Panama Canal Ocean to Ocean

Why we like Tours By Locals....the selection of tours offered, being able to customize our experience directly with the guides in advance, we LOVED their regional and specific knowledge, good English and politeness was the norm. About this tour...My husband is an Engineer and we wanted a tour guide and ground-based experience that fulfilled that mindset...AND Horacio gave us that and more! The locks near Panama City are crowded and so he started us on the Caribbean Locks...Gatun and Aqua Clara to see the new and the old locks in action. He chose a delicious restaurant (overlooking a yacht harbor and good prices) for our lunch stop. Horacio was VERY WELL READ and KNOWLEDGEABLE about all the canal workings and we were never felt rushed to get to the next stop.

Outstanding tour! Horacio met us at the Panama Airport - waiting for us upon arrival. He had a very suitable vehicle (newer model SUV) and immediately greeted us, loaded our luggage, then provided cold waters for our refreshment. We had an immediate comfort level - maintained throughout the tour. After our greeting we discussed the plan of the day at a nearby coffee shop. Horacio had a strong command of English and Spanish and was able to communicate at all the venues. Horacio's knowledge of Panama and the Canal as well as Canal History was unparalleled. He took us to each viewing area ensuring we had the best view and explanation. We visited historical locations and current facilities. Tickets for venues were provided and we were able to proceed to the front of the line for immediate entry. Airport arrival was timely! Overall an incredible guide and incredible visit!

Horacio did a first rate job showing us the Panama canal by land as well as quick driving tours of Colon And Panama City. The canal sites focused on the visitor centers on either end. Crowds and lock activity, there are always ships going through, is out of Horacio's control. It was a good compliment to our cruise ship full transit through the following day.

Horacio was excellent! I had been to Panama previously and seen Miraflores Locks and the Bridge of the Americas. Horatio designed a custom tour for me that included: driving along the canal route to Centennial Bridge, viewing Culebra Cut--from both ends, stopping in Gamboa and viewing the Chagres River from Gamboa Resort, Aqua Clara Visitor Center and the new locks, Shelter Bay for lunch, Fort San Lorenzo, Colon, and back to Panama City that evening. Excellent and very knowledgeable about Panama, its people, history, culture, and economy.