Viewpoints, Museums and Dense Nature
The Panama Canal is the most popular tourist venue in Panama and it is a must-see for anyone visiting the country. Built to shorten travel time between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, after ten years the Panama Canal was inaugurated on August 15, 1914. Previously, at the end of the 19th century, the French had tried to build it led by the same man who built the Suez Canal, but diseases, technical errors and misuse of funds led to the failure of the plans. The Panama Canal has a series of tourist tours in both the Pacific and the Atlantic that will take you to experience its history and fascinating operation.
Travel the Canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic
Venture on a tour of the Panama Canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. Tour agencies offer full-day tours that depart from Panama City. You will travel on a boat through the three sets of locks that make up the canal. The Journey includes discovering Gatun Lake and the Chagres River, places where you will learn about the history and construction of the canal with an expert guide during the trip.
Discover the Miraflores Locks
You can discover these locks located at the entrance to the Pacific Ocean by visiting the Miraflores Visitor Center. From the terrace on the ground floor, you will take impressive photos of the huge ships carrying merchandise to all parts of the world and the operation of the canal. Immerse yourself in the history of this engineering marvel by visiting its interactive museum and watching a documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman himself in the IMAX theater.
Watch the Agua Clara Locks from Above
If you want to see the operation of the new expanded locks on the Atlantic side, you have to go to the Agua Clara Visitor Center in the province of Colon. These locks are the largest and from the enormous viewpoint you will see how the huge Neo Panamax ships cross es towards Gatun Lake or the Atlantic. Afterwards, visit the screening room to learn the story of thousands of men carrying out one of the largest projects in history.
Have an Adventure in Gatun Lake
Enjoy a panoramic tour of historic Gatun Lake, a tour you will enjoy learning all about the wildlife and forests around. This tour will take you to explore some of the islands formed after the creation of what was once the largest artificial lake in the world. With a little luck and with the help of your guide, you will see crocodiles, alligators, sloths, monkeys and countless native birds in this natural sanctuary.
Go Fishing to One of the Wonders of the World
If you like fishing, Panama is the ideal country, but if you go fishing in the Panama Canal it is even better. Tourism agencies offer this unforgettable experience where you can tour different areas of Gatun Lake and fish for fish such as snook bass, tarpon and peacock. You will also be able to visit islands covered in vegetation, ancient mountain tops before the area were flooded during the construction of the canal, today it is home to howler monkeys and sdswhite-faced capuchins.
We invite you to also visit these places:
▪️Pedro Miguel Locks, a place where you can watch the passage of ships for free.
▪️Viewpoint of the Bridge of the Americas, relax watching the entrance of the Canal and the Balboa port.
▪️Canal Museum, here you can delve into history with interactive exhibits.
