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Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
Forget the crowded, cookie-cutter bus tours — the Panama Canal Experience with Tomi Tours is unlike anything else in Panama City. Ride in style and nostalgia aboard a fully restored 1974 Volkswagen Kombi, complete with a custom open-top roof for panoramic views, cool breezes, and unbeatable photo ops.
This isn’t just another tour — it’s an adventure through history with personality. You’ll visit the iconic Miraflores Locks, see the majestic Canal Administration Building, and cross the legendary Bridge of the Americas in an open-top classic car — a breathtaking moment with the Pacific on one side and the Canal on the other.
Cruise through the former U.S. Canal Zone, once a restricted military area, now a fascinating blend of tropical nature and history. The whole journey is pure eye candy — every stop offers incredible backdrops for photos and videos, and the Kombi itself is a head-turner that steals the spotlight in every shot. Part history lesson, part joyride & 100% unforgettable.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We offer free pickup and drop-off from all central Panama City locations, including most major hotels and Airbnbs.
If you’re staying outside the city center, here’s how we make it easy for you:
Dreams or Westin Playa Bonita:
Please select 'Central Hotel', located in Plaza de la Independencia (in Casco Viejo) as your pickup location — it is about a 20-minute Uber ride from your hotel and a great location to begin your tour
Tocumen Airport, Costa del Este, Santa María, or Coco del Mar:
Please select 'Sortis Hotel & Casino' (Obarrio) as your pickup location. It’s a convenient, central pickup point for your tour and we can meet you there to start your tour.
Cruise Ship Passengers:
Please select “Cruise Ship Terminal” as your pickup location when booking. Please note that the port authority requires your full names in advance and charges a 10 USD Port Access Fee, which will be payable in cash directly to your Tomi Tours chauffeur at the terminal.
Don’t worry — we’ll contact you before your tour to confirm all details and make sure you have everything you need. If your hotel is outside the city center, we’ll help you arrange an Uber for a relaxed, stress-free start to your adventure!
We will message you before your tour is due to take place and ensure you're all set -and that your Tomi Tours guide will be waiting for you by the lobby of your hotel/AirBnB alongside our beautiful VW Kombi.
Itinerary
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1Miraflores Visitor Center
The Miraflores Visitor Center is one of the best places in Panama City to witness the incredible workings of the Panama Canal up close. Located at the Miraflores Locks, this modern facility offers travelers a front-row seat to see massive cargo ships being lifted and lowered through the lock system—a fascinating feat of engineering that’s been in operation for over a century. Visitors can watch the lock operations from spacious observation decks, where ships pass just meters away. Timing it right means seeing vessels from all over the world as they navigate the narrow canal chambers. Inside the visitor center, a multi-level museum showcases interactive exhibits on the canal’s history, construction, biodiversity, and global importance. One of the highlights is a short 3D movie narrated by Morgan Freeman, offering a cinematic overview of the canal’s history and impact. There are also scale models, historical artifacts, and information about both the original locks and canal expansion.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
2Panama Canal Administration Building
Here we stop at the grand and historic headquarters of the Panama Canal Authority, set atop a hill with panoramic views.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Panama City (Pass by)
Monument to Dr. Arnulfo Arias – Learn about one of Panama’s most influential and controversial political figures at this striking monument.
Admission ticket free -
Bridge of the Americas (Pass by)
Cross this engineering feat and take in breathtaking views of the canal’s entrance from the Pacific Ocean.
Admission ticket free -
3Mirador de Las Americas
Capture postcard-worthy photos and enjoy sweeping vistas of Panama City, the Pacific coast, and the canal zone.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Abandoned U.S. Military Bases & Mirador al Puerto de Panamá (Amador) – see the haunting remains of the former U.S. military presence and finish with a spectacular lookout point showcasing the Bridge of the Americas and the bustling canal entrance below
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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