Panama Canal Partial Transit Boat Tour

I enjoyed receiving the information about the locks. Oscar, my guide had a wealth of knowledge. He had so much information to share. I wish I had more time with him.

In over 20 years of traveling abroad and touring, this was the worst experience ever. My friend and I were scheduled for this tour on Sunday and we called the tour operator on Friday to confirm this tour was still scheduled (due to COVID) and our pickup time from the hotel. He told us to email him on Saturday for pickup time - no mention of cancellation. I emailed him twice, sent messages via the Viator link twice, and texted him once. (My phone showed a read receipt so I know he got the text.) At no time did I even get the courtesy of a response. I called Viator for assistance and their representative was unable to reach the operator either. On Sunday morning when noone from Ivantours Costa Rica Panama came to pick us up, we checked Viator to find that availability for this date was crossed off. By this time we couldn't even plan a different tour for the day. We understood the tour might be cancelled; just let us know. Finally, when we requested a refund, the operator sent a message several days later, "we are very sorry we were unable to reach you". Seriously???

Everything whent super smooth. From very early pick-up to drop off before noon. Food was plentyfull and okay. Guide J.C was exellent!

The tour, while it lasted was very good. But the logistics and the company's empty promises regarding hotel pick up and drop off are unacceptable. I urge Viatour to look into it and not recommend this company any longer. Although it promises pick up and charges for it, it asks you to get a cab and then wait for over an hour, enough time to do the pick ups as all other companies have done. Their excuses are lies.The drop off is an unacceptable lie and behavior of the company employees. The guide and driver tell you to get the bus, I told the drive the hotel, the guide told me to go to the drop off bus. However a company employee got on the bus in the city and told me to get off, he was rude and reckless.he wanted me to get off under the freeway in a dangerous area telling me that that is the adresa of the hotel as if I cannot read street names and do not know where I stay. In that dangerous location where he was trying to get rid of me there was no taxi stand. I told him forcefully to drop me off at a taxi stand by a reasonable hotel. It was night and I am a solo woman traveler, who paid much more $ 184.00 than people with pick up and drop offs, who only paid $130.00. The company employee forced me to get off at a hotel with no taxi stand and mocked me showing me a busy road and telling me those were taxis. The road was very busy. I had to beg the reception to find me a cab and they offered me a ride at 4 times the price, $10.00 for a few minutes ride in what they said was a hotel cab, but I wa thankful as I was very scared to be left alone in the middle of an unknown city at night.The company owes me money for these empty rpmoses they have charged me for, namely hotel pick up and return drop off. It also owes me a huge apology and has to fire the employee who was rude, reckless, an: unacceptable, endangering my life and runining what otherwise would be a good day. Viatour, you should research the companies you recommend and not use this company ever again! The company should return all the money for the disaster they created.

We enjoyed the small boat tour through the two sets of locks on the Pacific side of the Canal. Went through the old locks trailing larger ships, saw the new locks but did not go through them. Pros: see the locks and fixtures up close, very good narration, pick up at and return to our hotel. Cons: Very early (5am) start required to meet the Canal schedule, food was passable but not inspired. This is a very good way to learn about and experience the Panama Canal.

Everything about the trip was fun. Even with rain the trip was excellent. The breakfast and lunch were not great but this experience is not about the food. Every aspect of the trip is well orchestrated.

This was a disappointment. After a lot of research, we went with this particular tour to satisfy three generations of interest in the Panama Canal. While I am glad we all saw and experienced the Canal together, the tour itself was such a let down. I know things are slower in Panama than in the US where we were visiting from. And I know it is a long wait for boats to go through the canal. But I have experienced really well run tours in slower paced countries. This wasn't that. We waited endlessly on the bus more than once. There was no education history about the Canal or what we were about to see. There was no video. There was no passion for what was happening. Just droning on about how it's not his fault. These people have clearly led the tour and dealt with visitors for too many years. It showed and we felt it. Once we did get on the boat, the food and drink and boat itself are all fine. But again, the bland voiceover and lack of engagement with the visitors made this such a disappointment. And a very very expensive disappointment. I'd find another option. Maybe a half day. Maybe a different company. Maybe a private tour with a guide who cares and can make your visit meaningful and memorable.

The trip was very Educational and informative. We now have a better appreciation for Panama and the Canal. JC was very knowledgeable about not only the canal but Panama and its history The services were great Highly recommend this tour to everyone.

While the Canal of course is very impressive the tour was spoiled by the constant chatter of a very, very annoying tour guide who talked and talked and talked... and all that extremely loud vial 15 big speakers that hang in every corner on every floor of the ship. Not good!

After a slow start due to canal traffic, the trip lived up to my expectations. I would recommend it.