Gatún Lake Monkey Island boat tour

Covered riverboats leave Gamboa and run up the Chagres River into Gatún Lake, the dammed reservoir that carries ships across most of the canal, so container ships pass close by on the way out. Monkey Island is really a cluster of small islands, and the boat moves between several of them, because the troops shift around. White-faced capuchins are the bold ones and will climb onto the roof and into the boat, so hold on to anything loose. Geoffroy's tamarins live on other islands, and howler monkeys usually make themselves heard before they are seen. Sloths, birds and crocodiles on the banks turn up too.

The usual trip lasts about four hours from Panama City with hotel pickup, of which roughly 80 to 90 minutes is spent around the islands. Morning and afternoon departures run. Meals are not included, so bring water and a snack. It is an easy outing with children, and the boat ride from the marina is around half an hour each way.