The Monkey Island, Sloth Sanctuary and Panama Canal tour pairs a Gatun Lake boat ride to see wild monkeys with a dedicated stop at Gamboa's Sloth Sanctuary, plus a walk through the butterfly house, orchid garden and frog exhibit.

What makes the Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary tour special?

Spotting a sloth from a boat or safari truck is a matter of luck, since they move slowly and blend into the canopy. This tour removes that uncertainty by adding a dedicated visit to Gamboa's Sloth Sanctuary, where rescued sloths can be observed closely while a guide explains their feeding habits and the sanctuary's conservation work. The butterfly house, orchid garden and frog exhibition round out the stop with smaller wildlife most boat tours never get close to.

What should I expect on this canal, monkey and sloth combo?

Departures run at 6:30 AM, 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM, subject to availability, with hotel pickup included in the standard Panama City zone. After the drive to Gamboa, you board a boat into the canal waterways where rainforest meets the shipping lane, watching for wild monkeys along the shoreline before continuing to the Sloth Sanctuary and its connected exhibits. The whole loop, boat plus sanctuary plus exhibits, runs about five hours. Note that wildlife sightings on the boat portion cannot be guaranteed and the tour does not visit or transit the canal locks themselves.

Is the Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary tour worth the price?

Yes, if seeing a real sloth matters more to you than hoping for a lucky spot from a truck window, since the sanctuary visit removes that gamble entirely. It suits families, photographers, and anyone who wants a varied day covering primates, sloths, butterflies and frogs in one outing. It is a weaker fit if your budget is tight, since this sits at the higher end of the price range here, and it will not run at all if your visit falls on a Monday.

What's included in the price?

Included: hotel pickup and drop-off within the standard Panama City area, a bilingual English and Spanish-speaking guide, the Monkey Island boat tour on Gatun Lake and canal waterways, entrance to Gamboa's Sloth Sanctuary, the butterfly house, orchid garden and frog exhibition, and bottled water. Not included: meals and additional drinks, gratuities, and a $10 per person surcharge for pickup from Costa del Este or Santa Maria, plus an additional charge for pickup from Tocumen Airport or Playa Bonita.

How much does the Monkey Island and Sloth Sanctuary tour cost?

Listed pricing starts from €134 per person. As with any live marketplace listing, confirm the current price, departure times and pickup surcharges before booking.

Getting there and departure times

Pickup is included within the standard Panama City zone, with your exact pickup time confirmed before the tour. The sanctuary is closed on Mondays, so the tour operates Tuesday through Sunday only.

Insider tips for the canal, monkey and sloth combo

Wear comfortable walking shoes suited to a tropical climate and bring rain protection regardless of forecast, since the tour runs rain or shine. Do not touch, handle or try to feed any wild animal along the way, and keep insect repellent and sun protection on hand for the outdoor sections. If a last-minute booking is your only option, contact the operator directly to confirm pickup arrangements, since pets are never permitted on this route.

How does this compare to other Monkey Island tours?

If you would rather see sloths spotted in the wild as part of a safari-truck format instead of a dedicated sanctuary, the Monkey, Sloth and Toucan jungle habitat tour is a cheaper alternative. For a tour that adds the Miraflores Locks instead of sloths, see the Monkey Island and Miraflores Locks tour. Compare the full lineup on the Monkey Island tours page.