Shore
Excursions
Panama
Selection Criteria & Port Overview
Shore
Selection Criteria – Panama Shore Excursions
For Panama, the shore excursion portfolio has been intentionally and strategically designed around a limited number of core tours that represent the strongest, most requested, and operationally reliable experiences available at each port.
Based on these core tours, cruise lines develop multiple SKUs (commercial variations of the same excursion based on duration, group size, or service level). For this reason, rather than presenting an extensive list of individual tours, the portfolio features a curated selection of the primary products available at each port, serving as the foundation for all commercial variations.
This approach ensures operational consistency, product clarity, and scalability while maintaining the commercial flexibility required by cruise lines.
Cruise Ports
in Panama
Unlike Costa Rica, Panama operates with only two main cruise ports for shore excursion programs:
- Colón Port (Caribbean)
- Panama City / Balboa (Pacific)
Although there are other well-known destinations in Panama, it is important to clarify their role within the cruise industry:
Bocas del Toro: This destination is served by Panama Trails, a company with which there is an active commercial cooperation and mutual respect agreement. For this reason, TAM does not develop or market cruise shore excursions in Bocas del Toro.
San Blas: Although it is a recognized destination, it does not operate under the traditional shore excursion model. Cruise ships typically select a specific island, and the operation is managed directly by the cruise line in coordination with the local port agent. The cruise line deploys its own logistics—including food, furniture, and equipment—to create a private beach day experience on the selected island.
Accordingly, for product development, website content, and commercial purposes, Panama is presented exclusively through these two cruise ports.
Port of Colón
(Caribbean Coast)
One of Panama’s most iconic cruise ports, offering close encounters with the Panama Canal, lush rainforest, and rich cultural heritage:
- Panama Canal Partial Transit & Gatun Lake Cruise
- Gatun Lake Wildlife Safari
- Panama Canal Engineering & Locks Experience
- San Lorenzo Fortress & Caribbean Coast Heritage Tour
- Gatun Lake & Rainforest Discovery
- Embera Indigenous Village Experience
- Colón Highlights & Gatun Lake Experience
Port of Panama City
(Pacific Coast)
One of Panama’s most iconic cruise ports, offering close encounters with the Panama Canal, lush rainforest, and rich cultural heritage:
- Panama Canal Partial Transit & Gatun Lake Cruise
- Gatun Lake Wildlife Safari
- Panama Canal Engineering & Locks Experience
- San Lorenzo Fortress & Caribbean Coast Heritage Tour
- Gatun Lake & Rainforest Discovery
- Embera Indigenous Village Experience
- Colón Highlights & Gatun Lake Experience