Panama has a few lakes that travelers can visit, the most notable of which are Lake Gatún and Lake Bayano. Lake Gatún is an artificial lake that forms an integral, 21-mile (33-km) section of the Panama Canal. It’s the largest body of water in Panama and has islands that boast a diverse range of plants and animals. Visiting this lake while exploring the Panama Canal is a top activity of this region. Lake Bayano is located in the western Darién. This artificial lake sees few visitors but has good opportunities for exploring caves and going bird watching.