Gatún Lake

Lago Gatún

A vast artificial lake forming a key part of the canal, surrounded by rainforest and dotted with islands teeming with wildlife. Boat tours reach Monkey Island and offer close encounters with capuchins, sloths and toucans.

Things to do

• Monkey Island Boat Tour — Cruise the lake's islands to spot white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys and tamarins that approach the boats.
• Transit the Gatún Locks — Watch massive ships rise and fall as they pass through the historic Gatún Locks connecting the lake to the Caribbean.
• Wildlife spotting for sloths and toucans — Glide near forested shorelines where sloths, toucans and crocodiles are commonly seen from the water.
• Fishing for peacock bass — Cast for the abundant peacock bass (sargento) that thrive in the lake's warm waters, a favorite of local anglers.
• Visit an Embera indigenous village — Take a dugout canoe up connected rivers to learn traditional dances, crafts and lifeways of the Embera community.
• Kayak among the flooded forest — Paddle quiet coves past half-submerged tree stumps left from the valley flooded to create the lake.
• Birdwatching near Barro Colorado — Explore the waters around the famous Smithsonian research island, one of the world's most studied tropical ecosystems.

Food to try

• Fried peacock bass — Freshly caught lake fish fried whole and served with patacones and lime, often at lakeside eateries.
• Sancocho — Panama's hearty chicken-and-yam soup seasoned with culantro, a comforting local staple.
• Patacones — Twice-fried green plantain slices, crisp and salty, served alongside most meals.
• Ceviche — Fresh corvina or shrimp marinated in lime and onion, sold cheap and cold at markets near the canal.
• Carimañolas — Deep-fried yuca fritters stuffed with seasoned ground meat, a popular Panamanian snack.
• Chicheme — A sweet, thick corn-and-milk drink flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, refreshing in the tropical heat.

Local customs & good to know

• Don't feed the monkeys — Feeding wildlife on Monkey Island harms their health and behavior, so keep food stowed and follow guide rules.
• Book tours from Gamboa — Most reputable lake and wildlife tours depart from Gamboa, about an hour from Panama City by road.
• Bring sun and rain protection — The equatorial climate brings intense sun and sudden downpours, so pack a hat, sunscreen and a light rain jacket.
• Respect the working canal — The lake is an active shipping route, so tour boats must yield to transiting vessels for safety.

Nearby

• Gatún Locks (Colón & Caribbean Coast) — 9 km
• Agua Clara Visitor Center (Colón & Caribbean Coast) — 12 km
• Fort San Lorenzo (Colón & Caribbean Coast) — 14 km
• Gamboa — 26 km