I have to admit that at first, I thought of the Panama Canal as one of those obligatory stops, that we shouldn’t skip on our trip to Panama, but at the same time, I expected that it would ultimately leave us a little underwhelmed.
I’m happy to tell you that I was completely wrong and that I returned from our visit to the Miraflores Locks with a newfound admiration for the enormous construction and engineering effort, as well as the delicate process by which the enormous ships are painstakingly manoeuvred through the narrow locks.
Thus, I now agree that the Miraflores Locks are one of the must-see attractions in the country and should be a part of every Panama City Itinerary. Read on for everything you need to know about visiting this fascinating place.
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Guided Tours of the Miraflores Locks
If you prefer a guided tour of the locks without the hassle of sorting out your own transport, there are several guided tours from Panama City available. Many of them also include other destinations, like pretty Gatun Lake, while others are specifically aimed at people having a layover in Panama City, like this well rated tour. Have a look below for more options.
A Bit of History
The idea of a canal across Panama actually dates back to the early 16th century, when the Spanish conquistadores were looking for a speedier way to transport their ill-gained loot from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast.
However, it wasn’t until the late 19th century that technology had developed enough to tackle the task. The first attempt was made by the French under Ferdinand de Lesseps, who previously oversaw the construction of the Suez Canal.
Conditions proved to be much more difficult, however, and the French construction effort failed miserably and furthermore resulted in the death of over 20,000 workers. One of the problems was that they tried to build the canal at sea-level without any locks, which turned out to be impossible.
Finally, the United States took over the project and, with a different technological approach and an eradication campaign against mosquitoes spreading Malaria and Yellow Fever, actually managed to complete the Canal in 1914.
The Miraflores Locks are one of several spots in the canal, where the huge ships passing through are lifted or lowered for their transit, which was an impressive feat of engineering for the early 20th century, especially if you consider the huge scale of the operation.
What to Expect From the Visit
As one of the premier tourist sites in the country, it’s clear a lot of effort was put into making a visit to the Miraflores Locks as memorable as possible, so they added a lot of attractions to the visitor centre, including a Museum and an IMAX Theatre.
That said, the observation decks are still the main reason to drop by. The process by which the huge container ships are navigated through the narrow locks by the small electrical locomotives, called mulas is fascinating to say the least.
It’s not easy to describe the experience of watching a towering hulk of steel pass by at a distance of 20m or so. The upper floors were closed when we were there, but the platform on the first floor already allows for a pretty good vantage point, and there’s a running commentary in English and Spanish telling you what exactly is happening at the moment.
We watched a Chinese and a Norwegian Ship transit the locks and were delighted by the fact that their crews were just as much in tourist mode as we were, happily waving to us spectators and taking selfies of their own transit.
The visitor centre also includes a museum, which unfortunately was closed for remodelling when we were there, but there are a few information boards in the viewing area that tell you about the history and technical details of the canal and the locks.
Finally, the admission fee also includes an IMAX movie about the history of the canal (narrated by Morgan Freeman – Who else?). Normally, I tend to find stuff like that a bit gimmicky, but this documentary is actually quite interesting and has pretty great visuals, so I suggest you check it out if you can spare the 40 minutes it takes.
What Are the Opening Hours?
The visitor centre is open from 8AM to 6PM, while the ticket office closes one hour earlier at 5PM. Double-Check the times here.
Miraflores Locks Entrance Fee
With a fee of 15$ for non-residents, visiting the locks isn’t exactly cheap. The entrance fee includes both the locks themselves and the IMAX visit. Residents pay 3$.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Locks?
Ships usually pass through the locks in the early morning and late afternoon, with a long pause in between. You can check the current transit schedule on this site.
How Much Time Do You Need?
We spent a little over two hours at the locks, in which time we watched two ships pass the locks and visited the IMAX Experience, which is included in the ticket price. When we were there, the museum was closed for remodeling though, and when it’s open you should probably schedule at least three hours.
How to Get to Miraflores Locks from Panama City
To get to the locks by public transport, it’s easiest to start from Panama City’s Albrook Bus Terminal. Here, Miraflores-bound buses leave every thirty minutes from Platform D between the Terminal and the Albrook Mall.
Make sure to get a MetroCard before boarding the bus. You can buy and charge them at machines inside the terminal. The trip costs 25 cents each way and takes about 15 minutes.
Miraflores Locks Live Cam
Check out the Miraflores Locks Webcam, if you want to quickly check, whether ships are passing through the locks or just want to get a first idea of the place.
Where to Stay in Panama City
One of the nicest areas to stay in the city is the Casco Viejo Neighbourhood. We stayed at the affordable Hotel Caracas, but there are also well-rated mid-range options available, like Las Clementinas, as well as luxury options like the American Trade Hotel.
For more options, you can check out my guide to the city’s top hotels: The 9 Best Hotels in Panama City for Different Travel Styles.
See Also
A Great 2-Day Itinerary for Panama City, Panama
Wildlife Spotting in Panama – 18 Exotic Animals and Where to See Them