Panama Canal

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39 Reviews | Add review

Address: Central Panama, Panama
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free; prices for tours vary widely

ATTRACTION Keywords:
Must-Do Experience, Sailing, Pier / Waterfront / Port

3:35 AM Sunday, May 26
Scattered showers. Broken clouds. Hot.
7 day forecast

By any estimation among the grandest public works projects in the history of humankind, the Panama Canal is an engineering triumph that cost US$350 million, claimed some 27,000 lives, and transformed global trade forever. Today, it is undergoing a massive and politicized US$5.3 billion retrofit, reinforcing its place as the strategic lynchpin of world shipping, surrounded with international intrigue on a scale we civilians can only imagine.

Travelers can enjoy the canal in several ways, beginning with the excellent Miraflores Locks Visitor Center just outside the capital. More ambitious explorers can book a variety of tours taking in all or part of the 77km (48mi) trip across the continent.

Latest Reviews

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All Panama Canal Reviews

Review by Nana, March 2013
Doing what: Panama Canal Partial Transit Sightseeing Cruise

Very interesting tour. Great way to learn about the engineering feats accomplished by the United States. Can be very hot. Do not forget sunblock. Food was very good. Guide was very interesting and informative, but the P A system was hard to hear in some areas of the boat. All in all a tour you should not miss while visiting Panama.

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Review by John J P, February 2013
Doing what: Panama Canal Partial Transit Sightseeing Cruise

This cruise was worth its weight in gold. The commentator was absolutely fabulous. His voice was clear and sharp (I am hearing impaired and had no problem understanding) To all potential visitors; Its a must.

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Review by Charles S, February 2013
Doing what: Panama Canal Partial Transit Sightseeing Cruise

Wonderful experience. The guide was informative and entertaining. The food was more than ample and quite tasty. The boat ride was very pleasing on it's own.

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Practical Info

Several operators offer full-transit cruises, which ply the entire 77km (48mi) length of the canal in just under ten hours, most of which is spent waiting for the locks to empty and fill.

Many travelers are happier with a half-canal trip that traverses only one lock, or even shorter tours around Lake Gatún.

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