are spending a long time in Panama, stay overnight in one of the many charming canal villages that dot the waterway! Many wildlife cruises depart from Panama City and are also offered with other activities during your stay in Panama. You may find an interesting combination that checks all your boxes for entertainment, nature, and cultural experiences.
Depending on your tour type, wildlife may be your primary focus. While a luxury wildlife cruise might spend more time observing exotic creatures in their natural habitats, such as Monkey Island, budget-minded tours often limit themselves to viewing animals from shorelines or boats (depending on the vessel). Regardless of your tour route, it’s always helpful to know what to expect when cruising through one of the world’s longest waterways!
What to Pack for a Panama Wildlife Cruise
When planning your Panama Canal Wildlife Cruise, pack your camera! You’ll be able to capture some amazing wildlife photos and videos while cruising through the canal. Here are a few items you may want to bring on your trip:
- Binoculars or a telescope for spotting wildlife up close.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent, as Panama is known for its mosquitoes.
- A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotion, as the sun can be pretty intense in Panama.
- A rain jacket – most cruises rain or shine.
- Snacks and drinks (water, juice, soda) if required.
- And, most importantly, a camera! You’ll be able to capture some amazing photos and videos of the animals on your cruise.
Exploring the Wildlife of the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is the only major waterway between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, so, unsurprisingly, wildlife in and around the canal is diverse. The canal offers a variety of cruising options to explore marine life and terrestrial wildlife.
Some popular cruise choices include cruising the canal on a luxury yacht or exploring small villages along its banks. All wildlife cruises offer a fascinating insight into Panama’s history and natural wonders, including the shortest offered as large-ship cruise excursions.
Panama Canal wildlife cruises are a great way to see some wildlife that calls the canal home. The canal is a major migration route for many animals, and birds and cruises offer an excellent opportunity to see them up close.
On a wildlife cruise, the most common animals you’ll see are toucans, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, iguanas, bats, herons, and egrets. Monkey Island is known due to its proliferation of different types of monkeys. You may also see dolphins, whales, and even alligators. You may even spot a sloth in the wild if you’re lucky.
Make Lasting Memories of Your Panama Wildlife Cruise
The Panama Canal is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a wildlife-rich cruise. On a cruise in the Panama Canal, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see all sorts of animals, including land and water wildlife. Some of these creatures are found nowhere else in the world. Visitors can use binoculars to see some of these animals up close and take pictures or videos.
One of the best ways to make lasting memories on a Panama Canal Wildlife Cruise is to choose an operator with a good reputation. This way, you can ensure your trip will be enjoyable and worry-free.
Health and Safety Considerations for a Panama Wildlife Cruise
If you are considering embarking on a Panama Canal wildlife cruise, consult your travel insurance provider about the associated health and safety risks. These cruises can be enriching but also involve some inherent risks. Here are three tips for ensuring a safe and enjoyable wildlife expedition:
Know the Rules of the Road!
The canal is one of the most heavily traveled waterways in the world, so it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. Keep your eye out for more enormous traffic on the canal! Although this is part of your guide’s job, all passengers must also know their surroundings.
Dress for Success!
If a rainstorm threatens while you’re onboard, don’t expect to find much shelter aboard the vessel. Some will have a sunshade, but it will not protect much from torrential downpours or wind-driven rain. Pack accordingly!
Take Precautions Against Disease!
While viruses aren’t standard on these boats, they can still cause serious illness if mishandled. Occasionally, the monkeys board the boats, particularly near Monkey Island, and are notorious for carrying diseases. Wash your hands often; use insect repellent when outdoors.
Final Thoughts on Cruising Through The Panama Canal
A Panama Canal Wildlife Cruise is a fantastic opportunity to explore this iconic location’s diverse landscape and vibrant wildlife. With careful planning, packing the right items, researching what sights you want to see, knowing what to expect when passing through the canal itself, and prioritizing health & safety measures – you can make sure that every minute spent in this extraordinary place will be truly memorable!
Whether you’re cruising through the Panama Canal on a luxury cruise liner or taking a budget-friendly backpacker tour, a Panama Canal Wildlife Cruise will give you an unforgettable wildlife adventure.
Are you ready to plan your Panama wildlife cruise?
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What a great way to see so much wildlife. And something unique to do on a cruise! The monkeys are adorable but I would definitely be more comfortable with them keeping their distance, haha.
What a fabulous breakdown here. We never got around to doing one of these cruises during our Panama trip; it was renting a car in Panama City and quickly off to Pedasi and El Valle de Anton. Skeeter repellant is a must! Size of choppers these guys are down there.
Ryan
Funny you should mention the bugs. I think we were lucky as there were fewer than I was expecting on the cruise. (A relief as high humidity and insects are not a fun combination)
This looks like a great way to see Panama’s wildlife and get up close to creatures that only exist in this part of the world. The cruise is the added bonus 😉
Jan – https://flyingbaguette.com/
Absolutely! And being in the vicinity of such a famed waterway was an added feature. Sharing the water with such large ships is a bit daunting though. We are so small!
That sounds an interesting trip to see the wildlife up close. Weve done similar by boat in the Danube delta, the highlight being the Pelicans.
Yes, seeing wildlife up close brings on a new perspective of the world and how it is important to protect it.
The monkeys would make me a little on edge. And thank you for describing another one of the amazing Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
The monkeys were actually quite cute. If you were lucky to have a better guide, he would not be encouraging them to come onto the boat. If not, just make sure you have your belongings secured so the monkeys cannot steal them.