Panama Canal Helicopter Tour

One Hour Aerial Adventure in a Luxury Helicopter with up to 6 Passengers

  • One Hour Aerial Tour

  • Guided Commentary

  • Bose Headsets Included

Experience the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Panama Canal on a full one-hour aerial journey aboard a six-passenger luxury helicopter—an adventure unlike any other in the world. From this unmatched vantage point, you’ll watch colossal ocean vessels gracefully navigate the legendary waterway, a true masterpiece of human ambition and engineering. As the canal winds its way through a sea of emerald rainforest, the striking contrast of modern marvel and untouched natural beauty creates a spectacle so rare and unforgettable that it feels like a privilege to witness firsthand.

Price Per Person:
$399 USD*
*Based on 6 participants

Price Per Person:
$399 USD*
*Based on 6 participants

A ship traveling the Panama Canal.
The Panama Canal.
A bridge over the Panama Canal.
A view of Panama City, Panama taken from Ancon.
The locks of the Panama Canal.
A bridge over the Panama Canal.
A ship traveling the Panama Canal.
A view of Panama City, Panama taken from Ancon.
The locks of the Panama Canal.
The Panama Canal.

Tour Information

  • A full one-hour panoramic flight over the world-famous Panama Canal
  • Exclusive six-passenger luxury helicopter with forward-facing seating
  • Bose noise-cancelling headsets for crystal-clear commentary and comfort
  • Live, bilingual narration by your highly experienced pilot-guide
  • Sweeping views of locks, bridges, rainforests, and coastlines from both oceans
  • Private and small-group options for an intimate, tailored experience
  • Panama Canal Locks (Miraflores, Pedro Miguel, Cocolí, Aqua Clara, Gatún)
  • Centennial Bridge and Puente Atlántico
  • The Culebra Cut (Gaillard Cut)
  • Barro Colorado Island – Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
  • Fort San Lorenzo (17th-century Spanish fortress)
  • Colón and the Colón Free Zone
  • Lago Alajuela (Madden Lake) and surrounding rainforest watershed
  • Panama City’s skyline and the Bay of Panama
  • Amador Causeway, Cruise Ship Terminal, and Biomuseo

From the moment you lift off from Albrook Airport, the city unfolds beneath you—modern skyscrapers rising from the shoreline before giving way to the timeless greenery of Panama’s tropical rainforest. As your helicopter glides toward the canal, your pilot shares expert commentary, guiding your gaze to one of the most impressive feats of engineering ever constructed.

Watch as massive Neo-Panamax vessels are lifted and lowered through intricate lock systems with remarkable precision, a sight that can only be fully appreciated from above. The flight continues across bridges, centuries-old fortresses, and historic waters that once carried Spanish galleons, all framed by an endless sea of jungle. You’ll trace the canal from Pacific to Atlantic, experiencing in one seamless journey what ships require hours to accomplish.

This is not just a sightseeing flight—it is an immersion into Panama’s past, present, and future. With each moment, you witness a living artery of global commerce intersecting with one of the richest ecosystems on Earth. Designed for comfort and luxury, the helicopter itself enhances the experience, ensuring every detail is tailored to make your journey unforgettable.

  1. Starting Location
    Albrook Airport, Panama City
  2. Cocoli, Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks
    Transiting ships are raised and lowered from Atlantic Ocean to Lake Gatun
  3. Centennial Bridge
    Second bridge over the canal and the Culebra Cut (Gaillard Cut)
  4. Barro Colorado Island
    Location of The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
  5. Aqua Clara and Gatun Locks
    Transiting ships are raised or lowered from the Atlantic to Lake Gatun
  6. Fort San Lorenzo
    Dating to the 1600’s, protecting the treasures of the new world from pirates
  7. Puente Atlántico
    Spectacular bridge crossing the Panama Canal on the Atlantic side
  8. Colon and Colon Free Zone
    Harbors, terminals and historical city
  9. Lago Alajuela (Madden Lake)​
    Panama Canal watershed surrounded by lush jungle
  10. Panama City Skyline
    Spectacular skyscrapers and towering residential apartment towers
  11. Bay of Panama & ships waiting for transit
    Ships large and small waiting for their canal transit to the Atlantic Ocena
  12. Amador Causeway
    Home of the Panama Cruise Ship Terminal, Biodiversity Museum and expansive Panama Convention Center.
  13. Arrive back at Albrook Airport
  • One hour flight time
  • Luxury six-passenger helicopter with forward-facing seating
  • Bose noise-cancelling headsets for tour commentary and intercom
  • Bilingual pilot (English/Spanish); other languages on request with guide
  • Cold bottled water for all passengers
  • No outside food permitted in the helicopter

Your adventure begins at Albrook Airport in Panama City. After a warm welcome and pre-flight briefing, you’ll board your luxury helicopter, settle into forward-facing seats, and slip on your Bose headset as the rotors begin to turn.

Lifting off, you’ll soar over the bustling city skyline and out toward the canal. From your privileged vantage point, colossal vessels glide through the locks, bridges span rainforest canopies, and centuries-old forts keep silent watch over the coastline. At each highlight, your pilot-guide provides expert commentary, bringing history and engineering to life in real time.

As the journey unfolds, you’ll cross lush tropical landscapes, trace the canal to its Atlantic mouth, and loop back across Panama’s most iconic landmarks before descending gently to Albrook Airport. At every moment, the blend of comfort, luxury, and spectacle ensures an experience unlike any other.

Duration: Full 60-minute (one hour) flight

Cancellation Policy: Flexible — changes and cancellations accommodated when possible

Payment: Reserve now, pay in full 48 hours before your flight

Live Tour Guide: English & Spanish; other languages available upon request

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with assistance

Group Size: Private and small groups up to six passengers

Not Allowed: High heels, weapons or sharp objects, selfie sticks, outside food, and children under 2 years of age

  1. How long is the tour?
    The flight experience lasts a full 60 minutes in the air, offering uninterrupted sightseeing from start to finish.
  2. Where does the tour begin and end?
    All flights depart from Albrook Airport in Panama City, with optional hotel pickup available.
  3. What should I bring?
    We recommend sunglasses, a camera or mobile phone, and comfortable clothing. High heels, weapons, and selfie sticks are not permitted.
  4. Is the tour suitable for children?
    Children over 2 years of age are welcome. For safety reasons, infants under 2 years are not permitted.
  5. What if a passenger is over 220 lbs (100 kg)?
    Please advise us in advance so we can ensure safe weight distribution and a comfortable seating arrangement for all passengers.
  6. Is the flight private?
    Yes, private charters are available, and small-group options can be arranged for up to six passengers per flight.

Flight Details

The flight route for the Panama Canal Helicopter Tour.

Duration: 60 minutes
Departs: Albrook Airport
Passengers: Max 6

The locks of the Panama Canal seen from a helicopter.

“An absolutely unforgettable journey! From the moment we checked in until landing, everything was seamless and professional. The views of the canal, rainforest, and coastline were beyond anything I imagined. Highly recommend this tour—it’s worth every moment.”

Alexandra M. 2025

Book your private Panama Canal Helicopter Tour today and experience one of the greatest wonders of the world in the most exclusive of ways.

Tour Photos By Guests