Panama Canal

On your next vacation, visit the Panama Canal, a 20th century mega engineering feat that amazes every visitor. Tour the Canal and its basin to discover its important economic, cultural and environmental impact. You can also participate in all kinds of tours and activities to explore its every facet. Discover the Canal and let yourself be swept away by this manmade wonder.

Getting There

The Miraflores Visitor Center is located just a 15-minute drive away from downtown Panama City. Meanwhile, the Agua Clara Visitor Center is an hour's drive from the capital, close to the city of Colon.

Container ship sailing near Bridge Las Americas , Panama Canal, Panama City

History

Ten years after its initial construction began, the Panama Canal opened on August 15, 1914. More than 100 years later, and already owned by the Panamanian government, the Panama Canal inaugurated its new construction phase in June 2016. This expansion project includes larger locks to cover the capacity of new commercial vessels. Visit the Panama Canal Museum in the Old Town to learn about its construction and operation.

Vertical view of Miraflores Locks, Container ship transit Panama Canal

Visit the locks in Miraflores and Agua Clara

On the Pacific side, visit the Miraflores Visitor Center to watch the ships pass from its terraces. You can also delve deeper into the history of this engineering work in an exclusive IMAX film about the Panama Canal that’s narrated by Morgan Freeman.

When you visit the Caribbean, make sure to pay a visit to the Agua Clara locks, which are part of the expansion project and the largest locks on the route. From the viewpoint, you will also be able to view part of this section along with the new bridge that connects the city of Colon with the towns on the coast below.

Tourists on a sunny day sailing Panama Canal

Tours along the Panama Canal

Are you looking for new adventures? Explore the Canal from every angle and experience it firsthand with tours along the Panama Canal. Departing from the ports located on the Causeway and Gamboa, you can embark on a partial crossing of the Canal and spend an afternoon sailing or fishing on the islands of Gatun Lake. Contemplate the immensity of the ships that cross Panamá and throughout the tour you will be able to spot birds, monkeys and other types of wildlife.

For hiking lovers, the Soberania, Camino de Cruces and Chagres national parks are the perfect place to stroll along the Canal’s basin and discover its incredible biodiversity.

You can also learn about the historical and ethnic heritage of this area that is so important to all Panamanians. Along the Chagres River, you can meet some of the Embera, the indigenous people who have lived and protected the forests of the Canal long before its construction.

While in the area, you can also tour the Causeway, three islets connected by land excavated during the construction of the Canal. While you are in the area, make sure to also visit Punta Culebra, a visitor center dedicated to exploring and discovering the natural world through science.

Don't wait any longer and set off on your next adventure. Be amazed by the history of this incredible feat of construction and learn about the biodiversity that surrounds the Panama Canal.