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If you are an experienced cruise traveler who is looking for a different type of cruise experience, then you should consider booking a Panama Canal cruise. Because of its distance from the US, cruises to the Panama Canal and Central America tend to be longer, lasting at least a week and possibly up to 3 weeks. Cruise vacations to the Panama Canal and nearby locales are famous for adventurous excursions, rainforests, and other natural sites.

PANAMA CANAL / CENTRAL AMERICA CRUISE DEALS

	ITINERARY	INTERIOR	OCEANVIEW	BALCONY	SUITE	SAVINGS
	13 Night Panama Canal Westbound Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Star Departs from Miami	Sold Out	Sold Out	Sold Out	$1,399	SAVE
	15 Night Panama Canal & South America Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Infinity Departs from Ft. Lauderdale	$599	$698	$1,149	$1,699	SAVE
	10% Discount on select Shore Excursions!
	14 Night Panama Canal Westbound Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Constellation Departs from Miami	$999	$1,099	$2,049	$5,899	SAVE
	10% Discount on select Shore Excursions!
	14 Night Panama Canal Eastbound Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Constellation Departs from San Diego	$1,049	$1,299	$1,599	$2,799	SAVE
	10% Discount on select Shore Excursions!
	10 Night Roundtrip Panama Canal Brochure price $1,599. Save up to 38%. Princess Cruises – Island Princess Departs from Ft. Lauderdale	$999	$1,099	$1,499	$1,649	38%
	FREE $325 Onboard Savings Book - Call! 10% Discount on select Shore Excursions!
	16 Night Panama Canal Westbound Azamara Cruises – Azamara Journey Departs from Miami	Sold Out	Sold Out	$2,799	$4,999	SAVE
	10% Discount on select Shore Excursions!

Panama Canal / Central America Ports of Call

Itineraries that involve the Panama Canal are varied across cruise lines; many stop at Western Caribbean locations and Mexico, while others call in northern South America and Central America. Not all cruise ships will completely pass through the Panama Canal, and some will not even enter the canal.

Typical ports of call include Colon, Limon, Santo Tomas De Castillo, Cartagena, Gamboa, San Blas Island, Puerto Caldera, Puerto Quetzaland and Puntarenas. To see other ports of call in the Western Caribbean and Mexico, be sure to visit our other cruise destination pages.

Panama Canal / Central America Highlights

The low down on the most popular Panama Canal/Central America cruise destinations:

Puntarenas, Costa Rica: With numerous waterfalls, rainforests, and volcanoes nearby, this Costa Rican destination offers a variety of adventurous shore excursions.

Colon, Panama: The site of the Panama Canal entrance on the Caribbean Sea side. Named for Christopher Columbus, Colon is the world's second largest duty-free port.

Limon, Costa Rica: Home to national parks and preserved scenic sites.

Gamboa, Panama: Located in the middle of the Panama Canal on Gatun Lake, this village is visited by cruise lines that cross the Panama Canal to the other side or decide to turn around and head back to their departure site.

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica: One of Costa Rica’s largest coastal cities. From here it is a short distance to Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala: Home to many Mayan ruins, Puerto Quetzal is close to the city of Antigua, Guatemala’s former capital city.

San Blas Islands: The country of the Kuna Indians, which rule this collection of 365 islands (50 if which are inhabited) and still practice their cultural traditions.

Santo Tomas De Castillo, Guatemala: Guatemala's largest port on the Caribbean.

Cartagena, Columbia: One of the oldest cities in Columbia, filled with historic buildings and monuments. The resort area of Cartegana is safer than most other parts of Columbia.

Panama Canal / Central America Activities and Attractions

Panama City: A 90-minute bus ride from Colon; sites here include a restored colonial town, President's Palace, city cathedral, Historical Museum of Panama, Panama Canal Museum and the Municipal Palace.

Portobelo: A 60-minute bus ride from Colon; this once thriving city is now home to forts and a street market.

Panama Canal Locks: A short trek from Colon; the Gatun Locks and the Miraflores are relatively close.

Colon Excursions: Activities include a trip to the Locks, a cruise on the Changres River, raft rides, kayaking, scuba diving, and a guided hike through the rainforest.

Limon National Parks: Tortuguero Canals, Braulio Carrillo National Park, Cahuita National Park, Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge, Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, La Amistad International Park, Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve, Chirripó National Park.

Limon Excursions: Boat trips on the Tortuguero Canals, the Aerial Tram ride at Rain Forest, swimming and snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, traverse cables and swing like Tarzan through the rainforest on the Canopy Tour.

Panama Canal Helicopter Rides: Departing from Limon and other locales, see the Panama Canal from a birds-eye view.

KéköLdi Indigenous Reserve: Home to the few remaining indigenous Costa Ricans; be sure to get permission before traveling here.

Puerto Caldera Excursions: Travel inland to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, or to the nearby mountains.

Mayan Ruins: A must-see when visiting Puerto Quetzal.

Santo Tomas de Castillo Sites: Mayan ruins, Cayos del Diablo Resort.

Cartagena Sites: La Popa Monastery, Virgin of Candelaria statue, San Felipe Fortress, Saint Peter Claver's Church and Monastery, Plaza Fernandez Madrid, Church of Santo Toribio, Palace of the Inquisition, Gold Museum, Church of Saint Pedro Claver.

Cartagena Shopping: Available at Pierino Gallo Plaza in New City and Las Bovedas in Old City.

Cartagena Tours: Guided walks and rides around this historic Columbian city.

Café Britt Coffee: Learn about the art of growing coffee; tours depart from Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Puntarenas Excursions: Activites include horseback riding, trips to Poas National Park cloud forest, kayaking, snorkeling, and walking across an elevated sky bridge through the rainforest.

Puntarenas Sites: National Theater, Metropolitan Cathedral.

Sarchí: Art village near Puntarenas.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Nature Park and Wildlife Refuge: Must-see attraction near Puntarenas, Costa Rica; home to the Hummingbird Garden and Butterfly Garden.

San Jose Sites: Ports in Costa Rica offer excursions to the capital city; sites here include the National Museum of Pre-Colombian Art and the Opera House.

When to Visit the Panama Canal / Central America

Cruises to the Panama Canal and the surrounding area occur from October to April. Rainy season ends in November, so it is recommended to go after rainy season is over.

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