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Most people want to visit the Panama Canal, our most famous attraction. It is considered to be one of the most impressive engineering feats in history. Over 900,000 ships have crossed this shortcut connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic See. It takes about 10 hours to do this journey which is 82 kilometers (51 miles) long. This passage saves ships about 8369 kilometers (5,200 miles) of journey.
Considered one of the seven Modern World Wonders, you can visit the Panama Canal in your vacation to Panama. There are several ways to experience the canal. This really depends on your time, interest and budget. In this article we will list all the ways.
Learn about the History of the Panama Canal.
Panama Canal Transit
The most obvious way is to visit the Panama Canal is to book a Panama Canal transit. Many people visit Panama City on a cruise boat which includes the transit. However, it is possible to book this tour on its own. Most transits are partial which means they cross two locks: Miraflores and Pedro Miguel on the Pacific side. Ships are raised 18 meters in two steps on the first lock and then 9 meters more in one step on the second lock.
Those who want to visit the Panama Canal on a transit can expect to start either from the Amador Causeway or from Gamboa. Transport to and from Gamboa is included in the cost, as well as bilingual guide, lunch, soda and water. This tour takes about 5 or 6 hours.
Partial Panama Canal crossings are done on Saturday and Sunday. Other dates are available periodically. Full canal crossings are only available once a month. Private or group charters are also available.
Panama City and Canal Tour
Those who visit Panama for the first time can book a Panama City and Canal Tour which will take you to the main attractions of the city. This tour starts in our neighborhood, Casco Viejo, with a walk where you will learn about the history of Panama. Visit the plazas in the colonial quarter and see the architecture.
The next stop on the tour is the Amador Causeway which was built using the rocks and dirt excavated from the canal construction. This causeway offers great views of the city, ideal for photos. Stop at the Punta Culebra Nature Center which is part of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Cross the Bridge of the Americas for another great photo location. The guide will take you through the former Canal Zone area. Stop for lunch and then go visit the Panama Canal. Watch the IMAX film narrated by Morgan Freeman and watch the ships cross in the Miraflores Locks.
Monkey Island Tour
The monkey island tour is my favorite way to visit the Panama Canal. Aboard a small ship onto Lake Gatun, which is the second largest artificial lake in the world. Depart from Gamboa marina through the Chagres River passing by massive freighters and cruise boats.
This area is full of wildlife, it is possible to see turtles and crocodiles swimming or sunbathing on the sides. Since this area is close to the Soberania park, you will be able to see many species of birds. Although the main attraction here are the monkeys. Your captain will take food to feed them as they jump on the boat. The white faced capuchin monkey and Geoffrey’s tamarin monkeys come down, while the howler monkeys can only be heard.
Panama Canal Kayaking
A very unique way to visit the Panama Canal is on a kayak. It is not possible to go through the locks or the main navigation channel because of security, but there are designated areas where it is possible to go. Chagres and Soberania National park are located within the Panama Canal making this area rich in wildlife and flora. These Panama national parks also do a great job of protecting the water that the canal needs in order to operate.
During your Panama Canal kayak tour you will visit the Panama Canal in same areas as the monkey island tour. But you will also go further along the canal passing by the Barro Colorado Island which is managed by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. This full day tour starts from the public ramp in Gamboa. A minimum of four people is required in order to visit the Panama Canal this way.
Historic Train, Fort and Canal Tour
This visit to the Panama Canal is a bit different since you will also ride the historic Panama Canal Railway from Panama City to Colon. This railroad was built between 1850 to 1855 during the Gold Rush to transport people wanting to go to California. Later it was used to build the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal Railway runs for 47.6 miles (76.60 kilometers) from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean in an hour.
If the train is not operating (it has been on an irregular schedule since COVID), you will go by bus to the new Agua Clara locks in Colon. This Panama Canal visitor center was built during the expansion to allow people to see panoramic views of the larger ships and the Gatun Lake. It also has a projection room which narrates the history of the Panama Canal and how it was built. Those who want to do some walking can go on the country road or the ecological trail.
Finally you will cross the newest bridge over the Panama Canal, which is the only one in the Atlantic side, to head into the Chagres National Park. The Fort of San Lorenzo was built at the end of the 16th century to guard the mouth of the Chagres river. This was one of the two routes used by the Spanish conquistadors to move gold back to Spain. The other route ended in Portobelo and both sites share a UNESCO World Heritage designation.
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