Guide To Visit The Panama Canal, An Engineering Marvel
It is a spectacular work of engineering that is world famous, and it is no wonder. An infrastructure that was inaugurated in 1914 and has 82 kilometers. Below, we offer you information that will be useful if you plan to visit the Panama Canal during your stay in this country. Take note.
The Panama Canal, an engineering marvel
The Panama Canal is a great work of engineering that allows the passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. The country of Panama itself and the canal, its greatest tourist attraction, have become a highly sought after destination.
You can easily visit the Panama Canal while sightseeing in the country and watch the ships begin the 8-hour journey from one ocean to another. Or, better yet, you can personally experience the passage from one ocean to another aboard a cruise ship.
Visit the Panama Canal from land
The Panama Canal can be observed from several points. From any of them you will be able to know interesting information about the infrastructure and see for yourself how it works.
The Miraflores locks, the most visited
They are the most visited due to their proximity to Panama City. They are located at the entrance and exit of the canal on the Pacific side. We recommend visiting them between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. or between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. During those hours, you are more likely to see ships passing through the locks.
If you go to the Miraflores locks, you cannot miss the Miraflores Visitor Center. It is located to the east of the locks. It has a theater, three viewing points, shops, a restaurant overlooking the canal, a gift shop and four exhibition rooms.
The Atlantic & Pacific Co. Restaurant offers buffets for lunch (11:30 AM to 4:00 PM) and à la carte dinners (4:00 PM to 11:00 PM). Nothing like tasting Panamanian food in the restaurant while admiring the locks.
The Pedro Miguel locks
Less than 5 kilometers northwest of the Miraflores locks are the Pedro Miguel locks. In this place there is no infrastructure for visitors. You just have to get there, park and go to the fence.
From there you can see the locks and ships as they pass, with the Centennial Bridge in the background. The advantages of this option is that it is free and open 24 hours a day.
The Agua Clara locks
These locks were part of the Panama Canal expansion project. They were inaugurated in 2017 and allow the passage of Neopanamax vessels. They are found on the Atlantic side of the canal, in the province of Colón. If you are in the capital and want to visit them, you will have to travel by car for at least an hour.
It is not yet possible to predict when the ships will pass, as these locks have only been in operation for a very short time. Still, you are more likely to see Neopanamax after noon. The Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center has a screening room and a restaurant.
The Gatun Locks
After the inauguration of the Agua Clara locks, the Gatún visitor center was closed. Even so, its swing bridge is still working. It is the only way to cross the canal by road on the Atlantic side.
This is an impressive experience, allowing you to get as close as possible to the lock chambers. It is even more impressive if there is a ship in the chamber.
Or if you prefer … cross it on a cruise
There are many cruise ships that go through the Panama Canal. This is undoubtedly the best way to experience the 80 kilometers of infrastructure. Many of the most renowned cruise companies in the world offer trips that will take you through the channel: Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Disney, etc.
Thanks to this fabulous channel, ships save the more than 14,000 kilometers that they would have to travel around South America to get from one ocean to another.
This has been a short guide that will be very useful if you plan to visit the Panama Canal. Before you you will have an incredible work of engineering that will make you reflect and admire the power of technology and the human being.
