Miraflores Locks

Spend half a day exploring the Panama Canal while learning about its history and creation. See the famed Miraflores Locks in action and take a scenic boat ride in the Panama Canal. Get picked up at your hotel or other location in Panama City, and journey to the Panama Canal Visitors Center for a detailed explanation about how the canal and famous Miraflores Locks work. Visit the museum to learn more about this important water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Drive by Miraflores Lake and the Pedro Miguel Locks as you make your way to the Chagres River. Climb aboard for a scenic boat trip across artificial Gatun Lake. Marvel at the surrounding landscape of the biggest and most important lake in the Panama Canal. Watch as large ships pass through the canal to get a sense of the magnitude of this masterpiece of engineering. Arrive at a group of islands to see different species of animals and monkeys. Return to Panama City and get dropped off at your hotel.

Experience a relaxing northbound cruise on the Panama Canal aboard the glorious Pacific Queen. Enjoy a complimentary lunch while admiring the breathtaking landscape passing slowly by you.  Pass through the Culebra Cut, the Pedro Miguel Locks, and the engineering marvel of the Miraflores Locks. Learn how the locks are controlled to allow ships to pass through, while tucking into your lunch. Feel the waves beneath your feet as you admire scenic views of the Puente Centenario, the Chagres River, and the brilliant Bridge of the Americas, connecting North and South America. Wave goodbye to the Pacific Queen but hold onto the memories, as you disembark at Gamboa before returning to Panama City.

Travel southbound through the Panama Canal during this 6-hour tour from Panama City. With your local guide, board a bus for a 45-minute journey to Gamboa, home of the Panama Canal Dredging Division. Meet your vessel, the Pacific Queen, for a trip through the Gailard cut, the Pedro Miguel Locks, and the Miraflores Locks. Admire scenic views of the Centennial Bridge, the Chagres River, and the Bridge of the Americas. Eat a complimentary lunch on board during your journey. Disembark at the Flamenco Marina in Panama City. - Journey southbound through the Panama Canal - Travel on a small vessel to see the workings of the locks up close - Navigate through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks - Box Lunch is provided onboard the boat.

Using your flight number and airline name, a driver will track your flight until it lands. After landing, the driver will be waiting for you outside Customs at Terminal 2 with a sign highlighting your name. The driver will assist you to the car with your carry-on luggage. Once in the car, the driver will head to the Miraflores Visitors Center at the Panama Canal, where you will see the ships going through the Miraflores Locks on their way from one ocean to the other. The tour will be designed for you to visit the Panama Canal during the busiest time of the day, so you can watch the process from a terrace. After leaving the Panama Canal, the guide will take you to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects 3 islands, where you will have the opportunity to see the Biodiversity Museum designed by Frank Gehry. The following destination will be the Old Town (Casco Viejo) of Panama, where you can appreciate the beauty of colonial buildings and handcrafts shops while walking the quaint, narrow roads. After the Old Town, see the modern downtown of Panama City on your way back to the airport.

Starting the day early will give you the chance to learn even more about the Panama Canal. Skip the traffic and arrive at the Miraflores Locks visitor center when it opens, so you can watch the action in peace. After the canal, head to Casco Viejo, the second city of Panama built in 1673. Walk around and enjoy the architecture and hear about its historical relevance.  Drive over the Bridge of the Americas for amazing views. Stop at the viewpoint to hear more about Panama City and its future. The Amador Causeway, Panama City's bustling boardwalk, is one of the most refreshing places in the city. End the tour with some recommendations for lunch and further exploration from your guide, leaving you with the tools to get the most out of your visit to this beautiful and modern city.

The tour begins with the pickup of participants at their hotels, where a tour guide will greet them. From there, the group will head to the imposing Panama Canal, one of the wonders of modern engineering. During the visit to the canal, participants will have the opportunity to learn about its history, operation and witness the transit of ships through the locks. Afterwards, the tour will continue to the charming Casco Viejo, the old town of Panama City. Here, visitors will explore cobblestone streets, admire colonial architecture, and visit historical and cultural sites, such as Independence Square and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The last stop will be the Amador Causeway, a coastal area that offers spectacular views of the Panama City skyline and the Bridge of the Americas. At the Causeway, participants will have time to enjoy the beauty of the landscape, visit local shops and taste Panamanian cuisine at restaurants along the avenue. Finally, the tour will conclude with participants returning to their hotels, providing a complete experience that encompasses the impressive engineering of the Panama Canal, the rich history of Casco Viejo, and the stunning views from the Amador Causeway.

Explore the highlights of Panama City in the company of a local to acquire a deeper sense of appreciation for its history and culture. Travel through the many landmarks along the Panama Canal, explore the Causeway Islands, and stroll through the historic Casco Viejo. Enjoy a transfer from your accommodation and begin your journey by heading over to the canal. Stop by the Miraflores Locks to observe how ships travel through them. Allow your guide to give you a thorough explanation of the locks' functions and the canal's operations. Move on to gaze at the famous Bridge of the Americas. Drive around the incredible Causeway Islands, sitting at the end of the canal and connected to the mainland by a narrow road. Take in the city skyline from afar, then stop for an optional Panamanian lunch at your own expense. Explore the historic district of Casco Viejo, the oldest part of the city. Walk around the charming streets as you learn about the major sites and browse through the ancient squares for the most amazing handicrafts. End your journey with a transfer back to your hotel.

A day of fun in cosmopolitan Panama City. See the town that the world built and of course, its famous canal. Usually, your first stop will be Miraflores Locks and the Panama Canal. Miraflores Locks and the Panama Canal is your next stop. Here you will watch the ships maneuver the canal's locks, learn more about the canal at the museum. You will visit an artisan market for the best Panamanian-made souvenirs before heading to the Amador for lunch (not included). Then you will take a short nature trail walk in the Punta Culebra's open-air musuem, which is owned by the Smithsonian Foundation of Panama. Save the best for last with a walking tour of the old town: Casco Viejo. Marvel at its spectacular architecture and learn about the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be back back in your hotel around 16:00, unless you stay in Casco to soak up the rest of the afternoon on your own.

Experience the Panama Canal in the most authentic way, by crossing it on board a ship. This 6-hour tour from Panama City will take you to the world famous Miraflores Locks, where you can watch huge ocean-going vessels transiting the canal just a few feet away. Your partial Panama Canal transit starts with a coach ride to Gamboa, where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. On arrival, board the cruise ship and enter the canal at the north end of Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut, also known as Culebra Cut due to its serpent-like curve, was carved through the Continental Divide, making it one of the canal’s most popular attractions. Travel for 8.2 miles (13.7 kilometers) on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you transit the Cut you will observe the continuous maintenance that the area requires, and the work in progress for the Panama Canal expansion project. View the new Centennial Bridge before you enter Pedro Miguel Locks. Here your vessel will be lowered 29.5 feet (9 meters) in one step. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks. At Miraflores Locks the vessel will be lowered another 52.5 feet (16 meters) in 2 distinct steps. Once at the Pacific Ocean, sail to the beautiful Flamenco Marina to disembark. On the way to Flamenco, pass under the Bridge of the Americas, and admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City's spectacular skyline.

Live an enriching experience at each stop: Heading to the hotel and picking you up at 7:30am, we start the tour visiting: -Miraflores Visitors Center ( The Panama canal) you will watch the vessels doing its lockage and how the Panama Canal works its operation. Also, you will whatch the movie in IMAX technology narrated by the famous actro Morgan Freeman. -Administration Building (The Monument of George Washington Goethal Built in 1914.) -Casco Antiguo (The Colonial City of Panamá) You will visit Tomas Herrera Square, Independence Square, French Square, Simon Bolivar Square and some church such as: Mercy Church, San José Church, The Metropolitan Cathedral among others. -Amador Causeway A beautiful place located in the pacific side of Panama, comprised of three Islands, you will stop by at Flamengo's Islands where you be able to take picture with the famous Panamá sign. Also you will visit the duty free store. - America's Bridge You will see the mouth of the entrance to the Panamá Canal, also the beautiful view of the harbours Once you have enjoyed all the places I will drive you back to the hotel. I can provide you cortesy time to Lunch at the Fish Market (Optional)