Throughout history, humans have come up with incredible marvels of engineering. They include the Roman roads and aqueducts, the Egyptian pyramids, cities like Machu Picchu and the tall skyscrapers that dominate the skyline of many a city. Many of these sites now only function as tourist attractions but there's one that is still used for its original purpose. With the different options for Panama Canal travel you can admire this construction and experience it in action.
The country of Panama is effectively split in two by it's most famous attraction. The Canal stretches over almost 60 miles between Balboa on the Pacific coast and Colon on the Caribbean coast. Ships used to have to sail around Cape Horn in order to travel between the Pacific and the Caribbean. This perilous voyage could take months but since the construction's completion in 1914, they now don't even need a full day.
There are three sets of locks that help ships to pass through. A ship sailing from Balboa starts out at sea level until it reaches the Miraflores Locks, where it is raised. Then it sails across the Lago de Miraflores to the Pedro Miguel Locks, which raise it further. Now it continues on through a stretch known as the Gaillard Cut and across the man-made Lago Gatun. The last set of locks it will encounter are the Gatun Locks which will take it back down to sea level for the final stretch.
There is no better way to see how the locks operate than to be on a ship or a boat going through them. Some companies offer tours that will take you through at least the Miraflores Locks but can take you all the way to Colon too. Another option is to charter your own yacht for the voyage. Most spectacular is to be on a huge cruise liner, though.
Crossings are expensive and if you're traveling on a tight budget, there is always the option of finding employment on a boat and letting the owner carry the costs. Cruise liners often have vacancies for various jobs. If you don't want to commit to a long contract, ask around in Panama City to find a position as line-handler only for the crossing. Usually this doesn't pay well if at all but you'll have a unique experience.
Another way to see the locks in action is from the sidelines. Take the bus to the town of Gamboa and for much of the way you'll have the Canal to your left. For a closer look, ask a taxi to take you from the capital city to the Miraflores Locks. If you're in Colon, go to the Gatun Locks instead.
Once a day there is a passenger train that travels along the Canal between Panama City and Colon as well. The journey takes about an hour. You'll be treated to views not only of the engineering marvel but also of the rainforest-covered landscape.
The high season for Panama Canal travel lasts from December to around April. However, the rainy season usually have sunny mornings with showers only in the afternoons and this is a good time to travel if you want to avoid he crowds. To pass through on a cruise liner, you're dependent on the timing of the cruise season.
The country of Panama is effectively split in two by it's most famous attraction. The Canal stretches over almost 60 miles between Balboa on the Pacific coast and Colon on the Caribbean coast. Ships used to have to sail around Cape Horn in order to travel between the Pacific and the Caribbean. This perilous voyage could take months but since the construction's completion in 1914, they now don't even need a full day.
There are three sets of locks that help ships to pass through. A ship sailing from Balboa starts out at sea level until it reaches the Miraflores Locks, where it is raised. Then it sails across the Lago de Miraflores to the Pedro Miguel Locks, which raise it further. Now it continues on through a stretch known as the Gaillard Cut and across the man-made Lago Gatun. The last set of locks it will encounter are the Gatun Locks which will take it back down to sea level for the final stretch.
There is no better way to see how the locks operate than to be on a ship or a boat going through them. Some companies offer tours that will take you through at least the Miraflores Locks but can take you all the way to Colon too. Another option is to charter your own yacht for the voyage. Most spectacular is to be on a huge cruise liner, though.
Crossings are expensive and if you're traveling on a tight budget, there is always the option of finding employment on a boat and letting the owner carry the costs. Cruise liners often have vacancies for various jobs. If you don't want to commit to a long contract, ask around in Panama City to find a position as line-handler only for the crossing. Usually this doesn't pay well if at all but you'll have a unique experience.
Another way to see the locks in action is from the sidelines. Take the bus to the town of Gamboa and for much of the way you'll have the Canal to your left. For a closer look, ask a taxi to take you from the capital city to the Miraflores Locks. If you're in Colon, go to the Gatun Locks instead.
Once a day there is a passenger train that travels along the Canal between Panama City and Colon as well. The journey takes about an hour. You'll be treated to views not only of the engineering marvel but also of the rainforest-covered landscape.
The high season for Panama Canal travel lasts from December to around April. However, the rainy season usually have sunny mornings with showers only in the afternoons and this is a good time to travel if you want to avoid he crowds. To pass through on a cruise liner, you're dependent on the timing of the cruise season.
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